Military and Government on military appointments

Posted on October 20, 2021
Muhammad Arif : Chairman Centre of Advisory Services for Islamic Banking and Finance (CAIF), Former Head of FSCD SBP, Former Head of Research ArifHabib Investments and Member IFSB Task Force for development of Islamic Money Market, Former Member of Access to Justice Fund Supreme Court of Pakistan

Many speculations are being made particularly in international press about the departure of Pakistan’s Intelligence Chief (ISI) FaizHameed, the favorite of Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan. America is also a big factor in this.

However, it is being said that Pakistan Army Chief General QamarJavedBajwais in trouble after differences and going to Kabul without approval. According to media reports, ISI chief Faiz hadaso gone to Kabul last month without Bajwa’s approval. Due to this move of Faiz, Pakistan was tarnished in many countries including America. It was also alleged that Pakistan’s army and government were cooperating with the Taliban. Let us know what is the role of America in the withdrawal of Faiz.

The ongoing standoff between Pakistan Army Chief Bajwa and Faiz weighed heavily on the ISAI chief. Faiz was Imran’s favorite, so Bajwa was looking for a solid chance to remove him. Bajwa got a golden opportunity during Faiz’s visit to Kabul after the withdrawal of American troops in Afghanistan. Faiz’s visit to Kabul cost him dearly. America had also registered its deep objection to this visit of Faiz. Earlier, the US had said that Pakistan was playing a big role in the formation of the Taliban government. At that time also America had given a strong message to Pakistan. The US had said that Pakistan would have to bear the brunt of this. A bill has also been introduced in the US Senate regarding relations between Pakistan and the Taliban. Pak is shocked about this bill.

Faiz was accused of attending a tea party at the Serena Hotel with Taliban leaders. He is also accused of helping establish Taliban rule in Afghanistan. The special thing is that Faiz was the choice of Prime Minister Imran. He was the contender for the Pakistan Army Chief the next year. Faiz was removed from the post of ISI chief and sent as chief of Peshawar Corps Commander. Politics has started on this in Pakistan. It is being said that Pakistan has done this work under pressure from America.

The discussion between the army chief and the ISI chief has been going on for nearly three years. The differences started between the two over an army housing project in Rawalpindi. Due to being close to Imran, Bajwa was given an extension of three years and this tug of war came in front of the country. After the differences, Faiz started taking decisions many times without taking Bajwa into confidence.

After the withdrawal of American troops, the Taliban took control of Kabul as well as the whole of Afghanistan on 15 August. However, many countries of the world, including America, suspected that the Pakistani army and ISI were helping the Taliban from behind the scenes. In early September, General FaizHameed quietly arrived in Kabul. He had tea with top Taliban leaders at the Serena Hotel in Kabul. Incidentally, a woman journalist from Britain was present in this hotel. The female journalist took photos of Faiz and asked some questions. In response to this, Faiz only said – All is well.

Pakistan is restless with the bill recently introduced in the US Senate. Actually, this bill has been introduced in the Senate by 22 senators of the Republican Party. This bill is about America’s counter-terrorism campaign in Afghanistan and its accountability. In this bill, the Biden administration has been asked to respond to the decision to expedite the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan. Second, there has been a demand for an inquiry into Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan. Pakistan is restless with the second demand for the bill. The bill calls for an independent investigation into Pakistan’s role in Afghanistan’s pre- and post-Taliban control. Along with this, there has also been a demand for a probe by Pakistan regarding the Taliban attack in Panjshir Valley.

It was first reported on October 7 that Lt Gen FaizHameed, the former chief of Pak ISI, is in the reckoning to succeed General QamarJavedBajwa as the next chief of the Pakistani armed forces.

The Pakistan government maintains that there is no conflict between prime minister Imran Khan and General QamarJavedBajwa, the influential chief of the country’s armed forces, over the recent appointment of Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum as the new director-general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the top spy agency of Pakistan. The buzz over differences in opinion between Prime Minister Khan and the Pakistani army chief originated last week after the appointment of Nadeem Ahmed Anjum as the ISI chief was announced. No relevant notification was issued by Imran Khan’s office, which led to renewed speculations about a conflict between the civilian government and the army.

For context, Pakistan’s law states that the prime minister has the right and prerogative to appoint the ISI chief in consultation with the army chief. Pointing this out, the country’s information minister FawadChaudhry said during a press conference last week that Prime Minister Imran Khan and army chief Bajwa discussed the matter in a “long sitting” and the premier had subsequently taken the Cabinet into confidence over the issue.

However, media publications indicate that things may not have gone as smoothly as Chaudhry claims. According to reports, Bajwa made it clear to Khan that the prime minister should not exceed his brief by interfering in military matters and that Lt General FaizHameed, who Khan wanted to retain as the ISI chief, could be given an extension till November 15 but not beyond that date. Senior Pakistani journalist NajamSethi said on a TV show that the prime minister’s stance on the issue has resulted in a standoff, and this is the reason why a notification has still not been issued by his office.

It was first reported on October 7 that Lt Gen FaizHameed, the former chief of Pak ISI, is in the reckoning to succeed General QamarJavedBajwa, who used to be his senior at the Baloch regiment, as the next chief of the Pakistani armed forces. The former spymaster is now the Peshawar Corps commander, a move which Pakistan watchers say was carefully crafted to build up towards Hameed’s future position as the army chief, a mandatory requirement being the experience commanding a Corps level formation for at least one year.

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