No objection to appointment of next army chief early, says Alvi

ISLAMABAD:PRESIDENT of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi has said that he would have no objection to the appointment of next army chief before its scheduled time later this year if the process was initiated through the laid down procedure under relevant laws and contained the formal approval of relevant institutions and offices.

The president made these remarks during an interaction with media persons.

To a question about the early appointment of the army chief, the president said that that the role of the army was clearly defined under Article 8(3) (a), Article 39, Article 243 to 245 and entry No 1&2 of the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution

Alvi emphasised the need for the political parties to find solutions to financial and economic woes faced by the country through a consultative process and to take steps to control the rising inflation in the country.

He said that the uncertain political and economic situation in any country can spread polarisation in society which was detrimental to everyone’s interest, therefore, all stakeholders should take meaningful steps to bring about political and economic stability through a consultative process while remaining within the bounds of the Constitution and relevant laws of the country.

The president said that all pillars of the state and institutions should play their constitutional role while remaining within the bounds of law for holding free and fair elections, whenever held, to pave the path for the seting up a government which truly reflected the aspirations and hopes of the people of Pakistan.

“Only a government that comes to power through transparent, free and fair elections can provide much-needed political financial and economic stability to the country,” he said.

Alvi said that he had a good working relationship with the current government and had no confrontation with Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif.

He stated that he had received 74 summaries from the present government out of which 69 summaries had been assented to without any delay.

“The budget bill was signed immediately as it was received,” he added.