Pakistan Gets New Army Chief, Lt Gen Asim Munir to Succeed Gen Bajwa

Islamabad: Lt Gen Asim Munir was selected by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday to succeed General Qamar Javed Bajwa as head of the Pakistan Armed Forces.

61-year-old Bajwa is due for retirement on November 29 following a three-year extension.

Lt Gen Munir, Pakistan’s new would-be-COAS (Chief of Army Staff), hails from the Frontier Force Regiment and has commanded the Inter-Services Intelligence, which focuses on security and military intelligence.

In the frequently turbulent northern regions that border Afghanistan, China, and India, he has operated under Bajwa’s direct command.

Lt Gen Munir was earlier appointed as the ISI chief only to be replaced within eight months by the then PM Imran Khan with an officer regarded as close to him.

The 27th of November was Lt Gen Munir’s retirement date. But now that he has been appointed the army chief, he will remain in office for an additional three years.