Gen Asim Munir takes over as 17th COAS today

RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Army’s change of command ceremony will be held today (Tuesday), said the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), marking the time-honoured tradition that symbolises the seamless transition of the military leadership.

Outgoing Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa will hand the “baton of command” to Gen Asim Munir, who was chosen by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on November 24.

The passing of the baton from an outgoing COAS to an incoming one conveys a cardinal message to the troops the military leadership continues without a break in command. The summary of his appointment was ratified by President Arif Alvi. Gen Asim Munir will be the 17th army chief to assume the command of the Pakistan Army, reports Geo News.

Former military leaders will also participate in a ceremony at the GHQ. Gen Munir was commissioned in the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment in 1986. He passed out with the 17th Officers Training course, Mangla and was awarded the coveted sword of honour.

He is currently posted as the quartermaster general at the General Headquarters. 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 done M. Phil in Public Policy and Strategic Security Management from the National Defence University. The quartermaster general was also posted as a directing staff at the 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.

Gen Munir has commanded 23rd Frontier Force Regiment, Infantry Brigade, remained as a force commander in Northern Areas, Gilgit and Corps Commander 30 Corps, Gujranwala. The incoming army chief has also served as DG Military Intelligence.

In 2018, Gen Munir was appointed as 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. The army chief designate is a keen sportsman, avid reader, and traveler.