ISLAMABAD: General Asim Munir on Tuesday took over command of the Pakistan Army at a ceremony taking over from outgoing General Qamar Javed Bajwa amid a public debate on the military’s role and power in the country’s political system.
Bajwa, after completing an extended six-year term, is leading an institution that has historically ruled largely in matters of governance and foreign policy of the nuclear-armed South Asian nation.
He is also stepping down at a time when the military, which has ruled Pakistan for nearly half of its 75-year history, has come under intense criticism, arguably unprecedented for the all-powerful institution, especially For its role in politics.
At the center of the attacks is former prime minister Imran Khan and his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which has accused Bajwa of supporting the Shehbaz Sharif-led coalition government and helping it come to power through a parliamentary vote of no confidence . Khan was removed from the post in April. The army denies this.
“I am confident that under his leadership the Army will set new benchmarks of success,” Bajwa said of his successor at a change of command ceremony at the army headquarters in Rawalpindi.
God willing, his appointment will prove to be positive for the army and the country.
In a speech last week, Bajwa directly targeted Khan and said the army would play no role in national politics in future.
Regarding the army’s criticism based on Khan’s main allegation, the army chief said, “A situation of hysteria was created in the country on the pretext of a fake and false narrative.” Denied by the US.
Bajwa also said last week that the army had decided in February last year to give up any role in Pakistani politics.
Analysts doubted that this would happen, and soon after his retirement, his critics described his legacy as “political turmoil”.
“Gen. Bajwa has left behind a legacy of political turmoil, a shattered economy and a breakdown of trust between the military and the civilian population through his decisions.”
“There is massive damage control that the new GHQ (General Headquarters of the Army) will have to set up after General Bajwa’s departure,” said former human rights minister Shireen Mazari, referring to the new military leadership.
Prior to the handing over, Bajwa held a farewell meeting with PM Sharif and President Arif Alvi on Monday, in which both the leaders appreciated the outgoing officer’s services to Pakistan.
“Under the leadership of General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the Army displayed exemplary services in effectively dealing with various challenges, including the country’s exclusion from the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) gray list, the COVID-19 pandemic and the recent floods is included. the PM’s office said in a statement.
“You had the honor of leading the best army in the world.”
The army is now commanded by Munir, who has held some of the top positions in the army in a career spanning over three decades.
Described by the media as a “clear-headed” general, Munir grew up in the garrison town of Rawalpindi and is the son of a school principal. He received a prestigious award for officers, known as the Sword of Honour, as the top of his year at the Military Academy.
Munir previously served as Pakistan’s Chief of Military Intelligence in 2017 and Inter-Services Intelligence in 2018. He was abruptly removed as ISI chief after only eight months, widely believed to be at the request of the then Prime Minister Khan. No reason was given for his removal.
Before becoming the Army Chief, Munir was serving as the Quartermaster General of the Army.
Domestically, his appointment could impact Pakistan’s fragile democracy at a time of street protests and widespread calls for early elections. He will certainly lead Pakistan’s relations with neighboring India and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan, and choreograph the delicate dance of Islamabad’s relations with Beijing and Washington.