Pakistan on Thursday named Lieutenant-General Asim Munir as leader of the navy, an company that performs an exceptionally influential position withinside the governance of the nuclear-armed nation.
Munir, who turned into additionally Pakistan’s leader spy, will take over from outgoing General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who retires later this month after a six-12 months term, the defence ministry stated.
His appointment coincides with a dispute among the army and previous high minister Imran Khan, who blames the navy for gambling a component in his ouster in advance this 12 months.
“It is primarily based totally on merit, regulation and as in step with constitution,” Defence Minister Khawaja Asif advised journalists after saying the Munir as the brand new leader.
The navy has traditionally performed a oversized position in each home and overseas politics, and Munir’s appointment ought to effect Pakistan’s fragile democracy, its family members with neighbouring India and Taliban-dominated Afghanistan, in addition to its pivot toward China or the United States.
On Wednesday, outgoing navy leader Bajwa stated the army might haven’t any position in countrywide politics withinside the future, rejecting as “faux and false” Khan’s claims that a US-subsidized conspiracy crowned his authorities.
Khan, who turned into wounded in a gun assault in advance this month in the course of anti-authorities protests, has vowed to hold calling for early elections and plans to steer a protest on Saturday in Rawalpindi, domestic to the navy’s headquarters.