How Faiz didn't get his extension in 2021
My last post was about the comedy of errors around General Bajwa getting his extension in 2019. This one is about General Faiz Hameed not getting one in 2021. Man, I miss that era. Despite the suppression, there was hope and… and… hilarity. Now, there is only suppression and gloom.
This tweet made me laugh and is the trigger for this post.
Oct 3, 2021
Business Recorder made a faux pas by publishing an article suggesting that the Director-General of ISI is on track to be appointed as Corps Commander, positioning himself for eventual promotion to COAS. (Can you believe such speculative pieces being written elsewhere, with journalists predicting the next moves of spy chiefs, all in pursuit of bolstering their CVs with necessary corps commander credentials for higher military ranks?) Business Recorder swiftly removed it from their website within a couple of hours. Unfortunately, it remains accessible on their e-paper site and as a screenshot.
Oct 6, 2021
ISPR issues the notification that Nadeem Anjum has been appointed as DG ISI (which means Faiz Hameed has been replaced).
Gharida channeling her inner Kamran Khan on this announcement.
And then there was this too. Glacier Brain.
Oct 8, 2021
Everyone knows that Faiz Hameed is an accomplice of the PM Imran Khan and Imran Khan won’t be happy to see him go.
Najam Sethi writes this in the The Friday Times leader
The transfer of Lt-General Faiz Hameed from the post of DGISI to that of Corps Commander Peshawar is very significant. It was announced by ISPR last Wednesday but a notification from the Prime Minister’s Office is still awaited, as constitutionally required. Although the transfer was on the cards -- because his subsequent professional ambition depended on commanding a Corps - it was also known that Prime Minister Imran Khan wanted to hang on to his ISI coattails for as long as possible. Perhaps this is why there is a buzz about the delay in issuing the notification. Has Imran Khan changed his mind for some reason? Was there some misunderstanding between COAS and PM that has led to this confusion? If this is not sorted out quickly, we could face some serious turbulence.
General Faiz Hameed, it is commonly alleged, has provided valuable, often critical, services to Imran Khan during his journey from opposition leader to prime minister. Unfortunately for both of them, the mutually beneficial arrangement had progressively become tainted, discrediting the military and provoking a backlash in GHQ that finally led to this rupture.
I challenge you, dear reader, to find such speculation about transfers and promotions of military officers in any other country of the world.
Ejaz Haider writes in the same issue of The Friday Times
On Wednesday, October 6, Inter-Services Public Relations, put out an official notification. Lieutenant-General Faiz Hameed, Director-General Inter-Services Intelligence, Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency, was posted out to take command of the operationally active and significant 11 Corps. Hameed was replaced by Lieutenant-General Nadeem Anjum, who was commanding V Corps.
This should be a matter of routine. Except, in Pakistan it is not.…we now have a problem and it appears to be more than just a bump. The General Headquarters (read: COAS Qamar Bajwa) has already put his imprimatur on the changes and the ISPR has put out the notification. In other words, Gen. Bajwa is already out on a limb.… Speculatively speaking, if Bajwa were to reverse his own decision, the PM’s remit would be extending to a decision about the appointment of a Corps Commander. That is an area the army guards jealously.
On the other hand, the PM can argue that since he has a constitutional right to agree to a name suggested by the COAS for appointment as DG-I, the current changes have been thrusted upon him and, therefore, he is not obliged to sign on to what the COAS has decided and now wants him to sign on to.
Given the multiple internal and external challenges Pakistan is facing, one hopes that this issue could be resolved without further delay.
Rumors were also circulating that Gen Asif Ghafoor (former DG ISPR) was also angling for the DG ISI slot. Can’t find the tweets but it was being reported that he with his wife went to meet PM’s wife to intercede on his behalf for the position.
Meanwhile, reportedly, the incumbent DG ISI was also throwing a tantrum because the PM office’s notification could not be found.
Oct 11, 2021
The buzzing sound in the drawing room’s and TV prime time shows is reaching feverish pitch as per Dawn. It is a routine appointment. It should not require a meeting between military and civilian leadership.
Oct 12, 2021
This was a very eventful day.
The News brought out the superlatives as the piece is filled with such words as “important meeting”, “wild speculations”, “deadlock”, “amicable resolution likely soon” in a piece about routine transfers and promotions in a military.
