Former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party on Thursday welcomed the appointment of General Asim Munir as the new army chief but said it hoped he would take his decisions according to the “aspirations” of the people.
Khan, who was ousted from power in a no-confidence vote in April, has demanded early elections in Pakistan and refused to accept the coalition government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that replaced his administration. He has also repeatedly said Sharif would eschew merit and pick an army chief who would overlook what Khan called the corrupt practices of the Sharif family. He has also expressed resentment towards the military, particularly outgoing army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, for not blocking his ouster or pressuring the government to announce early elections.
Khan has blamed his ouster on a conspiracy by the United States, the country’s military and his political opponents. American and Pakistani officials deny the accusations but they have resonated in recent months with young, social-media-savvy Pakistanis and the older generation alike, who have come out in fierce criticism of what they deem entrenched corruption and the ever-present even if invisible hand of the army in the country’s political system.
“Congratulations to General Asim Munir on his appointment as Army Chief,” PTI general secretary Asad Umar said. “It is hoped that his decisions will be in accordance with the aspirations of the nation.”
In a statement released separately, the PTI said it expected the new leadership of the army “to play its constitutional role so constitutional rights and stability of democracy in the country are strengthened; and people’s right to elect a new leadership through fresh elections would be recognized.”
