Statement: PAKISTAN: New Chief of Army Staff Named

We welcome Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s appointment of Lieutenant General Qamar Javed Bajwa as the new Chief of Army Staff.  We look forward to continuing our work with Pakistan’s elected leaders, with Lieutenant General Qamar Javed Bajwa, and with the Pakistani military to advance our shared counterinsurgency and counterterrorism goals for Pakistan and the region, and to enable Pakistani authorities to honor their pledge to prevent the use of Pakistan’s soil for terrorist attacks against its neighbors.

Our congratulations to Pakistani Chief of Army Staff General Raheel and his family upon the conclusion of his three-year appointment.  General Raheel has been a respected partner throughout his tenure as Army Chief.  We appreciate his leadership in combatting terrorism in Pakistan and across the region, and his support for Pakistani civilian governance and institutions.  He has demonstrated an impressive commitment to the peace, security, and well-being of the Pakistani people.

We congratulate the new Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff Committee Lt Gen Zubair Hayat and recognize the dedicated service of General Rashad Mahmood.

– American Ambassador David Hale

November 27, 2016

Contact: U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section 051-201-5427, 051-201-4423

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