Kayani behind General Wyne’s appointment as new JCSC chairman of Pakistan?

ISLAMABAD - Amidst speculation about a change in the government, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s move to promote Lt-Gen Khalid Shamim Wyne as a four star general and his appointment as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, has come as a surprise to most people in the country.

According to an official notification issued from the Presidency, Zardari promoted Lt-Gen Wyne on the advice of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Although it was almost certain that Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was not interested in his elevation as CJCSC from the very beginning, it was generally believed that either the Naval Chief or the Air Chief would be chosen for the post, The Dawn said.

On Wednesday, Kayani met both Zardari and Gilani, and it is being speculated that in the backdrop of this meeting, the decision was pushed through.

The office is supposed to rotate between the three services, but has so far gone to the Navy twice while the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has got the office once, the paper reports.

Admiral Mohammad Sharif (1978-1980) and Admiral Iftikhar Ahmad Sirohey (1988-1991) are the two naval officers to have secured the top military office. Air Chief Marshal Farooq Feroze Khan was the only PAF officer who occupied the post earlier.

Gen Wyne, who comes from an army background, has held various command, staff and instructional appointments during his military career. He was a Brigade Major of two Infantry Brigades. (ANI)