Everything will be all right on LoC soon: Gen Bajwa

Takes over as new COAS; vows not to disappoint nation;
says he has heavy responsibility on his shoulders; General Raheel asks India not to construe Pakistan’s restraint as weakness

RAWALPINDI: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Tuesday everything will be all right on the Line of Control (LoC) soon.

General Bajwa took over as the COAS from General Raheel Sharif on completion of his three-year tenure. The outgoing COAS, General Raheel Sharif, handed over the ‘command stick’ to General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the change-of-command ceremony held here at the Army Hockey Stadium, adjacent to the General Headquarters.

In his maiden interaction with the media after the ceremony, General Bajwa appreciated the role of the media in safeguarding the national interests and nation building, expressing the hope that it would continue its positive role in this regard. He vowed that he would not disappoint the nation and fulfil the heavy responsibility on his shoulders in a befitting manner.

A smartly turned-out contingent of Northern Light Infantry, Frontier Force, Sindh Regiment and flag-party led by Major Haris Aslam presented the general salute to General Raheel and General Qamar Bajwa. General Raheel reviewed the guard of honour.

Among others, the ceremony was attended by Minister for Defence Khawaja Asif, Minister for Defence Production Rana Tanveer Hussain, Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mehmood Hayat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, senior officers of the armed forces and foreign diplomats.

Corps Commander Multan Lieutenant General Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmed and Corps Commander Bahawalpur, the two three-star superseded  Army officers who attended the ceremony.

Another salient feature of the event was presence of course mates (retired officers) of General Qamar Bajwa and their families for whom a separate enclosure was reserved. During the ceremony, they also raised slogans of Pakistan Army Zindabad and Pakistan Zindabad.

General Bajwa was commissioned in 16 Baloch Regiment on October 24, 1980. He is a graduate of Canadian Forces Command and Staff College, (Toronto) Canada, Naval Postgraduate University, Monteray (California) USA, National Defence University, Islamabad.

Qamar Bajwa has been an instructor at School of Infantry and Tactics, Quetta, Command and Staff College, Quetta and NDU. He has also been Brigade Major of an Infantry Brigade and Chief of Staff of Rawalpindi Corps.

General Bajwa has commanded 16 Baloch Regiment, an Infantry Brigade and Infantry Division in Northern Areas (Commander FCNA). He has also commanded Pakistan Contingent in Congo. He has commanded Rawalpindi Corps, and was Inspector General Training and Evaluation at the GHQ before taking over as COAS.

Prior to attending the graceful ceremony, General Raheel visited the Martyrs’ Monument (Yadgar-e-Shuhada) at the GHQ, laid wreaths and offered Fateha for the martyrs. General Qamar Javed Bajwa was also present on the occasion. 

  Earlier, in his farewell address, General Raheel warned India not to take Pakistan’s policy of patience and restraint as its weakness, making it clear that such understanding would be dangerous for India.

"I want to warn India that considering Pakistan's policy of patience and restraint as its weakness will be dangerous for itself (India)," he said.

He observed that unfortunately, in recent months, increasing state terrorism in Indian Held Kashmir (IHK) and India’s aggressive steps have put the region’s peace in danger. He said that lasting peace in the South Asian region could not be achieved without resolving Kashmir issue. He urged the international community to give special attention towards the issue for its peaceful resolution.

General Raheel said the Pakistan Army was fully capable of protecting the country from evil designs of enemies.

During his speech, General Raheel talked about the Pakistan Army's achievements during the last three years, saying that he felt proud that his energies remained dedicated to a dignified and greatest nation and for a bright profession.

General Raheel said he believes in stability of institutions. He said he always gave priority to national interests and for that purpose, he fully utilised his energies. He said a successful fight against the menace of terrorism and tide of history was turned.

"We fought a successful war against terrorism and changed tide of the history and gave a new hope of peace for region, particularly for people of Pakistan. He thanked people of Pakistan, civil armed forces and particularly the intelligence agencies for their contributions in fight against terrorism.

He said whether it is China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), operation in Karachi or Zarb-e-Azb, the fruits of successes in all fields could be felt. He said he was thankful to the nation and people of Pakistan Army for these successes.

General Raheel said the people of Pakistan and Army should continue to believe in Almighty Allah's support and in their abilities. He said it is also good luck of Pakistan Army that its new chief is highly professional man with a bright career.