Source: TOI
NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s newly appointed army chief Qamar Bajwa was chosen because of the pro-democracy credentials he so ably demonstrated despite being pushed to the limit during a two-month-long sit-in in Islamabad in 2014 by former cricketer Imran Khan and his party, Dunya News and other Pakistani media reported.
Former Pakistan army officials also believe that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif picked Bajwa as the new army chief because he has good pro-democracy attitudes, The News International reported. “Prime Minister definitely wanted an army chief who is supportive of democratic system in the country, who believes in the supremacy of Parliament and who could work for the betterment of the country,” said a ruling party senator PML-N Senator, Lieutenant General (Retired) Abdul Qayyum.
“These were the major points what I believe the prime minister would have taken into consideration before appointing the COAS. I believe General Qamar Bajwa possesses all these elements due to which he has been given the top slot in Pakistan Army,” added Qayyum.
In fact, Dunya News said that PM Sharif decided to make Bajwa army chief as early as two years ago, during the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI) party’s two month-long sit-in Islamabad in 2014. Cricketer-turned politician Imran Khan is the founder and chief of PTI.