New Pakistan army chief to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman before taking charge: report

Islamabad: Saudi Prime Minister and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman will arrive in Pakistan on November 21.

A Saudi official said that a security team would visit Pakistan next week ahead of the Prince’s visit to Islamabad.

Investigative journalist Azaz Syed claimed that among other officials who are due to meet the Saudi Crown Prince would also be the upcoming Pakistani army chief.

He said that the summary for the army chief’s appointment is expected to be moved on November 18.

The journalist said that Lt Gen Asim Munir, Lt General Azhar Abbas, Lt. General Sahir Shamshad, Lt. General Faiz Hameed and Lt. General Muhammad Amir are the contenders for the slots of the army chief and the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.

Syed also dispelled the notion that Lt. General Asim Munir’s retirement a couple of days before the retirement of outgoing Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa would inable him to become the new army chief.

He said that if the prime minister decides to promote Lt.General Asim Munir before his retirement date on November 27 his promotion would start from the day the premier appoints him as the new army chief.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa retires on November 29.