Says army has decided to stay away from politics; rubbishes any conspiracy in PTI govt removal; urges unity for country’s sake

RAWALPINDI, NOV 23 /DNA/ – Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa Wednesday paid tribute to the martyrs of the armed forces and assured their families that the Pakistan Army will never leave the bereaved alone.

At the start of his last address as the army chief during the Defence and Martyrs’ day ceremony at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, General Bajwa apologised for the delay in the Defence and Martyrs’ day ceremony due to the floods.

“Firstly, I would like to pay tribute to the martyrs who are the pride of Pakistan while acknowledging the patience of their bereaved families,” he said, reassuring that the army will continue to fulfill their financial needs.

“I feel proud to have served as the commander of this great army for six years,” General Bajwa said adding that the peace in cities and villages is accredited to the sacrifices of its martyrs.

Touching upon history during his address, the outgoing army chief said that he wanted to “correct” some facts regarding the events of 1971.

“1971 was not a military, but a political failure. Our army fought courageously in East Pakistan,” the COAS highlighted.

General Bajwa, during his address, said that the basic job of the armed forces is to protect the geographical boundaries.

Defence and Martyrs’ Day ceremony

The ceremony was postponed in September due to the catastrophic floods across Pakistan following heavy monsoon rains.

At the outset of the ceremony, a video highlighting the devastations caused by floods in Pakistan was played. The military soldiers, who contributed toward relief, rescue and rehabilitation efforts during the flooding, were paid tribute through the video.

A documentary titled Falah-o-Behbood was also played during the ceremony which was attended by serving and retired military officials at the GHQ. The documentary shed light on the military’s efforts for the welfare of its soldiers and their families.

This will be General Bajwa’s last Defence and Martyrs’ day ceremony as Pakistan’s COAS and comes just six days before he is set to retire from the post of Pakistan’s army chief on November 29.

He was appointed army chief in 2016 for a three-year tenure, which was extended by three years in after parliament legislated on the tenures of services chiefs on the orders of the Supreme Court.