Inside details of Pakistan Military's change of command ceremony

RAWALPINDI: Here's what will happen on the morning of November 29, when Gen. Raheel Sharif hangs his boots and Gen. Qamar Javed officially takes over as the country's new army chief. 

General Qamar Javed Bajwa will be handed over the baton of command of Pakistan Army on the morning of November 29, 2016 at 10:00 am. Prior to the commencement of the ceremony, incumbent Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif will pin badges on his successor at the General Headquarters (GHQ) before accompanying him to the venue, where the ceremony will be held.

Upon arriving at the venue, General Raheel Sharif will be saluted by the Frontier Force regiment while General Qamar Javed Bajwa will be saluted by the Baloch regiment. Senior officials of Pakistan Navy and Pakistan Air Force will also be present to witness the new Chief of Army Staff take charge of the country's military. 

The most important part of the ceremony will occur when General Raheel Sharif will present the baton of command to his successor, General Qamar Bajwa. Members of the cabinet will also take part in the ceremony as would the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Hayat.

Foreign diplomats, journalists and senior retired army generals will also be issued invites to witness the ceremony. 

Over the past couple of years, Gen. (r) Pervez Musharraf handed over the baton of command to Gen (r.) Ashfaq Pervez Kayani in 2007 while Gen. Kayani presented it to Gen. Raheel Sharif in 2013.