- Army chief General Bajwa retires today.
- He spent six years as the Chief of the Army Staff.
- Next army chief General Asim will be 17th military commander.
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa is set to retire today after spending six years in office as the army chief, Geo News reported Tuesday.
He will hand over the “baton of command” to General Asim Munir, who Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed on November 24. The august ceremony of change of command will be held at the Pakistan Army’s general headquarters (GHQ) at 9am today, the ISPR said. Former military leaders will also participate in the function.
General Munir will be the 17th army chief to hold this baton of command.
Earlier on Monday, General Bajwa called on President Arif Alvi and PM Shehbaz to formally bid farewell as army chief. In a meeting at the President’s House, Dr Arif Alvi paid tribute to General Bajwa for his exceptional services to the nation against all external and internal threats.
The President also wished the outgoing commander of the armed forces all the best for the future. PM Shehbaz hosted a luncheon in his honour. During his meeting with the premier, Shehbaz lauded him for his meritorious services.
Coming army chief Asim Munir
General Munir was commissioned in the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment in 1986. He graduated from the 17th Officers’ Training course, Mangla, with the sword of honor.
He is currently posted as the quartermaster general at the General Head Quarters.
The army chief-designate graduated from Fuji school Japan, Command and Staff College, Quetta, Malaysian Armed Forces College, Kuala Lumpur and National Defence University, Islamabad.
He also has M Phil in Public Policy and Strategic Security Management from National Defence University.
The quartermaster general was also posted as a directing staff in Command and Staff College, Quetta, brigade major of a deployed infantry brigade in Kel, general staff officer, grade-2, CGS secretariat and chief of staff of Mangla corps.
General Munir has commanded the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment, Infantry Brigade, served as a force commander in Northern Areas, Gilgit and Corps Commander 30 Corps, Gujranwala.
The incoming army chief has also served as the director general of Military Intelligence.
In 2018, Gen Munir was appointed as the director-general of the Inter-Services Intelligence.
Following this, he was posted as corps commander Gujranwala for two years. After heading the Gujranwala corps he was posted at his present assignment at the GHQ.
Gen Munir will become the first army chief who has headed both the MI and the ISI. He will also be the first army chief awarded the Sword of Honour.
The army chief designate is a keen sportsman, avid reader, and traveller.