Islamabad: As his six-year-long term at the helm of the Pakistan Army comes to an end, outgoing Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa passed the baton to his successor, General Syed Asim Munir on Tuesday.
The change of command ceremony of the Pakistan Army took place at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, The Express Tribune reported.
Additionally, federal ministers, diplomats, dignitaries and journalists were also invited to the ceremony.
General Munir, the most senior ranking general after his predecessor, was appointed as the new army chief by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on November 24 after much speculation.
General Munir is the 17th COAS to assume the command of the Pakistan Army since the country’s independence.
The newly appointed military chief has served at the country’s two most influential intelligence agencies, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Military Intelligence (MI), The Express Tribune reported.
On Sunday, General Sahir Shamshad Mirza assumed his appointment as the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).
General Mirza replaced General Nadeem Raza, assuming what is technically the most senior position in the military but is considered ceremonial.
General Bajwa held separate farewell meetings with the president and prime minister on Monday, who expressed their good wishes to him during their meetings.
Later, the premier held a luncheon in honour of General Bajwa at the Prime Minister’s House.
Shehbaz Sharif appreciated General Bajwa’s services for Pakistan Army, national defence and national interests.
