So, enter Lt Gen Nasir Khan, veteran of handling the western front, having experienced operations in Swat and with an earlier appointment as Chief of Staff at Quetta itself. It is as yet unclear whether he will ultimately replace Sartaj Aziz in all his avatars or simply take over the NSA slot to look more closely at the military situation vis-à-vis both the eastern and the western fronts. One report indicates that he will accompany Nawaz Sharif on an upcoming visit to the US while another points to the possibility of him taking over the appointment on Sharif’s return. Gen Nasir Khan does seem eminently suitable for the appointment of NSA if it has to be handled by an Army man. Firstly, he is junior to Gen Raheel Sharif and therefore will not wield the unnecessary seniority over an incumbent Chief.