Pak military hierarchy reshuffle likely before year end

Islamabad, Mar 17 (ANI): The military hierarchy will see a reshuffle in a phased manner and before the end of this year, over half of the formations would reportedly have new faces as their commanders.

The shuffling, described by a military officer as a routine process, will happen because of the impending retirement of six three-star generals and a number of others completing their tenures on command or staff positions, The Dawn reports.

Corps formations in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan and Gujranwala are due to get new commanders.

The commander for Karachi Corps has already been named Lt-Gen Ejaz Chaudhry following the incumbent Lt-Gen Zahirul Islam's appointment, as the director-general of the ISI.

Reports suggest that out of the nine corps formations, five will have new commanders.

The ISI had already announced that Lt. Gen. Zahir will soon replace Lt-Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha as its chief.

One of the high-profile changes being expected is that of Chief of General Staff (CGS) Lt Gen Waheed Arshad, who may be posted out as a corps commander.

Lt. Gen Arshad, who has been in this position since Oct 2010, is being tipped as the next Multan corps commander.

Others say he could be given the Gujranwala command, which according to one insider, under the initial scheme of things, was to be taken up by Quartermaster General Lt Gen Sajjad Ghani.

Lt. Gen Arshad is in turn likely to be replaced by one of his deputies, Vice Chief of General Staff (VCGS) Lt Gen Nasir Janjua.

The generals retiring this year include: Inspector General Communications and IT Lt Gen Tanvir Tahir (March 15), ISI director-general Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha (March 18), deputy chairman of Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority Lt Gen Sardar Mehmood Ali (April), NDU president Lt Gen Agha Mohammad Umer Farooq (July), Heavy Industries Taxila chairman Lt Gen Ayaz Saleem Rana (October) and Multan Corps Commander Lt Gen Shafqaat Mehmood (November). (ANI)