COAS congratulates Shehbaz Sharif on assuming PM Office

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir Wednesday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the PM House in Islamabad to congratulate him for taking charge as the country's chief executive for the second consecutive time.

During the meeting, the first since Shehbaz's oath-taking ceremony on Monday, the two dignitaries discussed the army's operational and security-related matters. Shehbaz was elected as the prime minister on Sunday, retaining the title after his 16-month-long stint in the top coveted position from April 2022 to August 2023.

This is the second time that Shehbaz has secured the top office after receiving 201 votes against his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)backed Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) opponent Omar Ayub Khan who got 92 votes in a ruckusmarred session of the Parliament's lower house.

Shehbaz's victory was expected as he enjoyed the support of seven other parties apart from the PML-N. The PM-elect is backed by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi MovementPakistan (MQM-P), Pakistan Muslim LeagueQuaid (PML-Q), Balochistan Awami Party (BAP), Pakistan Muslim League-Zia (PML-Z), Istehkame-Pakistan Party (IPP) and National Party (NP).

A day earlier, the army's top brass, during the 263rd Corps Commanders’ Conference (CCC) held at Rawalpindi's General Headquarters (GHQ), had expressed dismay allegations that the armed forces interfered with the electoral process after political parties raised serious concerns over the February 8 poll results.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the forum noted that the armed forces had had nothing to do with the electoral process. "Some vested small segments of polity and media especially social media have been maligning the armed forces of Pakistan with unsubstantiated allegations of interference which is highly deplorable," the statement added.

The military’s top brass also emphasised that that due legal processes be followed with evidence and proof rather than resorting to unconstitutional and uncalled-for baseless political rhetoric and emotional outbursts. The corps commanders noted with satisfaction the smooth democratic transition of power in the Center and provinces. "[The] Forum hoped that the post elections environment brings in desired political and economic stability resulting into peace and prosperity for the people of Pakistan."