It is almost time for Pakistan's government to choose the next army chief. A senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader hinted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif could start talking about the appointment by the end of August and possibly make a decision by mid-September.

It is customary for the General Headquarters or GHQ to send to the defence ministry a list of four to five senior-most lieutenant-generals, along with their profiles, so that the prime minister can choose the best candidate for the position.

Lt-Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, one of the senior-most among the four candidates, is the undisputed front-runner for any of the two positions of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), Dawn newspaper quoted a military source as saying. Mirza is a native of the Sindh Regiment. He had a distinguished army career, especially over the last few years in high command roles.

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PML-N leaders stated that they had essentially chosen to make the appointment based on seniority. However, another faction believes that the PM may just follow the incumbent leader’s recommendations.

Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, the current COAS is all set to retire in November. The army chief's tenure is meant for three years but Bajwa was given an additional three-year term in 2019. However, the general still qualifies for another term. There is a possibility that the incumbent might be interested in or looking for another extension. But as per a military source close to Bajwa, he informed those close to him that he would retire in November, the newspaper reported.

Among the current senior brass, Lt. Gen. Azhar Abbas has the most experience in Indian affairs. He belongs to the Baloch regiment. Currently serving as the Chief of General Staff (CGS), he leads the army and has direct control over the intelligence and operations directorates, Dawn reported. He had previously commanded Rawalpindi-based X Corps and is Kashmir-centric, demonstrating the army’s entire confidence in him.

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Lt Gen Faiz Hamid, a member of the Baloch Regiment, is another of the most talked-about candidates for the top job. He was a centre of a dispute between former PM Imran Khan and the COAS in the final stages, where the latter had chosen him for the post of commander of the Peshawar Corps and the former wasn’t ready to remove him. According to analysts cited by Dawn, PML-N leaders may find it impossible or challenging to consider him for the position of COAS.

Another candidate, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Amir, is a member of the Artillery Regiment, and currently in charge of the XXX corps in Gujranwala. He was formerly the GHQ’s adjutant general. He has extensive experience in both GHQ and command roles, having also held the position of director-general of Staff Duties at the COAS secretariat. According to Dawn, his professional path has put him in close proximity to the current political decision-makers.

(With inputs from agencies)

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It is almost time for Pakistan's government to choose the next army chief. A senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader hinted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif could start talking about the appointment by the end of August and possibly make a decision by mid-September.

It is almost time for Pakistan's government to choose the next army chief. A senior Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader hinted that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif could start talking about the appointment by the end of August and possibly make a decision by mid-September. It is customary for the General Headquarters or GHQ to send to the defence ministry a list of four to five senior-most lieutenant-generals, along with their profiles, so that the prime minister can choose the best candidate for the position. Lt-Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, one of the senior-most among the four candidates, is the undisputed front-runner for any of the two positions of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC), Dawn newspaper quoted a military source as saying. Mirza is a native of the Sindh Regiment. He had a distinguished army career, especially over the last few years in high command roles. Also read | India-Pakistan nuclear war could kill 2 billion people: Report PML-N leaders stated that they had essentially chosen to make the appointment based on seniority. However, another faction believes that the PM may just follow the incumbent leader’s recommendations. Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, the current COAS is all set to retire in November. The army chief's tenure is meant for three years but Bajwa was given an additional three-year term in 2019. However, the general still qualifies for another term. There is a possibility that the incumbent might be interested in or looking for another extension. But as per a military source close to Bajwa, he informed those close to him that he would retire in November, the newspaper reported. Among the current senior brass, Lt. Gen. Azhar Abbas has the most experience in Indian affairs. He belongs to the Baloch regiment. Currently serving as the Chief of General Staff (CGS), he leads the army and has direct control over the intelligence and operations directorates, Dawn reported. He had previously commanded Rawalpindi-based X Corps and is Kashmir-centric, demonstrating the army’s entire confidence in him. Also read | Former PM Nawaz Sharif to return to Pakistan in September: PML-N Lt Gen Faiz Hamid, a member of the Baloch Regiment, is another of the most talked-about candidates for the top job. He was a centre of a dispute between former PM Imran Khan and the COAS in the final stages, where the latter had chosen him for the post of commander of the Peshawar Corps and the former wasn’t ready to remove him. According to analysts cited by Dawn, PML-N leaders may find it impossible or challenging to consider him for the position of COAS. Another candidate, Lt. Gen. Mohammed Amir, is a member of the Artillery Regiment, and currently in charge of the XXX corps in Gujranwala. He was formerly the GHQ’s adjutant general. He has extensive experience in both GHQ and command roles, having also held the position of director-general of Staff Duties at the COAS secretariat. According to Dawn, his professional path has put him in close proximity to the current political decision-makers. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Who will be Pakistan’s new army chief? Here are possible candidates

Lieutenant General Anil Puri has become the first serving Lieutenant General-rank officer of the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/jk-indian-army-hits-pakistan-post-opposite-the-rajouri-sector-243659"> Indian Army</a> to complete France's oldest cycling event, 1,200-km Paris-Brest-Paris circuit.

