ISLAMABAD: General Qamar Javed Bajwa has taken over as Pakistan's new army chief, succeeding Gen Raheel Sharif at a ceremony in Rawalpindi. Gen Raheel handed over the command of the army to the Chief of Army Staff Bajwa at the event held in the Army Hockey Stadium.
The update came after weeks of intense speculation of Gen Raheel extending his term. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif appointed Lt General Bajwa as the chief, handing him the world's sixth largest army by troop numbers, and making him one of the most powerful men in the country. A top Indian Army officer said, "Gen Bajwa is well-versed with the complexities, nature of operations and terrain along the LoC. He has also handled Kashmir extensively during his career. But it's too premature to say anything. Both Generals Pervez Musharraf and Ashfaq Kayani proved different from initial assessments."
The new chief has served as corps commander Rawalpindi, which controls the twin headquarters of government and military, Islamabad and Rawalpindi, besides being responsible for security of the region along the line of control. General Zubair Hayat, senior-most three star general has been appointed chairman of the joint chiefs of staff committee. A PM's spokesman said President Mamnoon Hussain promoted Bajwa and Hayat to four-star generals on Sharif's advice. It is believed that the new army would play a crucial role in mending ways with the civilian rulers of the country.
Bajwa's military colleagues said that he is not attention-seeking individual, and believes in being well-connected with his troops. This regiment has till date given three Army chiefs to Pakistan. Moreover, Gen. Bajwa was posted in the X Corps which is responsible for nearly the entire active border areas with India, thrice in different capacities and has a good experience of handling Kashmir's affairs, which is indicative of the fact that with his appointment as new chief, there will be any major shift of Pakistan towards Kashmir and dealing with Kashmir issue with India. General Bikram Singh, a former head of India's army who served with Bajwa in the Congo as part of a United Nations peacekeeping force, praised Bajwa's conduct as a soldier during their time in Africa.
