In an attempt to secure a second extension to his term in November 2022, former Chief of Army Staff General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa allegedly threatened to declare martial law, according to Defense Minister Khawaja Asif.
Asif's comments were a reaction to the recent denial by Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmed Khan that Bajwa had ever requested such an extension.
Bajwa's close friend Khan, who is also a member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), had said that Bajwa had denied wanting an extension in a meeting at the US embassy. He made the suggestion that Asif might have misinterpreted or overlooked some facts.
Asif stood by his story in a local television appearance, insisting he remembered everything completely. "General Bajwa made it clear he would impose martial law if necessary," he said, describing Bajwa's threat to impose martial law as a serious concern.
Asif claimed that the reason for the disparity between Khan's and his narrative was that they were speaking to distinct settings. He pointed out that Bajwa had made a contentious allegation that he had requested an extension of six months to a year in order to resolve a deadlock.
Khan reiterated on that same episode that Bajwa had made it clear he would not be seeking an extension when he visited the US. "I am an old soldier and an old soldier fades away," he cited Bajwa as saying. He further emphasized that Bajwa had always insisted he was not looking for an extension.
Khan added that Bajwa had approved the nomination of General Asim Munir and General Sahir Shamshad Mirza to important military posts.
Asif reaffirmed in a different interview on a regional television network that Bajwa had a major impact on Imran Khan, the leader of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, and had been instrumental in elevating him to prominence.
He further claimed that Bajwa was linked to General (retd) Faiz Hameed, who was said to be a preferred successor.
0 Comments