ISLAMABAD: Lt-Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and Lt-Gen Zubair Mehmood Hayat have both climbed the ladders for the posts of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) chairman, respectively. Under the current political scenario one year extension in the tenure of Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif is also not out of question.
Lt-Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s background reveals that he is considered a dark horse in the race. He is currently working as Inspector General of Training and Evaluation at GHQ, the post held by Gen Raheel Sharif before he was elevated to the post of Army Chief. He has led the biggest 10 Corps, which has the responsibility of the Line of Control. He has a vast experience in Kashmir and Northern Areas.
It is said he considers terrorism the biggest threat to Pakistan. People close to him say he does not like publicity and works keenly to obtain his objects. He is a professional and kind officer. He belongs to the Baloch Regiment, which has produced three Army Chiefs, including Gen Yahya Khan, Gen Aslam Beg and Gen Ashfaq Kayani. A federal minister, who is a retired Lt-General, and a bureaucrat close to the prime minister also want him to become the next Army Chief.
