Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif named a new military chief Wednesday, bypassing seniority to install a low-profile army general in the powerful position.
Sharif's selection of a new army chief of staff after months of deliberations comes as Pakistan is struggling to contain violence by Islamist militants that has killed more than 45,000 civilians and soldiers over the past decade. Pakistan's military is facing renewed tension with India and is concerned about security in neighboring Afghanistan as most NATO troops prepare to withdraw by the end of next year.
In what is widely viewed as Sharif's most important decision since he took office in June, he selected Lt. Gen. Raheel Sharif, who hails from a distinguished military family and is the army's inspector general for training.