RAWALPINDI ( Web News )
General Asim Munir assumed charge as the Chief of Army Staff at an impressive change of command ceremony at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
Outgoing Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa handed over the command stick to General Asim Munir symbolizing the change of command.
General Asim Munir is the 17th Chief of the Army Staff.
In his farewell address, Outgoing Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa felicitated Asim Munir’s elevation to the seat of Army Chief, expressing the confidence that his promotion will prove to be highly positive both for the country and Pakistan Army.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa said General Asim Munir is Hafiz-e-Quran, a professional and capable officer and a man of principal. He was confident that under the leadership of Asim Munir, Pakistan Army will achieve more successes and further serve and defend the country.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa said he is honored to have served this great Army. He said during his six year tenure as the Army Chief, Pakistan Army tackled challenges be it the situation on the line of control, terrorism or the natural calamities.
Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa at the Yadgar-e-Shuhda for the last time as chief of army staff with his successor Gen Asim Munir. — Screengrab/PTV
General Qamar Javed Bajwa said he is proud of Pakistan Army that despite limited resources it is fulfilling the responsibility of defending each nook and corner of the country.
He said Pakistan today is abode of peace because of our sacrifices which are also acknowledged both by our foe and friends.
The ceremony was attended amongst others by federal cabinet members, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Air Chief Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, high ranking civil and military officials and foreign delegates.
Earlier, General Asim Munir and General Qamar Javed Bajwa laid floral wreath at the martyrs’ monument.
Gen Munir was commissioned in the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment in 1986. He passed out with the 17th Officers Training course, Mangla and was awarded the coveted sword of honour.
Before taking charge he was posted as the quartermaster general at the General Head Quarters.
Before taking charge as COAS, Gen Munir was also posted as a directing staff in Command and Staff College, Quetta, brigade major of a deployed infantry brigade in Kel, general staff officer, grade-2, CGS secretariat and chief of staff of Mangla corps.
Gen Munir has commanded the 23rd Frontier Force Regiment, Infantry Brigade, remained as a force commander in Northern Areas, Gilgit.
The incoming army chief has also served as the director general of Military Intelligence (MI).
In 2018, Gen Munir was appointed as the director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and later transferred as corps commander Gujranwala.
After heading the Gujranwala corps, he was posted as quartermaster general which was his last assignment before becoming COAS.
Gen Munir graduated from Fuji school Japan, Command and Staff College, Quetta, Malaysian Armed Forces College, Kuala Lumpur and National Defence University, Islamabad.
The general also has M Phil in Public Policy and Strategic Security Management from National Defence University.
Gen Munir has become the first army chief who has headed both — MI and ISI. He is also the first army chief awarded the Sword of Honour.
Gen Munir is a keen sportsman, avid reader, traveller and also a Hafiz e Quran.