DHAKA: Pakistan’s prime minister chose the brother of a dead war hero to be the next army chief on Wednesday, promoting an experienced general to arguably the most powerful position in the country.

Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s decision to appoint General Raheel Sharif, which was announced in a statement, was a sensitive one since the premier was toppled in a military coup in 1999 by the last army chief he selected, General Pervez Musharraf.

But retired army officers said the new chief, who is not related to the prime minister, largely will continue the policies of his predecessor, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, including avoiding overt interference in politics.

‘I think the army will continue to stay out of politics, and I think the power of the army will continue to get diluted over time,’ said defence analyst Talat Masood, a retired army general, reports The Straits Times.

BDST: 1739 HRS, NOV 27, 2013