Thursday, August 07, 2008

By Shakil Shaikh

ISLAMABAD: Top military commanders will meet today (Thursday) in a routine Corps Commanders' Conference to take up host of issues confronting national security, a source told The News on Wednesday.

"It is a routine Corps Commanders conference, as it is supposed to be held in the first week of every alternate month," said the source. Though coincided with PPP-led coalition government's reported move to charge sheet President Pervez Musharraf through his impeachment, the military commanders has nothing to do with this issue.

The commanders will take up issues like situation in Fata and other issues falling in the realm of national security. It is, however, understood that informal discussion may take place on the present climate, though the Army under COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has been depolicised for obvious reasons.

Some sources say that the coalition government is facing shortage of two-dozen parliamentarians from the magic figure of 295 MPs - two-third required to impeach the president. Some sources say that the coalition top leadership is also contemplating to get anti-Musharraf resolution passed in the National and provincial assemblies to press ahead with their campaign "go Musharraf."

One source said that in case of successful move to oust the president, PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Zardari would succeed him as president. The sources say that the president opted to undertake Chinese tour, as he would be meeting at least 8 world leaders including US President Bush and Chinese President.

"Musharraf and Bush have established a good rapport over the years and their meeting during Olympics would be considered extremely important in context of domestic political scene in Pakistan," said one source close to the president.

In a related development, following the Corps Commanders' Conference Army's Annual Selection Board for promotion of Brigadiers to Major General will be held on August 8 (Friday) at General Headquarters (GHQ).

A total of 650 Brigadiers will be considered in the Selection Board. Those meeting the selection criteria will be approved for promotion to the rank of Major General. The Selection Board comprises the senior leadership of the Army. It is learnt that 26 to 30 Brigadiers will be promoted this year, though this Board was supposed to meet early January this year but it has been delayed for some time.

http://thenews.jang.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=16491