COAS Bajwa is making farewell visits, is he really going to retire?

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Sialkot and Mangla garrisons to bid farewell to various formations, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Thursday.

The head of the armed forces met officers and men at both locations and addressed the troops even as speculations raged about whether the Chief will ask for or be offered an extension of tenure.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) visited Sialkot and Mangla garrisons as part of his farewell visits to various formations. COAS met officers and men at both locations and addressed the troops.@OfficialDGISPR
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— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) November 10, 2022

At the garrison, General Bajwa appreciated the formations for their excellent performance during various operations, training, and natural calamities. Moreover, he also advised them to keep serving the nation with zeal and commitment regardless of circumstances.

According to the military’s media wing, on his arrival in Sialkot, the COAS was received by Lieutenant General Muhammad Aamer and by Lieutenant General Ayman Bilal Safdar at Mangla garrison.

Earlier, on arrival at Sialkot, COAS was received by Lieutenant General Muhammad Aamer and by Lieutenant General Ayman Bilal Safdar at Mangla garrison.@OfficialDGISPR
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— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) November 10, 2022

Earlier this week, COAS Bajwa visited Peshawar Corps Headquarters where he urged officers to stay focused on their professional duties and serve the nation. A few weeks ago, the army chief also took the top military commanders into confidence about his retirement plan.

Last month, during an informal talk at the National Defence University (NDU) the COAS reportedly stated that he would retire on the due date—November 29. The statement however did not quell rumors about an extension in his service tenure.

Qamar Javed Bajwa is set to retire after six years in office. He was appointed in 2016 by then-Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif and later granted an additional three-year extension in 2019 by former PM Imran Khan.

It has been reported this week that suggestions were made to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the leadership of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) by “certain elements” to convince the COAS to continue as the head of the armed forces.

Some reports suggested that the government was told to give an extension to the incumbent army chief, and dissolve the government so that an interim government could be formed which would then continue for six to seven months.

The Chief’s farewell visits might now finally put all speculation to rest.