The general who mediated power and orchestrated its removal
In short: Qamar Javed Bajwa served as Pakistan's chief of army staff during a period of intense political volatility. While he was publicly framed as a balanced proponent of democracy, his tenure was defined by the removal of two successive prime ministers and allegations of massive wealth accumulation.
Appointed in 2016 as the fourth oldest chief of army staff, Bajwa was selected by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif despite not being the most senior general. While some attributed the choice to his low-key style and pro-democracy stance, others suggested it was a strategic move by Sharif to navigate a 'soured' relationship with the military establishment. Shortly after taking office, Bajwa initiated a significant military reshuffle, installing close confidants in key intelligence and operations roles to consolidate his influence over both political and non-political domains.
Bajwa's tenure was marked by significant executive shifts. He was accused of assisting in the removal of Nawaz Sharif and later orchestrated the ouster of Imran Khan in 2022. During the latter's time in power, the two were initially close; Khan even planned to offer Bajwa a term extension. However, by 2024, Khan described trusting Bajwa as his only regret, accusing the general of creating false narratives to secure a second term. Critics also point to the 2018 general elections as a turning point, where the army under Bajwa was accused of engineering a victory for Imran Khan's party.
The personal and financial scrutiny surrounding Bajwa intensified toward the end of his service. A November 2022 leak of tax details suggested his family amassed over Rs. 12.7 billion (approximately US$230 million in 2021) between 2016 and 2022. These revelations, combined with allegations of corruption and heavy-handed military interference in the political apparatus, have left a complex legacy of a commander who navigated the delicate balance between state security and the levers of national power.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Qamar Javed Bajwa
- Also: Wikidata — Qamar Javed Bajwa · CC0
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