The banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has put up a challenge for General Syed Asim Munir, a day after his resignation as Pakistan’s 17th Chief of Army Staff. The militant group ended its truce with a suicide blast in Quetta in which three people were martyred. The new army chief will have to take immediate steps to cope with challenges in Balochistan, Swat, and Waziristan, where the law and order situation is alarming. Gen Munir’s predecessor, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, stepped down after six years in charge of the army. It was a memorable day when the Pakistan Army’s prestigious change of command ceremony was held at the Army Stadium in Rawalpindi. The ceremony was attended by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, chiefs of the armed forces, current and retired military officers, and their families. The ceremony was also attended by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, and Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb. On the occasion, outgoing Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa handed over the ceremonial baton to the new Army Chief General Asim Munir. Earlier, the two generals paid a visit to the martyrs’ memorial, where they laid flowers and performed Fatiha.
In his statement on the event, outgoing Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa stated, “This army has always responded to my voice on every occasion during the past six years. It defends the country’s integrity regardless of language, colour, caste, or religion.” General Qamar Javed Bajwa has unquestionably served the Pakistan Army admirably. Under his direction, the Pakistan Army sacrificed their precious lives to free the nation from the terror monster, and as a result of their unmatched sacrifices, the nation now enjoys a climate of peace. Asim Munir is a general with lots of experience. He will surely uphold army traditions, prove to be the keeper of the army’s illustrious past, and unquestionably realize the nation’s hopes. He is supported by the nation’s prayers. Moreover, he should keep the institution apolitical, and only focus the professional development of the institution, and the defence of the country.
