New army chief inherits success and challenges

By: Maemuna Sadaf

New COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa has been selected; he has taken charge of
COAS on 29th November, 2016.

General Bajwa has inherited many successes and challenges from his predecessor
General Raheel Shareef who has earned a repute of almost super human status.
Success in operation Zarb e Asab , law and order situation stability in Karachi,
inauguration of Gawadar port and Departure of first economic trade convey to
China, the stance on Kashmir and bold decisions , common People of Pakistan loved
former chief. They are waiting and expecting New COAS to behave and take
decisions like General Raheel .

In the start of his career as the new COAS General Qamar has to face a comparison
in all his decisions and actions with former COAS. He will live under the shadow of
his senior. He has to face media who constantly and most of the time irritant, will
manipulate and try to compare him with General Raheel. Present political
situation of the country is also moving towards clashes and General Bajwa will be
pointed out for what he is doing. This is the most critical time for the person who is
captivating responsibility of COAS

At this time all the fronts are open, Indian army on boarders, in Balochistan so
called freedom movement is continued, in Karachi law and order situation is quite
satisfactory but needs more attention. The war on terror is continued and the
problem of IDPs who are affectees of operation Zarbe Asab is still to be resolved.

Equally increased tension on LOC and border COAS has to face internal burning
issues as well. He has to look at the people and groups involved in increased attacks
on targets at Balochistan. The unresolved issue of the Jihadi groups like Lashkare
Jahangvi, Lashkare Taiba , and Jaish eMohammad which are real threat, after killing
of Malik Ishaq and other effective intelligence based operations by the Counter
terrorism Department of Punjab Police is another challenge for New COAS. Last, but
not the least COAS will need to task his intelligence chiefs with inquiring into the
motives of the head of a faction of Jamat e Ahle hadith, Sajid Mir, who made a crude
attempt via social media.

To maintain Law and order situation of the whole country and continuation of CPEC,
COAS has to be preemptive.

Beside all these internal challenges New COAS has to face insurgencies as well as
LOC violations from an all-time enemy India. Under the government of Prime
Minister Nirendra Modi India attempts to test Pakistans patience by constantly
provoking, prodding and poking it with artillery fire, drawing blood including that of
civilians on Line of control. A well thought-out planned, gamed attempt to
deteriorate Pakistans image by India is continued on all fronts internationally. They
have started giving statements of tearing Pakistan into pieces. COAS have to be
very much proactive and defensive towards India. Relations with other nations on
military basis are also important especially with Afghanistan and resolution of
Afghan Refugees issue is also to be settled. The decisions of COAS Pakistan on
stance regarding Kashmir are also important.

New COAS has not a single day to waste on. He will need to step up quickly to
consolidate the gains of General Raheel .

General Qamar Javaid bajwa a true solider and a patriotic person after holding the
chair of Chief of Army Staff, well aware of challenges is capable of fulfilling all his
responsibilities. Common people of Pakistan always support their army and they are
standing beside COAS .