Pakistan Army’s decision to remain apolitical will shield it from ‘vagaries of politics’, says Gen Bajwa
The Hindu
Gen Bajwa opined that public support and affinity towards the Pakistan armed forces tended to erode when the military was seen to be involved in political affairs
A day ahead of his retirement, Pakistan's Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that his decision to keep the military establishment "apolitical" will shield it "from the vagaries of politics" in the coup-prone country.
Gen Bajwa, 61, will retire on November 29 after a three-year extension.
Pakistan has appointed Lt Gen Asim Munir, a former as the new Army chief to succeed incumbent Gen Bajwa.
He emphasised that the Pakistan Army has restricted its role "to its constitutional mandated task only by deciding to make it apolitical."
"This decision, though being viewed negatively by a segment of society and led to personal criticism, will facilitate in reinvigorating and strengthening democratic culture, assisting in supporting state organs to effectively perform and deliver. Above all, this decision will help enhance the army's prestige in the long term,” Gen Bajwa said in an interview with the UAE-based newspaper Gulf News.
On Wednesday, in his final public address as Pakistan's Army chief, Gen Bajwa said the military establishment's “unconstitutional” interference in politics over the past 70 years was the reason why it drew criticism from the general masses and politicians.
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