Daily Times

However tough the situation may be, history divulges not to change the front fighter in the situation of war.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa took charge as the 10th COAS on November 29, 2016, when Pakistan was in a warfare state. Pakistan was facing challenges all in all. Former Chief of Army Staff, Raheel Sharif started Operation Zarb-e-Azb and wiped out terrorists’ abode.

Meanwhile, the Panama scandal broke like a wild forest fire, which affected peace initiatives in Pakistan. Since 1981, no census was conducted neither the affairs amid the judiciary and parliament made appreciable.

Talking about international affairs, Pakistan had no firm relations with the US. The reason behind is the Afghan issue and fewer efforts undertaken to counter terrorism by the former government.

Terms with Saudi Arabia were strained. This could be justified by a weak foreign policy. So was the case with the other countries.

Imran Khan is now expanding his powers. To act for crucial strategic matters and challenges, he extended General Bajwa’s charge. Accordingly, General Bajwa can answer every evil eye that dares look at Pakistan. However tough the situation may be, history divulges not to change the front fighter in the situation of war.

Surprising everyone, on February 27, 2019, General Bajwa made it loud and clear that the Pakistan army was ready to counter any attack by the rival country. Meanwhile, India still defied the defeat.

Now, the armed forces and the government of Pakistan stand united upon the Kashmir issue. They want a peaceful Pakistan. To stand with Kashmir, Pakistan expelled Indian ambassador Ajay Bisaria; aborted trade and dismissed the train and bus service.

Considering the existing hostile situation between the two neighbours after the Pulwama attack, Kartarpur corridor can serve as a peace gesture and confidence-building measure between India and Pakistan.

General Bajwa and Imran Khan took the initiative, which could not only serve as a tool of religious and cultural diplomacy but also promote peace and harmony by bringing people of the two countries together.

On July 24, 2019, upon the visit of CAOS to the US, he was presented with a 21-gun salute. The regional security situation and bilateral military cooperation between Pakistan and the US dominated the discussions between General Bajwa and the US military leadership. Thereafter, the relations between Islamabad and the White House strengthened.

To strengthen relations with China, General Bajwa played a vital role. He ensured Chinese President Xi Jing Ping and other officials upon the complications regarding Silk Route and CPEC by India. He made it sure that that projects would be completed and that Pakistan-China relations would grow under the government of Imran Khan

The ongoing Afghan peace process remained a major point of discussion during General Bajwa’s meeting with US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. The two also talked about the importance of bilateral relations. Since then, Trump has not repeated his mantra of “do more,” but appreciated the peace initiatives taken by Pakistan.

On December 18, 2016, upon the visit of the COAS to Saudi Arabia, General Bajwa met Shah Suleman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud. Both agreed upon establishing brotherly relations. Thereupon, Shah Suleman came up with a statement. It is the responsibility of the Islamic countries to stabilise the Muslim ummah. General Bajwa met General Abdul Rahman bin Saleh, the Chief of General Staff of Saudi forces. The two agreed on military assistance.

To strengthen relations with China, General Bajwa played a vital role. He ensured Chinese President Xi Jing Ping and other officials upon the complications regarding Silk Route and CPEC by India. He made it sure that that projects would be completed and that Pakistan-China relations would grow under the government of Imran Khan.

On October 18, 2016, General Bajwa met UAE Vice President, Sheikh Muhammad Bin Rashed al Maktoum normalised the hard relations between the UAE and Pakistan, which had ensued due to the actions of the former government. Relations with other ally countries were also discussed. After this visit, the government of the UAE gave immigrants a lot of facilities.

If we took a look in the past, we would know that Pakistan has faced political calamities. Yet, for peace and democracy, General Bajwa took important initiatives. He led down all rumours against the government dismissal aroused after Panama case. Armed forces are far away from internal politics and determined to the cause of Pakistan, its security and sovereignty.

At present, Pakistanis stand united for the peaceful and prospering Pakistan under the command of its force and government.