The 56-year-old officer completed the circuit on August 23 by cycling non-stop for 90 hours.

Over 31,125 riders have managed to complete Paris-Brest-Paris Randonneur ever since the event started in 1931.

This year, the picturesque town of Rambouillet hosted the departure and arrival of the event.&nbsp;

Lieutenant General Anil Puri has become the first serving Lieutenant General-rank officer of the Indian Army to complete France's oldest cycling event, 1,200-km Paris-Brest-Paris circuit.

Lieutenant General Anil Puri has become the first serving Lieutenant General-rank officer of the Indian Army to complete France's oldest cycling event, 1,200-km Paris-Brest-Paris circuit. The 56-year-old officer completed the circuit on August 23 by cycling non-stop for 90 hours. Over 31,125 riders have managed to complete Paris-Brest-Paris Randonneur ever since the event started in 1931. This year, the picturesque town of Rambouillet hosted the departure and arrival of the event.

Indian Army officer Anil Puri completes 1200 km long Paris-Brest-Paris circuit

The Indian Army is all set to see a major change in its top brass as the government is expected to announce the appointment to the post of Vice Chief of Army Staff and top Army Commanders anytime soon.

"Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General &nbsp;MM Narawane is set to take over as the Vice Chief of Army Staff to replace incumbent Lt Gen Devraj Anbu who is due to retire on August 31," senior Army sources said here.&nbsp;

Narawane and Northern Army Commander Lt General Ranbir Singh would be the two top officers in the contention for the Chief of Army Staff in December end when the incumbent General Bipin Rawat is due to superannuate after his three years tenure.

To replace Narawane in the Eastern Command, the government is likely to announce the appointment of Director General Military Operations Lt General Anil Chauhan.&nbsp;

Chauhan has held the command of the 3 Corps in the Eastern theatre with China and has proven his credentials in operations along the Pakistan border during the recent hostilities after Balakot airstrikes and even before that.

In the all-important Western Command in-charge for Pakistan from Jammu to Bhatinda in Punjab, Lt General RP Singh is set to take over as the Western Army Commander as a replacement for Lt Gen Surinder Singh who is due to relinquish his office on July 31.

Lt General Singh is presently the Commander of the 21 Strike Corps in Bhopal.

The South Western Army Command in Jaipur and Central Command in Lucknow will also get new chiefs as their heads are also retiring in the near future.

The Indian Army is all set to see a major change in its top brass as the government is expected to announce the appointment to the post of Vice Chief of Army Staff and top Army Commanders anytime soon.

The Indian Army is all set to see a major change in its top brass as the government is expected to announce the appointment to the post of Vice Chief of Army Staff and top Army Commanders anytime soon. "Eastern Army Commander Lieutenant General MM Narawane is set to take over as the Vice Chief of Army Staff to replace incumbent Lt Gen Devraj Anbu who is due to retire on August 31," senior Army sources said here. Narawane and Northern Army Commander Lt General Ranbir Singh would be the two top officers in the contention for the Chief of Army Staff in December end when the incumbent General Bipin Rawat is due to superannuate after his three years tenure. To replace Narawane in the Eastern Command, the government is likely to announce the appointment of Director General Military Operations Lt General Anil Chauhan. Chauhan has held the command of the 3 Corps in the Eastern theatre with China and has proven his credentials in operations along the Pakistan border during the recent hostilities after Balakot airstrikes and even before that. In the all-important Western Command in-charge for Pakistan from Jammu to Bhatinda in Punjab, Lt General RP Singh is set to take over as the Western Army Commander as a replacement for Lt Gen Surinder Singh who is due to relinquish his office on July 31. Lt General Singh is presently the Commander of the 21 Strike Corps in Bhopal. The South Western Army Command in Jaipur and Central Command in Lucknow will also get new chiefs as their heads are also retiring in the near future.

Army to witness change at top; Lieutenant General MM Narawane to be Vice Chief