News Desk |
Twitter exploded with reaction as Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa retained his post as the head of the armed forces for the next three years. Prime Minister Imran Khan retained General Bajwa for this post for the next three years, extending his retirement period, in the face of Kashmir tensions with India and the deteriorating situation on LOC.
Messages of felicitations outpoured on social media, expressing confidence in the decision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, and the leadership of General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
The decision has been hailed by several commentators and observers on social media, describing it PM Khan’s wise decision to continue with General Bajwa and not to disrupt with any changes.
My piece on #COAS Gen Bajwa who has got 3 years extension, is replugged here.
He is indeed a different kind of military leader:Big Congratulations @OfficialDGISPR @peaceforchange https://t.co/avpZ3pkwZY
— Jan Achakzai / جان اچکزئی (@Jan_Achakzai) August 19, 2019
https://twitter.com/AMShahidLatif/status/1163419921470152705?s=20
Gen Bajwa will remain Army Chief for another term. This man is pro democracy and did a great job in February standoff with India. At this crucial time when Kashmir is a burning issue the extension of an experienced General should be welcomed. pic.twitter.com/yp88H704Dt
— Anwar Lodhi (@AnwarLodhi) August 19, 2019
Army Chief General Bajwa's three-year extension also means that domestically the PTI government isn't going anywhere – and as it has been said before, the measures being taken by the present government will be seen through – also a clear message to India and Afghanistan
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) August 19, 2019
Shahid Latif, Retd Air Marshal, who frequently appears on television as a panelist in various news programmes asserted that the decision is of immense significance for the country in the face of a potential war threat with India.
Read more: Army Chief General Bajwa given extension for 3 more years
“Prime Minister Imran Khan extended the service tenure of Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa for another 3 years. The decision has great significance if seen in the light of regional, recent and future developments. As Army Chief, he has many feathers in his cap. Congratulations,” wrote Shahid Latif.
The senior leadership of Pakistan Tehreek-I-Insaf also expressed confidence in PM Khan’s decision. Including PM Khan’s special advisor Naeem-ul-Haq, Minister for Water Faisal Vawda, Sahibzad Jehangir and others appreciated PM Khan for taking a timely decision for the protection and safety of Pakistan.
I welcome the extension of General Bajwa for another term. His leadership, integrity and patriotism is critical at this crucial juncture when Pakistan is facing a grave crisis in Kashmir. The whole nation can feel comfortable that leadership of our armed forces is in good hands.
— Naeem ul Haque (@naeemul_haque) August 19, 2019
https://twitter.com/ChicoJahangir/status/1163424461703516161?s=20
“Don’t change horses in midstream”
Good decision by the PM. General Bajwa was needed at this crucial point in time for Pakistan— Faisal Vawda (@FaisalVawdaPTI) August 19, 2019
Besides Pakistanis, the news was equally interesting for fellow Indians, who are keeping a close eye, on the civil-military relationship in Pakistan, including a critical tweet from India’s NSA Ajit Doval.
https://twitter.com/AjitKDoval_NSA/status/1163435176833298435?s=20
Interesting !!the orders of an extension in the tenure of Pakistani Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa for another three years were written by #GHQ, signed by Pak PM @ImranKhanPTI and announced by Pak FM @SMQureshiPTI . 😎 pic.twitter.com/apdh26a0H5
— Ravinder Singh Robin ਰਵਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ رویندرسنگھ روبن (@rsrobin1) August 19, 2019
JUST IN: Pakistan Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa gets three years extension. (Or gives himself three years extension. That’s how it works in Pakistan.)
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 19, 2019
It should be read as "Pakistan Army chief gives himself an extension of three years"
— Snehesh Alex Philip (@sneheshphilip) August 19, 2019
Scores of people in Pakistan commented that the country needs a dynamic, and calm leader to lead the armed forces amid strenuous security and political challenges, especially at a time when the sovereignty of the state is at stake.
https://twitter.com/humans0fPak/status/1163423742015528961?s=20
Continuity in strategic policies of Pakistan for the next 3 years will be ensured with the leadership of #COAS Gen Bajwa. My beeper pic.twitter.com/YCDxYw2gD7
— Jan Achakzai / جان اچکزئی (@Jan_Achakzai) August 19, 2019
Kamran Khan discloses General Bajwa to get Extension as Army Chief https://t.co/9IlNq5EEYd via @YouTube. While disclosing this a month ago I was convinced and am still convinced Imran Khan-Bajwa team has tremendous potential to pull Pakistan out of economic strategic quaqmire
— Kamran Khan (@AajKamranKhan) August 19, 2019
However, dissension came from a few political commentators who believe extending COAS’s tenure is tantamount to feeding discouragement in the armed forces. They slammed PM Khan for taking a decision against the laws and reverting on his words for not granting an extension to any COAS.
The extension given by a selected Prime Minister Imran Khan to the Army Chief is really condemnable and it will be bad for #Pakistan' future. PM Imran had rightly said in the past that extension given to an army chief completely destroys institution of army and its discipline.
— Ahmad Noorani (@Ahmad_Noorani) August 19, 2019
I think Bajwa's unflinching support to the blundering govt has paid off. Will Bajwa be more confident now and loosen the iron grip on media or free speech destined for a long exile?
— Abbas Nasir (@abbasnasir59) August 19, 2019
"The more things change, the more they stay the same."
– Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr#COAS #qamarjavedbajwa #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/qQo4X6mrQR
— Wajahat S. Khan (@WajSKhan) August 19, 2019
Last there words of third line about three years extension are very important that Prime Minister of Pakistan gave a three year extension to Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa in view of “regional security environment” pic.twitter.com/hss7rVkJMD
— Hamid Mir حامد میر (@HamidMirPAK) August 19, 2019
No one is surprised that #Pakistan’s Prime Minuster Imran Khan has ‘granted’ army chief General Qamar Bajwa a three-year extension in term. No greater proof that the democratic transition of the last decade is being irreversibly reversed. pic.twitter.com/rTRc0c9kK1
— Mehreen Zahra-Malik (@mehreenzahra) August 19, 2019