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Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007
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Former ISI chief to succeed Musharraf as Army chief

Nirupama Subramanian

Ashfaq Parvez Kayani

ISLAMABAD: The former head of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence, Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, will succeed President Pervez Musharraf as Army chief, a military statement said, but gave no date for the succession.

Promoted to the rank of General from Lieutenant-General on Tuesday, the officer will take over as the Army Vice-Chief with effect from October 8, a day after the incumbent, General Ahsan Saleem Hyat, retires.

The statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations said General Kayani “shall assume charge of Chief of Army Staff on vacation of that office.”

General Musharraf recently told the Supreme Court that he would relinquish the Army post if he was elected head of state for another term, and before being sworn in.

The announcement that General Kayani would succeed him came a day before the Supreme Court is scheduled to hear fresh legal challenges to General Musharraf’s election. Opposition parliamentarians and provincial legislators resigned in protest on Tuesday.

The presidential election is scheduled for October 6 and the swearing-in for November 16, a day after President Musharraf’s present term ends. Lieutenant-General Tariq Majeed, until recently commander of the Rawalpindi-based 10 Corps, has also been promoted to the rank of General and appointed Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee. This appointment will also take effect from October 8.

The ISPR said General Kayani was “imbued with the qualities of head and heart,” and he was perceived as “a purposeful and pragmatic” commander and the “embodiment” of professionalism.

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