Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has assured the nation that the armed forces have distanced themselves from politics and wanted to continue to do so. Gen Bajwa’s remarks came at a lunch hosted at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington, where he reiterated his promise to leave office after completing his second term as the army chief in November, adding that he would fulfil the pledge he made earlier.
The army chiefs statement on not seeking or accepting any extension has put to rest the ongoing criticism and talks about Imran Khan’s wish to defer the appointment of the new Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) until early elections are held and new government takes over.
General Bajwa, who is 61 will retire on November 29. He was given an extension for a second term of three years in 2019 by Imran Khan.
The Pakistan army chief has held the position for six years now after being appointed in 2016.
The appointment of the Army chief is the sole prerogative of the prime minister in Pakistan.
Ever since Khan assumed power, he has been accused by the Opposition parties of trying to bring an army chief of his choice so that he could victimise opposition leaders and keep a clout on the politics of Pakistan.
But after losing power, the equations have changed. Imran Khan and his party PTI are now accusing the coalition government of wanting to appoint an army head of its choice in order to influence the general elections.
Notably, the army in Pakistan has ruled the country for more than half of its 75-plus years of existence and therefore wields immense power in matters like security and foreign affairs.