ISLAMABAD: General Asim Munir assumed charge as the Chief of Army Staff at an impressive change of command ceremony at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

Outgoing Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa handed over the command stick to General Asim Munir symbolizing the change of command. General Asim Munir is the 17th Chief of the Army Staff. In his farewell address, outgoing Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa felicitated Asim Munir’s elevation to the seat of Army Chief, expressing the confidence that his promotion will prove to be highly positive both for the country and Pakistan Army.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa said General Asim Munir is Hafiz-e-Quran, a professional and capable officer and a man of principles. He was confident that under the leadership of Asim Munir, Pakistan Army will achieve more successes and further serve and defend the country. General Qamar Javed Bajwa said he is honored to have served this great Army. He said during his six year tenure as the Army Chief, Pakistan Army tackled challenges be it the situation on the line of control, terrorism or the natural calamities.

He said he is proud of Pakistan Army that despite limited resources it is fulfilling the responsibility of defending each nook and corner of the country. He said Pakistan today is abode of peace because of our sacrifices which are also acknowledged both by our foe and friends.

The ceremony was attended amongst others by federal cabinet members, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Air Chief Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, high ranking civil and military officials and foreign delegates. Earlier, General Asim Munir and General Qamar Javed Bajwa laid floral wreath at the martyrs’ monument.