New ISI Chief appointed in major Pakistan Army reshuffle

Islamabad, Sep 30 (UNI) In a major reshuffle in Pakistan Army's top command and staff positions, Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has appointed a new head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) along with several new top commanders.

As many as seven Major Generals were promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Generals in the latest reshuffle.

Gen Kiyani yesterday changed four of the nine top military commanders and appointed a new chief of the general staff, besides, giving key postings to a few others.

The most significant of the entire reshuffle is the appointment of Lt-Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha as the new Director-General of the ISI.

He has replaced Lt-Gen Nadeem Taj, who has been appointed Corps Commander for Gujranwala city in Punjab.

A highly professional soldier in his own right, Lt-Gen Pasha, for the past over two years, has been overseeing the security operations in the tribal areas and parts of the NWFP as chief of the military operations.

But he is not the only beneficiary of yesterday's promotions and the reshuffle, carried out by General Kayani, which many believe, has put in place a new team to implement his vision for reviving the prestige of the Armed Forces.

Former Special Services Group commander Lt-Gen Tahir Mahmood has been given the most crucial charge of the Rawalpindi Corps, which looks after northern parts and Kashmir.

Lt-Gen Shahid Iqbal has been made the commander of the Karachi Corps, and Lt Gen Muhammad Yusuf, will serve as the In-charge Commander of the Bahawalpur Corps.

Lt-Gen Mustafa has been appointed the Chief of General Staff.

He will replace Lt-Gen Salahuddin Satti.

Lt-Gen Ahsan Azhar Hyat, Corps Commander Karachi will hold the post of Inspector General Training and Evaluation (IGT&E) at army headquaters while Lt-Gen Raza Mohammad, Corps Commander Bahawalpur, will serve as the Director-General Joint Staff.

Lt-Gen Mohammad Zaki, Director-General Infantry, has been appointed Inspector General, Arms at the army headquarters.

Lt-Gen Javed Zia, Deputy Chief of General Staff will be the Quarter Master General at the army headquarters.

Lt-Gen Zahid Hussain and Lt-Gen Muhammad Mustafa have been given the charges of Adjutant General and Chief of General Staff respectively while Lt-Gen Tanvir Tahir will be the Chief of Communications and IT .

Lt-Gen Ayyaz Salim Rana has been appointed Chairman Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT).

The reshuffle is being considered highly significant in the backdrop of the latest US incursions inside Pakistan's territory.

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