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Is now the new Pakistani army chief: General Asim Munir (right)
Photo: - / dpa
Pakistan's government on Thursday appointed former intelligence chief Syed Asim Munir as chief of staff of the Pakistani armed forces.
"The process was completed in accordance with the law and the constitution," Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told reporters.
The appointment had been sent to the President for confirmation.
The nuclear power Pakistan has the world's sixth largest military, which has a major influence on the politics of the Muslim country with around 220 million inhabitants.
Since Pakistan's independence in 1947, the army has staged three coups and ruled the country for a total of more than three decades.
Even in times of civilian government, the army chief is seen as the true kingmaker.
He must deal with numerous domestic security threats and balance power with arch-rival India, with whom the country has already fought three wars.
Fallout with ex-Prime Minister Khan
Munir previously headed the powerful intelligence agency ISI under the government of ex-Prime Minister Imran Khan.
However, he had to vacate his position after just eight months - according to media reports because of a rift with Khan.
He resigns his post in times of political unrest.
Former Prime Minister Khan, who was overthrown by a vote of no confidence in April, is calling on his supporters to stage mass protests to force the government to hold early elections.
He was assassinated at the beginning of November.
The incident took place in Punjab province.
Khan was shot in the leg - and wounded.
One of Khan's supporters was killed and 13 others wounded in the attack.
The attack raised concerns about growing political instability in Pakistan - a country with a long history of political violence and assassinations.
After the attack, Khan's supporters demonstrated in different parts of the country, chanting anti-military slogans and vowing to avenge the attack.
Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah Khan then said some of Khan's party members were trying to create chaos in the country.
He described the suspected shooter as a "religious extremist" who in some of his recent public speeches had accused the ex-PM of comparing himself to prophets.
dop/AFP