Tension continues between PM Imran Khan and Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa over the appointment of the new chief of Pakistan's intelligence agency ISI. Even after 9 days of Bajwa's seal, Imran Khan has not signed the appointment letter of the new Chief Nadeem Anjum. Now it is being claimed in some circles of Pakistani media that if Imran does not stop trying hard with the Army Chief, then very soon Pakistan can get a new Prime Minister in the form of Shah Mehmood Qureshi. When Qureshi was questioned by the media about this, he became poetic. The media asked the direct question- Are you going to become Wazir-e-Azam (Prime Minister)? Have you got a new sherwani sewn?
When Shah Mehmood Qureshi came out after a meeting on Thursday evening, the media surrounded him. The question was only one – are you going to be the Prime Minister? In response, Qureshi smiled and said – There are some laughs which remain laughing.
Once again, when he was asked to give a clear answer, Qureshi said – Some wishes are such that every wish comes true. On this, the media again asked whether you are still with Imran Khan, then instead of answering it, Qureshi walked with fast steps. Then a journalist asked- We have heard that you have got a new sherwani sewn? Qureshi looked back, smiled, and then moved on.
It has always been said in the political circles of Pakistan that Qureshi aspired to become the Prime Minister, but once Yusuf Raza Gilani and second time Imran Khan blocked his path. The special thing is that there is a deep and good relationship between Qureshi and the army. The entire opposition calls Imran Khan as the elected prime minister instead of the elected.
The relationship between Imran and the Army Chief has become quite tense. It is believed that Qureshi can be put on the chair for the remaining one and a half years of the Imran government. In this, sycophantic ministers of the army like Sheikh Rashid can help.
Qureshi also has a good image and has good relations with other parties as well. He has been in Asif Ali Zardari and Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party. A few days ago, in the Parliament of Pakistan, Benazir's son Bilawal Bhutto took a jibe at Qureshi and said – Imran should be careful with Qureshi. He can go to any extent to become PM.
The current Chief of ISI is General Faiz Hameed. It is believed that Imran is called the selected prime minister instead of elected because of this general Faiz. It is said that Faiz heavily rigged the 2018 elections and got Imran made the Wazir-e-Azam. Initially, Imran gave General Bajwa an extension of three years, and Faiz was left behind. After the extension, Army Chief Bajwa is retiring in October next year.
Imran wants General Faiz to become the next chief and before that he should remain the ISI supremo. Bajwa does not agree with this. They want to hand over the command of ISI to General Anjum. This is the real reason for the tension.
