Amid Kashmir tension, Pakistan army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa gets 3-year extension

Islamabad, Aug 19: Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa was on Monday given an extension in term for three year, amid escalating tensions with India after New Delhi ended Jammu and Kashmir's special status.

"General Qamar Javed Bajwa is appointed Chief of Army Staff for another term of three years from the date of completion of current tenure. The decision has been taken in view of regional security environment," local media quoted the notification issued by Prime Minister Imran Khan's office.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa was first appointed to the post in 2016 by former PM Nawaz Sharif, he was widely perceived to be a dark horse in the race. But Gen Bajwa's extensive experience of affairs in Kashmir was said to have gone in favour of the career infantry officer from the Baloch Regiment.

Commenting on the extension given to the Army chief, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that it was essential due to the regional situation.

Having served as corps commander of Rawalpindi, Gen Bajwa has vast experience of dealing with issues related to Kashmir and the Line of Control, The Express Tribune reported.

In a country prone to frequent military coups, the army generals who, enforced many years of martial law in Pakistan since independence in 1947, have held power for nearly as long as the civilians.

He has also strengthened the military's grip over the government, including the judiciary and areas of security policy.

Bajwa has been issuing provocative statements, needling India on the Kashmir issue.

In one of his statements, he said the reality of Kashmir was neither changed by an "illegal piece of paper" in 1947 nor by any action "now or in future."

"There can never be a compromise on Kashmir," Gen Bajwa said in his Independence Day message to the nation on August 14.

"Reality of Kashmir was neither changed by an illegal piece of paper in 1947 nor will any other do it now or in future," he said, apparently referring to Jammu and Kashmir's accession to India and rejecting India's recent revocation of the special status for Jammu and Kashmir.

Gen Bajwa is the second army chief to get full term extension in recent times. Earlier, Gen Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani was given a full term in 2010.

Earlier, there were reports that Prime Minister Khan may give another term to Bajwa as both were working closely.

Bajwa accompanied Khan on his maiden US visit during which he met US President Donald Trump at the White House.

Khan had also nominated Bajwa as a member of the National Development Council, in an unprecedented move.

In Pakistan, the appointment of the Army chief is the prerogative of the Prime Minister and his government.

When Bajwa was appointed army chief by Sharif, he had superseded three other generals. He took over command from former Army chief General Raheel Sharif.

Bajwa's extension comes amidst worsening ties between India and Pakistan following India's decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's special status under Article 370.

Reacting to India's decision, Pakistan expelled the Indian High Commissioner, after deciding to downgrade diplomatic ties with New Delhi.

Pakistan also suspended its trade relations with India in retaliation against New Delhi's decision.

India has categorically told the international community that its move to scrap Article 370 of the Constitution revoking the special status to Jammu and Kashmir was an internal matter and has also advised Pakistan to accept the reality.