Important meeting to address wild speculations
Top figures of the civil and military leaderships met late Monday to find a mutually-agreeable way forward.
A breakthrough seems to be on the cards to end days of rumours and gossiping flooding the social media fueling the impression of a deepening crisis engulfing the country, sources say.
The unaddressed speculations around a rumoured deadlock between the civil and military leaderships became a source of uncertainty for the stock market over the last few days as well as the political arena.
Knowledgeable people and quarters concerned in the power headquarters insist that there is no deadlock and an amicable resolution is likely soon. Top figures of the civil and military leaderships met late Monday to find a mutually-agreeable way forward, they say.
The outcome of the meeting is not yet known; however, the meeting having taken place is being seen as a positive step by these insiders.
The above was in the morning newspaper. The evening news brought this revelation.
People wondered if it was the “notification is rejected” moment.
The best entertainment was provided by Karman Khan by tweeting from his overseas vacations.
Meanwhile, there was panic in the cabinet meeting. However, the PM assured them that they have nothing to worry about. He just wants to follow the correct procedure.
At this time, the below meme was also making the rounds. This was referring to the fact that after meeting with Gen Asif Ghafoor, PM’s wife was recommending him as the next DG ISI. Whether there is any truth in this doesn’t matter. If everyone and their phupho is going to speculate on the appointment of next DG ISI, such claims are bound to find some currency.
But if you think, nothing can top that. There is more. The PM was engaged in some creating problem solving to overcome the impasse.
Fan club was providing additional analysis.
Amir Dogar comes on Nadeem Malik’s show and tells him that PM wanted to send a message out that he is not a rubber stamp. It is 2 minute clip if you want to watch it. You can watch it here.
This was after the PM had a meeting with COAS late the previous night as per Fawad Chaudry
The information minister then on Tuesday told the presser that PM Khan and the COAS had a “long sitting” last night to discuss the matter after which the premier took the cabinet into confidence on the issue.
Meanwhile, Mr Dogar disclosed that the PM informed the federal cabinet that he had told the army chief that he wanted the DG ISI to continue for some time due to the critical situation in the neighbouring country.
“The prime minister has the authority to appoint the DG ISI and he held a detailed meeting with COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa in this regard,” stated Mr Chaudhry earlier at the presser. “The federal government will follow a legal and constitutional procedure on the appointment of the DG ISI,” he said.
The minister categorically stated there would be no step taken from the PM Office or the military setup that damaged the repute of one another.
Slight digression but since the matter of rubber stamp has been brought up. In December 2020, COAS appointed Lt Gen Amir Awan as Chairman Pak Ordinance Factories Board which is a prerogative of Federal Government. The General took charge on Dec 20, 2020 and almost a month later, the federal cabinets approves it. Looks like a rubber stamp to me. From Business Recorder.
The federal cabinet has accorded ex-post facto approval of appointment of Lieutenant General Ali Amir Awan as Chairman Pakistan Ordinance Factories Board (POFB).
Official sources told Business Recorder that Lieutenant General Bilal Akbar, Chairman POFB proceeded on retirement from December 18, 2020. In accordance with clause 3(2) of POFB Ordinance, 1961, the chairman is to be appointed by the federal government. The sources said, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Qamar Javed Bajwa has nominated Lieutenant General Ali Amir Awan as Chairman POFB. The General Officer has already assumed the new appointment from December 22, 2020. Ministry of Defence has sought federal Cabinet’s ex post facto approval of appointment of Lieutenant General Ali Amir Awan as Chairman POF Board, in terms of Section 3(2) of POFB Ordinance, 1961.
Back to the main event.
Oct 13, 2021
Amir Dogar gets reprimanded and receives a showcause notice
Also, the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) reprimanded its chief whip in the National Assembly Amir Dogar for disclosing details of the Monday night meeting of the PM with Chief of the Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa followed by Mr Khan’s remarks at the cabinet meeting on Tuesday. He reportedly received a show-cause notice from the party.
"The civil and military leadership has yet again proved that all institutions are united for the country's stability, integrity and development”. Are we still talking about routine military transfers?
Oct 14, 2021
Fawad Chaudry providing new spin. Reminds me of PM’s tweet that I mentioned in my previous post when after Bajwa was given extension, the PM said that this is a loss of face for the enemies of the country.
