Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif picked up General Qamar Javed Bajwa as the 16th Chief of Army Staff (COAS), putting an end to weeks of intense speculation pertaining to appointment on the powerful post. General Bajwa will take command of the Pakistan Army from incumbent Army Chief General Raheel Sharif on November 29. Meanwhile, General Zubair Mahmood Hayat has been appointed Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC). Incumbent CJCSC General Rashad Mahmood is also set to retire on November 29. President Mamnoon Hussain promoted the two lieutenant generals to the rank of four-star generals on the advice of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.General Qamar Javed Bajwa was commissioned in 16 Baloch Regiment on 24 October 1980. He is graduate of Canadian Forces Command and Staff College, (Toronto) Canada, Naval Post Graduate University, Monteray( California) USA, National Defence Univesity, Islamabad. He 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. He has commanded 16 Baloch Regiment, an Infantry Brigade and has commanded Infantry Division in Northern Areas (Commander FCNA). General Bajwa has also commanded Pakistan Contingent in Congo. He has commanded Rawalpindi Corps, and his last position was Inspector General Training and Evaluation at GHQ. General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, graduated from Command and Staff College Camberley, United Kingdom, and National Defence University, Islamabad. The general served on key posts throughout his career. As a major general, Hayat served as General Officer Commanding (GOC) Sialkot and led Staff Duties Directorate. He was elevated to lieutenant general in January 2013 and was instated as corps commander Bahawalpur. He was later appointed as the director general (DG) of the Strategic Plans Division in December 2013. The division, formed in 2001, is vital to research for and development of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, and it works as the secretariat of National Command Authority. After this crucial responsibility, General Zubair Hayat was appointed as Chief of General Staff (CGS). Hayat hails from a military family. His father retired from Pakistan Army as a major general. The defence minister expressed hope that the government and military leadership will continue to work together for the betterment of the country. Army chief designate Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa and nominated CJCSC Gen. Zubair Mahmood Hayat held meetings with the premier at PM House, Islamabad. The General Raheel Sharif had taken bold and decisive steps against war on terror that not only helped break the back of terrorists in tribal areas but also improved overall situation in country would always be remembered. Raheel’s contributions and commitment to implementation of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project and his firm and strong rejoinder to Indian hostility also earned him glory and reverence. This is the legacy that the new Army Chief would have to take forward. It is hoped that new Army Chief Qamar Javed General Bajwa fulfils his duties in the same manner that General Sharif did, and effectively lead the war on terror till the fully elimination of this menace from the country.
