Ruling allies empower PM to finalise new COAS.

ISLAMABAD -- Heads of coalition parties in the ruling Pakistan Democratic Alliance (PDM) have fully authorized Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to pick the senior most officers for the appointment of chairman joint chiefs of the staff committee and chief of the army staff. The assurance by the coalition leaders was given at a dinner hosted by the prime minister in their honour at the PM House here Wednesday night. The consultative dinner was attended by the leaders of all coalition parties in the ruling alliance. During the meeting, former President and PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari entrusted his support in the prime minister and said: 'You are the prime minister and the Constitution has granted you this authority and privilege.' PML-Q supremo Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain told PM Shehbaz that decision on the appointment was his constitutional right. JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman extended his support to the premier. 'We stand with you no matter what decision the prime minister takes,' he said at the meeting. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of the PML-N said that it was a matter of pride for the party that the premier had full support from the coalition partners. MQM's Khalid Mqabool Siddiqui extended his support to the premier and appreciated his gesture of consulting coalition partners. Dr Khalid Magsi of the Balochistan Awami Party said that whatever decision the prime minister takes, he 'firmly' stands with him. Aslam Bhootani, an independent...