ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army has carried out a major reshuffle in its senior command structure, with several recently promoted Major Generals assigned key positions at General Headquarters (GHQ) and important field commands, according to military sources.
The appointments, reportedly made with immediate effect, include senior responsibilities in military intelligence, strategic directorates, divisional command, the Frontier Corps and the Pakistan Coast Guard.
According to the sources, Major General Adil Waraich has been appointed Director General Military Intelligence (DG MI), one of the Army’s key intelligence positions. The Military Intelligence directorate is responsible for military intelligence and counter-intelligence functions and forms an important part of the Army’s intelligence structure.
Major General Sajid has been posted as Director General Z, while Major General Shamrez has been appointed Director General S. Major General Jawad has also been appointed Director General P, assigning the newly promoted officers responsibilities in important directorates at GHQ.
In the field command structure, Major General Khurram Shabbir has been appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) 17 Division. The appointment places him in command of a major Army formation responsible for the operational and administrative affairs of the division.
Major General Ateeq Rafiq has been appointed Director General Pakistan Coast Guard. The Coast Guard performs security and law-enforcement functions along Pakistan’s coastal belt, including responsibilities related to counter-smuggling and maritime security.
Meanwhile, Major General Zafar has been appointed Inspector General Frontier Corps (South) Balochistan, while Major General Farhan has been assigned as Inspector General Frontier Corps (West) Balochistan.
The Frontier Corps appointments carry responsibilities related to security in Balochistan, including border management, internal security duties and counter-terrorism operations. The western region also includes areas adjoining Afghanistan and Iran.
The appointments follow the recent promotion process in the Pakistan Army under which Brigadiers were promoted to the rank of Major General.
A Major General holds a two-star rank and may be assigned either staff responsibilities at GHQ or command responsibilities in the field.
Staff appointments at GHQ generally involve policy formulation, planning, intelligence, personnel matters and coordination of military operations, while command appointments involve the direct leadership and administration of formations or operational organisations.
The appointment of a new DG Military Intelligence is particularly significant within the Army’s senior intelligence leadership. Similarly, divisional command gives a Major General direct responsibility for a major military formation.
The new Frontier Corps appointments also come with security and border-management responsibilities in Balochistan, while the Pakistan Coast Guard appointment carries responsibilities linked to security along the country’s coastline and efforts against illegal activities.
According to the sources, the newly appointed officers are expected to assume charge of their respective assignments in the coming days, completing another round of changes in the Pakistan Army’s senior command and staff structure.
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