<p> An Pakistani Army officer taking command of a brigade was enough to fuel coup rumours as the formation had in the past been used to secure Islamabad during a military take over.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The news of Brigadier Sarfraz Ali assuming command of the 111 Brigade came amid a showdown between the political leadership and the powerful military.<br /><br />Gilani asserted his authority by dismissing Naeem Khalid Lodhi, a retired lieutenant general widely seen to be close to army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. <br /><br />Pakistan's army warned that the prime minister's "critical comments" of the military would have "serious ramifications" with "potentially grievous consequences for the country".<br />Gilani has accused the army chief and the ISI chief, Lt. Gen. Shuja Pasha of violating the constitution by submitting illegal replies to the Supreme Court on a memo sent to Washington that said President Asif Ali Zardari had feared a military take over following last year's killing of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.<br /><br />The Inter-Services Public Relations confirmed Wednesday that Brigadier Sarfraz Ali had taken over command of the 111 Brigade.<br /><br />It, however, was quick to add that the posting was "routine".<br />The 111 Brigade is has been frequently involved in military coup d’etats, The News International reported.<br /><br />It said that the outgoing commander, Brigadier Javed, was promoted to major general several weeks ago and posted as a division commander in Lahore.<br /><br />The 111 Brigade is part of the Rawalpindi Corps and is equipped to carry out special operations, the media report said.<br /><br />“The change does not mean anything as both the outgoing and incoming military officers are under military discipline and cannot do anything without the consent/approval of the General Headquarters,” a former military officer was quoted as saying. <br /><br />Pakistan has been ruled a string of military strongmen, the last of whom was General Pervez Musharraf. Having grabbed power in a bloodless coup in October 1999, Musharraf ruled as chief executive 1999-2001 and as president 2001-08.</p>
<p> An Pakistani Army officer taking command of a brigade was enough to fuel coup rumours as the formation had in the past been used to secure Islamabad during a military take over.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The news of Brigadier Sarfraz Ali assuming command of the 111 Brigade came amid a showdown between the political leadership and the powerful military.<br /><br />Gilani asserted his authority by dismissing Naeem Khalid Lodhi, a retired lieutenant general widely seen to be close to army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. <br /><br />Pakistan's army warned that the prime minister's "critical comments" of the military would have "serious ramifications" with "potentially grievous consequences for the country".<br />Gilani has accused the army chief and the ISI chief, Lt. Gen. Shuja Pasha of violating the constitution by submitting illegal replies to the Supreme Court on a memo sent to Washington that said President Asif Ali Zardari had feared a military take over following last year's killing of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden.<br /><br />The Inter-Services Public Relations confirmed Wednesday that Brigadier Sarfraz Ali had taken over command of the 111 Brigade.<br /><br />It, however, was quick to add that the posting was "routine".<br />The 111 Brigade is has been frequently involved in military coup d’etats, The News International reported.<br /><br />It said that the outgoing commander, Brigadier Javed, was promoted to major general several weeks ago and posted as a division commander in Lahore.<br /><br />The 111 Brigade is part of the Rawalpindi Corps and is equipped to carry out special operations, the media report said.<br /><br />“The change does not mean anything as both the outgoing and incoming military officers are under military discipline and cannot do anything without the consent/approval of the General Headquarters,” a former military officer was quoted as saying. <br /><br />Pakistan has been ruled a string of military strongmen, the last of whom was General Pervez Musharraf. Having grabbed power in a bloodless coup in October 1999, Musharraf ruled as chief executive 1999-2001 and as president 2001-08.</p>