The military on Thursday put to rest all speculation on COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa being offered an extension by confirming the top army boss had commenced farewell visits.
"General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) visited Sialkot and Mangla garrisons as part of his farewell visits to various formations," The Express Tribune quoted an ISPR statement as reading. Despite the DG ISPR having confirmed the same earlier, speculations to the contrary had been gaining traction. There was also talk of the incumbent army chief being presented a fleeting extension while a vice chief of army staff being named.
The latest ISPR statement, Kamran Yousaf wrote in his report, made it "abundantly clear" that COAS Bajwa will retire come November 29. All eyes, he said, were on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pertaining his selection for the top military slot.
Journalist Nadia Naqi had earlier said on Wednesday that a confidante of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had told her that no extension will be given to COAS Bajwa. Naqi said the individual had told her a new army chief will be appointed in accordance with procedure.
"General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) visited Sialkot and Mangla garrisons as part of his farewell visits to various formations," The Express Tribune quoted an ISPR statement as reading. Despite the DG ISPR having confirmed the same earlier, speculations to the contrary had been gaining traction. There was also talk of the incumbent army chief being presented a fleeting extension while a vice chief of army staff being named.
The latest ISPR statement, Kamran Yousaf wrote in his report, made it "abundantly clear" that COAS Bajwa will retire come November 29. All eyes, he said, were on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pertaining his selection for the top military slot.
Journalist Nadia Naqi had earlier said on Wednesday that a confidante of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had told her that no extension will be given to COAS Bajwa. Naqi said the individual had told her a new army chief will be appointed in accordance with procedure.