Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa retires as 16th ‘Chief of the Army Staff’
General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Tuesday retired as the 16th chief of the army staff (COAS) after handing over the ‘baton of command’ to his successor General Syed Asim Munir.
Gen Bajwa served for the six years as the chief of Pakistan’s powerful army.
He was initially appointed as COAS in November 2016 for a three-year term. His tenure was extended for another three years in August 2019. However, the Supreme Court (SC) suspended the extension in November 2019.
The apex court extended General Bajwa’s term for six months and asked the Parliament to pass legislation on the re-appointment of services chiefs.
In January 2020, the PTI-led parliament passed legislation, putting the matter of the extension in the tenure of services chiefs at the discretion of the PM.
Yesterday, former COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa called on President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to say his farewell as the 16th Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa paid a farewell visit to President Dr. Arif Alvi at President’s House.
According to the statement issued by the Presidency, the President appreciated the services of General Qamar Javed Bajwa in the defence sector.
The statement further said that PresidentAlvi also appreciated Gen Bajwa’s services for the country and Pakistan Army.
“President Arif Alvi expressed his best wishes for the future of General Qamar Javed Bajwa,” statement added.
On the other hand, Outgoing COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa had a farewell meeting with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House (PMH).
PM Shehbaz Sharif appreciated Army Chief’s services for Pakistan Army, national defence and national interests.
“Army under the leadership of General Qamar Javed Bajwa has rendered exemplary services in various crises including the removal of Pakistan’s name from the grey list of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Corona epidemic and floods,” PM said.
