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Pakistan's new army chief assumes charge

Xinhua, November 29, 2016 Adjust font size:

Pakistan's new army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa assumed the office at a ceremony held in the country's garrison city of Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

The outgoing Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif formally handed over the command stick to General Bajwa at the ceremony, which was attended by a large number of civil and military leaders as well as politicians and diplomats.

Guard of Honor was given to the new army chief General Bajwa at the ceremony. The military band also presented tunes of folk and national songs for the audience.

General Bajwa was appointed by the Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as the country's 16th army chief on Nov. 26.

Addressing the change of command ceremony, the outgoing General Raheel Sharif said that he was proud to lead one of the world's best armies and made gains during his tenure.

"Pakistan has changed its history by fighting a successful war against terrorism, "he said.

However, he said the the country is still facing challenges and the army will remain alert to threats, whether external or internal.

He warned that it would be dangerous to construe Pakistan's policy of restraint as its weakness.

He said it is need of the hour for the nation and the institutions to work in harmony towards external threats. "For this purpose, internal weaknesses including criminality, extremism and corruption will have to be eradicated, " he stressed.

"There can't be durable peace and progress in South Asia without resolution of the Kashmir dispute," he added.

Referring to Pakistan's sincere desire to see durable peace in neighbouring Afghanistan, the outgoing army chief called for role of regional countries and political reconciliation for the resolution of the issue. Endit