General Ashfaq Kayani likely to remain `power centre` of Pak military

One of Pakistan’s most powerful men, General Ashfaq Kayani, is likely to stay head of the military with a new title when he steps down as army chief next month, taking over some of the duties of his successor.

According to The Daily Times, the expected move comes at a time when militant
violence is on the rise in the country, tension boils with arch rival India over Kashmir and as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif seeks to shore up a stable government just months into his job.

For the US, it would mean continuity in Pakistan’s approach ahead of a pullout of most foreign troops in Afghanistan at the end of 2014, the report said.

There has been speculation over who will take over as chief of the army when Kayani steps down, the report added.

One senior intelligence official said Nawaz planned to overhaul the JCSC into a central defence body by restoring its command over the entire military establishment and giving it additional powers.

The new JCSC chief will be in charge of the nuclear arsenal, he said.

He’ll decide on action against terrorists, revealed the source, adding that new powers included the right to promote, post and transfer key military officers, the report further said.