2013-11-27
Pakistani Prime Minister has appointed Lt Gen Raheel Sharif as new army head after weeks of speculation, a move correspondents say could define PM Nawaz Sharif’s third term in office.
Lt Gen Sharif replaces Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, who retires on Thursday.
The government has also named Lt Gen Rashid Mahmood as the new chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.
The appointments are seen as vital in fighting the Taliban and in determining the army’s role in politics.
Correspondents say Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will have carefully considered his crucial appointment of Lt Gen Sharif – who is not related to him – because the prime minister has twice had run-ins with the military during previous terms in office.