Don't think president will leave behind 'legacy of clashes': Khawaja Asif on COAS appointment.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday expressed optimism that President Dr Arif Alvi would not leave behind a 'legacy of clashes' on the matter of the next army chief's appointment.

In an interview on Dawn News show 'Live with Adil Shahzeb', the defence minister was asked whether the president would delay the summary for important army appointments for some days to which he said: 'I don't think the president will want to leave a legacy of clashes. It is my opinion that he will not want to leave controversy behind as his office's legacy.'

Asif said Prime Minister Shahbaz Sarif was directly in contact with Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa for the appointment of the next chief of army staff (COAS) and chairman joint chief of staff (CJCS).

'There is no disagreement between army and government about the appointment of the new army chief as the whole process, including the matter of forwarding the summary to the prime minister, is as per the [mutual] agreement including the dates,' he said.

Asif said Gen Bajwa has served for over six years and his recommendation held weight.

The defence minister also revealed that the...