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Pakistan: Distance from politics is necessary, army will get respect, big statement of retiring General Bajwa

Islamabad. A day before his retirement, Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that his decision to keep the military establishment “apolitical” will insulate the army from the “uncertainties of politics” in the coup-prone country. Gen Bajwa will retire on November 29 at the age of 61 after a three-year extension. Pakistan has appointed Lieutenant General Asim Munir as the new army chief, who will replace the current General Bajwa.

He emphasized that the Pakistan Army has “decided to de-politicalize its role, limiting it to the constitutionally mandated task”. In an interview to the UAE-based newspaper ‘Gulf News’, General Bajwa said, “The decision, though being viewed negatively by a section of the society and causing personal criticism, (but it) is a reflection of the democratic culture.” will help revive and strengthen the state machinery to perform effectively and deliver. Above all, this decision will help in enhancing the prestige of the Army in the long run.

In his last public address as Pakistan’s army chief, General Bajwa on Wednesday said there was “unconstitutional” interference in politics by the military establishment in the last 70 years, leading to criticism from the general public and politicians. He said in the interview, “Pakistan army has always had an important role in national decision making. Because of its historical role in the country’s politics, the military has been criticized by the public and politicians alike.” His statement comes as the military establishment has reiterated in recent months that it has decided to remain apolitical.

The top Army officer’s statement came amid allegations that it (Army) interferes in the country’s politics, often taking sides of one political party or the other. General Bajwa said that when the army was seen to be involved in political affairs, public support and affinity for the armed forces declined.

“Therefore, I thought it prudent to insulate the army from the uncertainties of politics in Pakistan,” he said. Bajwa was appointed as the army chief in 2016 and his three-year term was extended in 2019 by the then Prime Minister Imran Khan. Imran, however, later became a big critic of the army.

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