Islamabad: Consolidating his hold on the Military, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today (Oct 2, 2004) appointed Chief of the country's powerful spy agency ISI Gen Ahsanul Haq as chairman of the Joint Chief of Military staff after promoting him to the rank of four-star General.

He also promoted Karachi corps commander Ahsan Saleem Hayat, who escaped an assassination attempt by militants in June, and appointed him as Vice Chief of Army.

While General Haq will be replacing Gen Muhammad Aziz Khan, Gen Hayat will be taking over from Gen Yousaf Khan, who is also retiring.

The appointments by Musharraf, who has given strong and open hints in the recent weeks to continue in uniform, were seen as key to retain his hold on the Army if he were to continue as President and Chief of Army till 2007.

The appointments were seen as a first phase of a major exercise of reshuffle of top commanders by Musharraf to prepare the Army for a 'paradigm shift' in thinking and orientation to fit into the modern, progressive and welfare Islamic State he envisaged.

A major reshuffle of Corps Commanders was expected to follow in the coming days.

Significantly, Musharraf has recently said he would await the retirement of the Gen Aziz and Gen Yousaf before announcing his decision whether to continue as Chief of Army or not.