'PPP has no favourites': Kaira says party will support PM's choice for next COAS.

LAHORE -- Advisor to Premier on Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Qamar Zaman Kaira said on Sunday that all generals are equally capable of becoming the next chief of army staff (COAS), clarifying that the PPP 'has no favourites".

The minister added that the party will totally support Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in his choice for the next army chief.

Kaira furthered that the premier has all the constitutional authority to take the decision solely. He also said that the PPP has communicated to Shehbaz of its unconditional support in this regard.

When asked about the criticism on the PM for consulting with his brother Nawaz Sharif, Kaira said this criticism was a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) propaganda and nothing else.

The PPP leader also said that Shehbaz could even consult with any prisoner on this issue. There was no legal bar on the prime minister as to whom he should and whom he shouldn't consult with.

He maintained that the person in question, was a three-time premier, with vast experience and consulting with him, was completely fair.

A PPP leader, on the other hand, claimed that lobbying for any one name would have been a big gamble. It was in the best interest of the party, to sit back and let the leading coalition partner sort this appointment matter out.

The summary will be moved early next week to initiate the selection...