Farewell to the general

Gen (r) Raheel Sharif’s tenure ended in a dignified manner. He has earned a great name for his institution as well as himself. His replacement, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, holds highly proficient records. With such a rich treasure of experience, he has a great responsibility on his shoulders to move ahead from where his predecessor left, maintaining the pace and momentum of bringing back normalcy, peace and stability in the country.

Gen Sharif’s daring initiative of Operation Zarb-e-Azab has been widely hailed by the international community. The security measures taken under the National Action Plan (NAP) helped make Pakistan stronger. He was very cautious of the importance of the trade agreement between China and Pakistan; he ensured the safety of the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and raised a 10,000-men guard to safeguard the routes and interests of the corridor. The time for the new chief is equally critical given internal and external challenges. It is expected that Gen Bajwa will continue with the ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb and the resolve to eliminate terrorism once and for all. The retirement of one courageous general and replacement by the other courageous one is quite worthy of praise as such a smooth transition helps strengthen the strategic institution and prevent it from enemy intrigues.

Amna Saqib

Islamabad