Tazeen Akhtar / 09 Oct 2022 / 2-15 AM / Rawalpindi
Speculations on the next Army Chief of Pakistan were buzzing the twin cities with no solid information when another controversy surfaced in the ocean of rumors and assumptions about what is going to happen in a current highly crucial time of Pakistan’s political history. Matter of fact is, nothing can be predicted about the Change of Command in the Pakistan Army unless Gen Bajwah hands over the Stick to the “New Comer” but his USA visit is being attached with the appointment of the New Chief. Political circles are discussing “The visit is to introduce the New Chief to USA authorities.?” They are not convinced by the official version that, ” It is already scheduled visit that was postponed two times for certain reasons.”
Five major questions are being debated in the political and press circles;
1- A big question is Why a Chief is on a USA visit only a few weeks before he is going to retire?
2- Another question is Who among the higher ranks of the military are accompanying their Chief to USA? (in a sense that if any three star general is among them, and he is in the top 5 lt generals, he can be favorite)
3- The third question is Why ISPR is silent on their Chief’s visit to a country highly sensitive and central in the defense/strategic affairs of Pakistan? The last press release posted on ISPR.GOV.PK is about the chief’s meeting with UN Military Advisor held on 02 Oct 2022.
4- The fourth question is why the Pakistani embassy did not share the itinerary of Gen Bajwah in Washington with Pakistani media representatives.
5- If it is about Pakistan and USA relations’ improvement and rebuilding, the new Chief should have discussed it and why General Bajwah who has no time to implement the new agreements.
Later, the Pakistani Embassy hosted a lunch in honor of Gen Bajwah where he stated for the press, “I shall retire on completion of extension (29th Nov 2022). Armed forces have distanced themselves from politics and will continue to do so.”
The above-mentioned circles are not convinced by the second sentence as well. The reason for that is obvious and the current state of affairs in the state is enough for that. The former Prime Minister, Imran Khan leaves no stone unturned to fill his followers with his own finding that the military only can bring him back to PM House.
The lunch at the embassy was the only interaction by the Chief in which he stated two sentences only on record. No further details have been shared with anyone on any forum so far. When you do not share what you are up to, speculations and rumors find vent and the same is happening in Pakistan now. It will continue until anyone, ISPR or the Chief himself comes out with details.
Pakistanis have learned by heart, the statement of late General Hamid Gull, ” Chiefs in Pakistan are appointed after the USA gives approval.”
Here it is also worth mentioning that Hamid Gull shared in his various interviews that the USA did not allow my name to be the chief of army staff.
The Chief’s delegation included Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum the Director General Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI),Lt Gen Azhar Abbas the Chief of General Staff, and Major General Avais Dastgir the Director General of military operations.
Apparently, the tour was due for the last 8 months and it was agreed upon at the invitation of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin but it was again and again postponed due to internal and external circumstances including Russia Ukraine War and the Change of Government in Pakistan. Still, the question is the same. The same could have been shared with Pakistani media. Certainly keeping silent on Chief’s USA visit is not an ordinary matter here and there. The Ambassador of Pakistan to the USA did not share the itinerary (detail of activities) of the Chief with the Pakistani press in Washington.
Gen Bajwah visited the Pentagon and Langley, the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). He had meetings with Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, National Intelligence Director Avril D. Haines, and CIA Director William J. Burns.
Some sources shared with the anxious Pakistani press an already scheduled visit to improve bilateral relations in defense and related spheres but the press does not seem to be content with the shared information only. Here is the reference of the website of ISPR where one can find only an update till 02 Oct 2022, the first day of the visit only, and nothing more.
The very first appearance of COAS Bajwah, on record, after he returned from the USA, was at the passing out parade at Pakistan Military Academy Kakul on Saturday 08 Oct 2022. Here he advised the cadets to always remain focused on their job and never get distracted by fake news and political wrangling in the country. He expressed his commitment to democracy by advising the cadets to respect democratic institutions. That is quite satisfactory as long as the current phase of Pakistani politics is concerned. But here too, he did not share anything on the outcome of the USA visit.
General Bajwah in his first address after the USA visit stated about peace in South Asia and dignified solution to bilateral issues. Certainly, it is about India. It means relations with India also came under discussion in Washington.
Pakistan remained neutral in Russia-Ukraine War after the government of former PM Imran was ousted in April 2022. The USA and Europe have been emphasizing Pakistan to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto in Germany reiterated the same position on 08 Oct in Bonn. India has been a natural ally of Russia. Ukraine is a big partner of the Pakistan Army in military equipment. Therefore, Pakistani policy on Russia-Ukraine War will be under observation in the coming days.
Army Chief, near his retirement, starts visits to the core headquarters to examine the preparedness of the troops. That is the prominent signal of his retirement. General Bajwah has not started these tours so far.
It is fine that sensitive security matters can not be disclosed at the public forums but still the people of Pakistan are expecting something at least, in the coming days.
Tazeen Akhtar / 09 Oct 2022 / 2-15 AM / Rawalpindi
https://ispr.gov.pk/press-release-archive.php?cat=army
