Rawalpindi, November 29

General Qamar Javed Bajwa, an expert in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir affairs, today took over as Pakistan’s new army chief succeeding Gen Raheel Sharif and promised to improve the tense situation at the Line of Control soon.Gen Sharif handed over the command of world’s sixth-largest army by troop numbers to Bajwa (57) at a ceremony in Rawalpindi.Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday appointed Bajwa as chief of army staff (COAS) by elevating him to the rank of a four-star general.Raheel in January had declared that he would not seek extension. There was speculation that the PML-N government would give him extension at the eleventh hour citing reasons that he was needed by the country to lead the war on terror. The post of the army chief is the most powerful in Pakistan.“The situation at the LoC will improve soon,” Bajwa was quoted as saying by Geo News after taking charge as the COAS.Bajwa sought support from the media to play a role in the keeping the morale of troops high. He said he had a heavy responsibility on his shoulders.Bajwa’s appointment coincides with the rising tensions and heavy exchange of fire at the LoC. Analysts believe Bajwa’s reference to the LoC situation could be a reconciliatory gesture towards India.However, Gen Raheel was not so conciliatory in his final speech as the army chief, as he cautioned India against adopting an aggressive stance in Kashmir.Raheel, 60, said in recent months “India’s increasing terrorism and aggressive stance” in Kashmir have “endangered” the region. “India should know that mistaking our policy of patience for weakness would be dangerous,” he said.“This is a reality that in South Asia, lasting peace and progress is impossible without solution of the Kashmir issue. For that, international community’s special attention is necessary,” he said.He also stressed the need for institutions to work together for the nation’s progress.“It is important that all institutions work together against external threats and internal threats. For this, we will need to follow the National Action Plan in letter and spirit,” Gen Raheel said. — PTI

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But, Raheel warns India

“India’s increasing terrorism and aggressive stance in Kashmir have endangered the region. India should know that mistaking our policy of patience for weakness would be dangerous”— Gen Raheel Sharif, outgoing pak army chief