It was also reported that PM would like to interview candidates.
Prime Minister Imran Khan is setting a new precedence by himself taking interviews of candidates for top public offices and in the latest such instance is likely to meet probables to appoint the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general, one of the most powerful offices in the country.
Presiding over a hurriedly called meeting of the parliamentary committee of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) at Parliament House, the prime minister assured the worried party leaders that the issue of appointment of new ISI chief had been amicably settled by him and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and that the government would complete its five-year term.
Following the meeting, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry told the media that the notification regarding appointment of new chief of the country’s premier spy agency would be issued in two to three days.
He denied that the prime minister would take interview of the probables but said: “Prime Minister Imran Khan will just meet all candidates (for the slot of ISI DG)”.
No such interviews have been taken in the past by any prime minister rather the official who is selected as head of the ISI pays a goodwill visit to the prime minister after his appointment.
…an impasse developed on the issue between civil and military leadership as the prime minister was reportedly reluctant to appoint new DG ISI “against the law and constitutional norms”.
According to experts in defence matters, the procedure for appointment of ISI director general is neither mentioned in the Constitution nor the Army Act, and all previous appointments were made as per traditions under which army chief proposes three names to prime minister who then makes the final decision.
Oct 15, 2021
Ejaz Haider writes another column in The Friday Times claiming that we have no idea what law governs and function of ISI.
This week I want to examine the issue from a different perspective: what law governs the existence and functioning of the ISI. The procedure of appointment of DGI seemed to me — still does — secondary to that basic question. Once we have determined the law that birthed the agency and — presumably — also guides its functioning, we can move on to figuring out who is authorised to choose and appoint the agency’s DG, the top slot.
I thought this inquiry would be easy. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Oct 16, 2021
From Business Recorder
While briefing the media on the 16 October cabinet briefing, Fawad Chaudhary stated: “There are many on the social media who have wishes [to cause a rift between the civil and military leadership], I want to tell them that the Prime Minister’s Office will never undermine the respect of the Pakistan Army and the Army Chief. And the Army Chief and the army will never take any step that will undermine the respect of the Prime Minister or civil setup”.
Can you imagine that all this is over a routine promotion in a military?
Oct 17, 2021
We are 11 days after notification and still no clarity. Kamran Khan needlessly getting excited.
Oct 20, 2021
The PM gets his interview. He gets to “interview” only the “selected” candidate for the position.
an informed source, while confirming it, hinted that the notification for the appointment of Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum as the next DG ISI is expected in the coming few days. The source expected it on Friday.
He also confided that Lt Gen Nadeem is the only three-star General who met the premier on Wednesday. Within a week or ten days, the new DG ISI will take charge of his office while the incumbent spymaster of the country’s top intelligence agency Lt General Faiz Hameed will join his new assignment as Corps Commander Peshawar.
Oct 24, 2021
Another informed source.
Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to issue a notification of appointment of a new Director General, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), upon his return from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on October 25. Informed sources told Business Recorder that subsequent to the October 20 reported meeting of the nominated ISI chief Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum with Prime Minister Imran Khan, rumours of any rift within the civil-military leadership “automatically died down”.
“It is the prerogative of the Prime Minister and the PM Office will issue the notification as and when he feels it appropriate, but hopefully it will be done when he is back from Saudi Arabia,” said an official source on condition of anonymity. The source added that Lt Gen Anjum is most likely to be appointed.
Oct 25, 2021
The interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed says that please don’t bother asking him about a matter he knows nothing about it.
"I've no clue [...] when the notification [of the newly nominated DG ISI] will be issued, as it's only the prime minister, his spokesperson or the defence ministry which can tell you when the notification will be issued".
To a question, he said: "At present, Lt-Gen Faiz Hameed is the DG ISI".
Oct 26, 2021
This sorry saga comes to an end as the notification is finally issued. But PM still gets his small victory. While the ISPR notification was from immediate effect, PM appoints Nadeem Anjum as DG ISI with effect from November 20th, 2021.
Kia mulk hai yaar
باتیں ہماری یاد رہیں پھر باتیں ایسی نہ سنیے گا
پڑھتے کسو کو سنیے گا تو دیر تلک سر دھنیے گ