Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday said that the government would ensure all constitutional requirements are fulfilled to appoint director-general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Addressing a post-cabinet meeting press conference in Islamabad, he said that during the meeting, the issue of the appointment of the DG was discussed.
“The legal procedure will be followed in the appointment of the new ISI DG, for which both [Gen Bajwa and Prime Minister Imran] are in agreement,” he said.
Fawad said that Pakistan’s current military and civilian leadership enjoy cordial relations.
“A long meeting took place between Prime Minister Imran Khan and the army chief last night,” Fawad said, adding that the government shares “an ideal relationship with the military.”
The appointment of ISI director general is a prerogative of the prime minister. The spymaster’s choice is, however, made by the prime minister in consultation with the army chief.
“The prime minister shares a very close relationship with the army chief,” Fawad said.
“The Prime Minister’s Office will never take a step that would hurt the reputation of the army.”
He said the PTI-led government has always talked about the rights of overseas Pakistanis to cast their votes.
He said matters related to electoral reforms, the issue of the electronic voting machine (EVMs), and the voting rights of overseas Pakistanis, among other issues, came under discussion during the meeting.
“No cabinet meeting goes without the mention of overseas Pakistanis’ right to vote,” Fawad said.
He also talked about the economic affairs of the country and said that Finance Minister Shaukat Tarin is in talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
“Tarin is in the United States to speak to the IMF, and he will continue to perform his duties in line with the law and the Constitution of Pakistan,” he said.
