ISLAMABAD: Gen Asim Munir, a soldier with considerable operational experience and a career steeped in intelligence, was designated as the country`s lith army chief on Thursday, after weeks of intense speculation about who will lead the powerful military following Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa`s impending retirement.

Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, another infantry officer with an enviable career, has been appointed as the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff committee.

The two officers were also promoted from the rank of lieutenantgeneral to that of four-star general.

A statement by the presidency notifying the new military leadership said President Arif Alvi had made these `promotions and appointments under Article 243(4) (a) and (b) and Article 48(1) of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan read with Sections 8-A and 8-D of the Pakistan Army Act 1952.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had, during a meeting held earlier in the day, advised President Alvi to make the appointments.

It was initially speculated that President Alvi could return the prime minister`s advice for reconsideration because of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf`s reservations, but the process concluded without any delay.

On Thursday, President Alvi also made a brief trip to Lahore, where he held a nearly 45-minute-long dis-cussion with PTI chief Imran Khan on the issue and signed the summary for appointment immediately upon his return to the capital.

It remained unclear what caused PTI`s change of heart and Mr Khan`s decision not to push ahead with a confrontation on this issue confounded many observers.

Though Mr Khan had no role whatsoever in the appointment, he could have made the decisions look controversial by challenging them, as per earlier threats.

Gen Munir will succeed Gen Bajwa, who is retiring on Nov 29.

Gen Mirza will replace Gen Nadeem Raza, who is bidding a farewell to arms on Nov 27.

Immediate effect Though promotions usually take effectfromthe dateof assumptionof command, but because of the technical hitch of Gen Munir`s impending retirement on Nov 27, both men weregiven promotions with immediate effect. Therefore, the next few days would be rare as there would be four serving four-star generals in the country though the number of positions of generals in Pakistan Armyisn`tfixed.

Soon after the notification of their promotion and new appointment, Gen Munir and Gen Mirza called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Arif Alvi.

PM Sharif praised Gen Munir`s `professional excellence and patriotism` and hoped that armed forces would benefit from his `professional expertise`, according to the Prime Minister`s Office.

The PTI also congratulated both officers on their appointment.

After the cabinet meeting, the media had speculated that the rules regarding the appointment of services chiefs would be tweaked to accommodate Gen Munir. However, a cabinet source later dismissed the nodon, insisung that he was `retained` and `appointed` under existing regulations.Gen Munir will assume charge amid intense political polarisation in the country and inherit an army image battered by controversies.

His predecessor, Gen Bajwa, had a day earlier said the military received flak for its `involvementin politics` overthe past seven decades. He also stated that the army had decided to stay out of politics a decision, which, according to him, was taken in February 2021.

However, analysts seemed skeptical over whether Gen Bajwa`s successor would keep his pledge.