Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Lieutenant General (Retired) Nasser Khan Janjua resigned on Wednesday, the country’s Cabinet Division said in a notification. Janjua’s office said he had quit “to morally coincide and principally support the process of democracy upon completion of the tenure of the previous government”, The Express Tribune reported.
A few political parties had allegedly complained to interim Prime Minister Nasir Ul Mulk about the government not replacing Janjua – who former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had appointed in October 2015 – ahead of the general elections on July 25, Geo News reported.
Last week, Mulk sacked Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader Marvi Memon as the chairperson of the Benazir Income Support Programme.
Janjua was the second military official to hold the post after Major General (retired) Mehmood Durrani, who had been appointed by a Pakistan Peoples Party-led government. Janjua led the Southern Command in Quetta before retiring from the Army, Dawn reported. Before that, he headed the National Defence University, the military’s higher education institute and premier think-tank on national security matters.
Limited-time offer: Big stories, small price. Keep independent media alive. Become a Scroll member today!
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!