The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan has approved the appointment of Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum as the new (Inter-Services Intelligence) ISI chief, ending the standoff between him and the Pakistan Army. Imran Khan delayed the formal appointment of the ISI chief, fueling speculation of a rift between him and Army Chief General Bajwa.
As per the laws in Pakistan, the Prime Minister has the right to choose a new ISI chief in consultation with the Army Chief. The army chief sent his recommendation on 6 October 2021, but it took 20 days for PM Imran Khan to approve the appointment of the new ISI chief.
A statement issued by the PMO in Islamabad said Khan “looked at and accepted the appointment” of the new ISI chief. Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum will take over from current ISI chief Faiz Hameed on November 19. Hameed is fighting to become the army chief after General Bajwa’s current term ends in November 2022.
The Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday issued a notification appointing Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum as the new chief of ISI.
Will take over as Lt Gen Faiz Hameed #dgisi Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum will take over till November 19. pic.twitter.com/BxATglfld1
– Raja Arshad Raja Arshad (King Arshad56) 26 October 2021
Imran Khan was known to be in favor of extending the tenure of Faiz Hameed as he played a key role in the development of the Taliban. There were reports of a rift between the Prime Minister of Pakistan and the Army Chief. A Pakistani minister had to come forward to defend his leader. “I see on social media, there are many people who have desires; I want to tell them that the Prime Minister’s Office will never lower the honor of the Pakistan Army and the Army Chief. And the COAS and the Army will never take any such step that hurts the honor or civil order of the Prime Minister of Pakistan,” said Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry.
The post of ISI chief is considered very important in Pakistan because in their history of 73 years, ISI has dominated its foreign policies with countries like India, America etc. Even though the final decision-making authority rests with the PM, but looking at Pakistan’s history, it is safe to say that the army chief wants the ISI chief to be a person close to him.
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