Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa said on Sunday that democracy was flourishing in the country with time. He was speaking to the media at President Arif Alvi’s oath-taking ceremony. “Democratic institutions are quickly becoming more robust and will only get stronger with the passage of time,” Gen Qamar said, adding, “This is an important day for the continuity of democracy in the country.” Alvi was sworn in as Pakistan’s 13th head of state in a ceremony held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad. Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar administered the oath in a ceremony, which was attended by top civil-military brass including Prime Minister Imran Khan, the COAS and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Zubair Hayat. Saudi and Chinese diplomats also attended the presidential oath. The newly-sworn in president was later given his first guard of honour by a contingent of the armed forces at Aiwan-e-Sadr. Published in Daily Times, September 10th 2018.