NEW YORK, Nov 25 (APP):The appointment of General Asim Munir as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has been welcomed in the American print and electronic media, saying it bodes well for the country, amid political tensions. <\/p>\n
“When political leadership makes a choice based on merit and seniority, they not only elevate their own credibility but also help settle some structural concerns of an institution where distinction and excellence are well regarded by the rank and file,” wrote Umair Jamal, a Pakistan-based correspondent for The Diplomat, a Washington-based online international magazine. <\/p>\n
“The appointment of Munir is an indication that the military establishment\u2019s intent to stick to its constitutional role and open space for democratic functioning in the country will mature in the coming months and years,” he said, noting that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s decision came after weeks of intense speculation and reported infighting among political parties. <\/p>\n
“The crucial appointment offers a new opportunity for all important stakeholders in the country to bury the hatchet and move forward in Pakistan\u2019s best interest,” Jamal said. <\/p>\n
“The cooperation that political parties showed over Munir\u2019s appointment is arguably the first time that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf chief and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was ousted from office in April through a vote of no-confidence, has shown a willingness to work with the current government to fulfill a constitutional duty without much drama,” Jamal said. <\/p>\n
The Washington Post, reporting on Gen. Munir’s selection, underscored Defence Minister Khwaja Mohammad Asif’s statement that the appointment was \u201cbased on merit, law and according to the constitution.\u201d <\/p>\n
In a report, CNN noted that Imran Khan\u2019s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party congratulated Gen. Munir on his appointment in a statement Thursday. <\/p>\n
Noting that Gen. Munir will inherit the position at an exceedingly challenging moment for Pakistan, The New York Times said, “The country\u2019s economy has been teetering on the brink of collapse, with double-digit inflation pushing many basic goods out of people\u2019s reach. Devastating floods have inundated much of the country\u2019s agricultural belt. In neighboring Afghanistan, anti-Pakistan militants have been bolstered by the new Taliban government.” <\/p>\n
“General Munir has no known political inclination and has a reputation in the army for going ‘by the book,’ \u201d said Khalid Masood Rasool, a Lahore-based political analyst. \u201cMunir\u2019s crucial test would be to demonstrate action of the pledge that his predecessor made about staying neutral in politics,\u201d he said, \u201cand revive the image of the army inflicted by partisan politics and harsh social media blitz.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
NEW YORK, Nov 25 (APP):The appointment of General Asim Munir as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has been welcomed in the American print and electronic media, saying it bodes well for the country, amid political tensions. “When political leadership makes a choice based on […]<\/p>\n
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