Gen Asim Munir assumes command as Pakistan's 17th army chief
Pakistan
Gen Asim Munir was picked by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to succeed Gen Bajwa last week.
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) - The Change of Command ceremony for the chief of army staff took place Tuesday morning at GHQ in Rawalpindi, where General Asim Munir assumed command of Pakistan Army.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa was presented a farewell salute after he passed the baton of command to Gen Asim Munir.
Gen Munir was picked by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to succeed Gen Bajwa last week.
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Sahir Shamshad Mirza, senior serving and retired officers, diplomats as well as government functionaries were in attendance.
Addressing the ceremony prior to handing over the baton of command to Gen Munir, the outgoing COAS congratulated Gen Munir on being appointed his successor and hoped his promotion would be a cause for the progress of the country and the army. He went on to say that his association with Gen Munir goes back 24 years.
“In addition to being a Hafiz-i-Quran, he is a professional, capable and principled officer. I am certain that under his leadership the army will reach new heights of success.”
Reflecting on his military career, Gen Bajwa said the journey which began several decades ago was now coming to an end.
“I am thankful to God that he gave me the opportunity to work for this great army and gave me the opportunity to lead it,” he said.
Gen Bajwa said that the army’s sacrifices were acknowledged by the country’s friends and foes. “I am proud of my army that despite scarce resources, they defend the country’s boundaries from the ice-capped mountains of Siachen to the deserts of Thar.”
Prior to the ceremony, both Gen Bajwa and Gen Munir laid a wreath at the Yadgar-i-Shuhada (Monument to Martyrs) in GHQ and offered fateha.
Who is Gen Asim Munir?
Gen Munir entered the service via the Officers Training School (OTS) programme in Mangla and was commissioned into the 23rd Battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment.
Gen Munir commanded troops in the Force Command Northern Areas as a brigadier under Gen Bajwa, who was then Commander X Corps. He was appointed the DG of the Military Intelligence in early 2017 and then ISI Director General in October 2018.
Eight months later, Gen Munir was posted Gujranwala Corps Commander. He was moved to the GHQ as Quartermaster General two years later.
Gen Asim Munir is the recipient of the Sword of Honour from the 17th course of the Officers Training School in Mangla. Also, he is the recipient of the Hilal-i-Imtiaz.
He is a ‘Hafiz-e-Quran’ who memorized the Quran during his posting in Saudi Arabia as Lt Colonel.
