Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Monday expressed his ‘satisfaction’ over the preparedness of the country’s top spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), during a visit to the ISI headquarters in Islamabad.

According to the military’s media wing, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the COAS was briefed on the country’s internal security situation as well as Afghanistan. After the briefing, the army chief expressed his ‘satisfaction’ over the ISI’s preparedness, the statement added.

ISI Director General Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed received the army chief upon his arrival. The visit is significant against the backdrop of the recent controversy over a military reshuffle.

On October 6, the ISPR announced the transfer of Lt Gen Faiz Hameed as corps commander Peshawar. He was supposed to be replaced by Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum, the incumbent corps commander Karachi.

However, in an unprecedented move, the PM Office did not issue the notification for Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum’s appointment, citing some “technical and procedural” issues.

The stand-off between the civilian and military leaderships over the appointment of new ISI chief brought the army’s routine postings to a standstill, while also setting the rumor mill into overdrive.

Since the prime minister has not signed the notification for appointment of Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum, the three-star general has not relinquished the charge as corps commander Karachi.

Lt Gen Muhammad Saeed, currently serving as National Defence University (NDU) president, has also not been able take charge as the corps commander Karachi. Lt Gen Nauman Mahmood, currently serving as the corps commander Peshawar, has also not been able to join the NDU as its new president.