The government’s coalition partners expressed complete confidence in the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, saying that they would stand by him on his decision on the appointments of the top two slots.

According to the sources, a consultation meeting of the government and its coalition partners was held in the Prime Minister’s House to discuss the appointment of the army chief.

Former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari, PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, federal minister Khurram Dastgir, BAP leader Khalid Magsi, foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, MQM-P leader Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui of MQM and others participated in the meeting.

Sources privy to the matter said that the prime minister took the allies in confidence ahead of forwarding the summary of army chief’s appointment to the President.

Following the meeting, PPP leader Qamar Zaman Kaira told the reporters that the coalition partners expressed their complete confidence in PM Shehbaz’s leadership and decided to stand by his decision on the key appointments.

Earlier Zardari held a meeting with PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat and discussed the current political situation.

Imran Khan says President Alvi will talk to him about appointments

Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan says that President Arif Alvi was in contact with him and would consult him on the appointment of the army chief.

“Being the party chief, the president will talk to me about the important appointments,” the former premier said talking to a private TV channel on Wednesday.

His statement came following the development that the Prime Minister’s Office has received the summary of the army chief’s appointment.

“The Prime Minister will take a decision on the appointments as per the laid down procedure,” it said in a tweet confirming the development.

Referring to the premier’s meeting with PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan said that the prime minister held a consultation meeting with an ‘absconder’ on the important appointment, adding that they were making a decision not for the country’s interest but for their personal interest.

“I have no issues with whoever is made the army chief but I want that the decision should be taken on merit,” he said.