Islamabad: Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa gave the public the assurance that the armed forces have kept a political distance and intend to do so in the future.
Bajwa, who was in the US, added that he would keep his promise to resign from office when his second three-year term ends in November. He addressed the audience during a luncheon held at the Pakistani embassy in Washington. Additionally, it follows accusations against the military made by the former prime Imran Khan. Several Pakistani diplomats were present during the meeting.
Bajwa has been occupying the army's highest position for six years. He was initially appointed in 2016. However, the Imran Khan government of the time extended his contract for a further three years in 2019. The prime minister alone has the power to nominate the Army commander. The anticipated selection of a new Army chief has received unfavourable media attention.
Imran Khan claims that the coalition government intends to appoint an army chief of its choosing in order to protect looted assets and rig general elections after he lost power. Over half of the nation's more than 75 years of existence have been spent under the control of the strong army.
