General Asim Munir assumes charge as new Army Chief

General Asim Munir on Tuesday assumed charge as the new Chief of Army Staff at an impressive change of command ceremony at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Tuesday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Outgoing Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa handed over the command baton to General Asim Munir symbolizing the change of command.

General Asim Munir is the 17th Chief of the Army Staff.

In his farewell address, 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 the Pakistan Army.

General Bajwa said General Asim Munir is Hafiz-e-Quran, a professional and capable officer and a man of principles. He was confident that under the leadership of Asim Munir, Pakistan Army will achieve more successes and further serve and defend the country.

Bajwa said he was honoured to have served this great Army. He said during his six-year tenure Pakistan Army tackled challenges be it the situation on the Line of Control, terrorism or the natural calamities. 

General 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 foes and friends.

The ceremony was attended amongst others by federal cabinet members, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General 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 wreaths at the martyrs' monument and offered prayers.

ISI DG in good mood

Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmed Anjum was seen in a happy mood at the change of command ceremony of Pakistan Army.

He, however, avoided answering questions of the media and said that he had spoken as much truth as he could, and would not say anything more.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said on the occasion that the change of command in Pakistan Army had taken place in a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere which was welcoming. “Now domestic affairs will also improve,” he added.

Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had tried to make the change of command issue controversial but failed.

“The new army chief is highly professional and has excellent capabilities,” he stated and hoped that under his leadership, Pakistan Army would make further progress.

He also congratulated the new army chief General Asim Munir on assuming the command of Pakistan Army.

Qamar Bajwa given warm send-off

Earlier, the change of command ceremony was held in the ground of General Headquarters (GHQ), Rawalpindi after which outgoing Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa was seen off in a dignified manner.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, new Army Chief General Asim Munir, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar, and other senior military officers were present on the occasion.

Reporter Ahmad Mansoor