Experts say Kayani’s army reshuffle not a major shake-up

The first major reshuffle in the top brass since General Ashfaq Kayani took over as the Pakistani...

The first major reshuffle in the top brass since General Ashfaq Kayani took over as the Pakistani Army Chief is not indicative of a major “realignment of the politico-military establishment” of the country, watchers in the Indian security establishment say.

Kayani has appointed new corps commanders at Mangla and Lahore, triggering off speculation that Musharraf’s authority is being undermined, but analysts in the Indian defence establishment say the postings are of a “routine nature” and consistent with the administrative demands and seniority structure of the Pakistani Army. Lieutenant General Ijaz Ahmed Bakhshi has been posted as Corps Commander in Lahore and Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmed will take over the Mangla-based strike corps. Besides, Major General Muhammad Rehan Burni has been promoted and appointed as the Director General Medical Services. The post had been lying vacant after the assassination of Lt Gen Mushtaq Baig last month.

While a detailed background report on the officers is currently being drawn up, officials say there have been no violation of seniority in the promotion of the officers and the postings are “well within the purview of the Army Chief”.

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“These should be treated as routine appointments as no one has been promoted out of turn or sidelined. The change of commanders is well within the purview of Army Chief,” they say.

The analysts add that indicators of major changes in the power structure of the army would be new appointments to the key posts of ISI chief and head of the Strategic Forces Command. Musharraf had appointed a staunch loyalist, Lt Gen Nadeem Taj, as head of the all powerful ISI in September last year just a month after resigning as the Army Chief.

“The appointments are no indicator of the sidelining of Musharraf. The three indicators that must be watched out for are appointments of the ISI chief, strategic forces chief and violation of seniority in promotion of corps commanders and above,” an official said.

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