By Mashal Khan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan new army chief General Asim Munir on Tuesday has assumed charge as the Chief of Army Staff at an impressive change of command ceremony at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.

Outgoing Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa handed over the command stick to General Asim Munir symbolizing the change of command. which aired on state-run media.

General Asim Munir is the 17th Chief of the Army Staff.

In his farewell address, Outgoing Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa felicitated Asim Munir's elevation to the seat of Army Chief, expressing the confidence that his promotion will prove to be highly positive both for the country and Pakistan Army.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa said General Asim Munir is Hafiz-e-Quran, a professional and capable officer and a man of principle.  He was confident that under the leadership of Asim Munir, Pakistan Army will achieve more successes and further serve and defend the country, according to Radio Pakistan.

General Qamar Javed Bajwa said he is honored to have served this great Army. He said during his six year tenure as the Army Chief, Pakistan Army tackled challenges be it the situation on the line of control, terrorism or the natural calamities. 

General Qamar Javed Bajwa said he is proud of Pakistan Army that despite limited resources it is fulfilling the responsibility of defending each nook and corner of the country. 

He said Pakistan today is abode of peace because of our sacrifices which are also acknowledged both by our foe and friends.

The ceremony was attended amongst others by federal cabinet members, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Sahir Shamshad Mirza, Air Chief Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, high ranking civil and military officials and foreign delegates.

Earlier, General Asim Munir and General Qamar Javed Bajwa laid floral wreath at the martyrs' monument.

Before appointment as the Army Chief, Asim Munir was serving as the Quarter Master General at the General Headquarters. He also served as Corps Commander Gujranwala and headed both the ISI and the Military Intelligence.  

General Asim Munir is holder of the Sword of Honour.  He was awarded Hilal-i-Imtiaz in March 2018.

However, the new army chief facing several challenges including the ongoing political and economic instability in the South Asian country that pushed the South Asian nuclear into a difficult situation.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan who was ousted from power in April this year, demanding for immediate elections to bring back the country into political stability while the ruling 13 parties alliance hesitated to move for elections because of their weak political popularity.

Political analysts also believed that only immediate elections could save the country from further disaster. 

The ongoing victimization of opposition politicians and media persons is also a major challenge before the new powerful chief of the army.