Outgoing Bajwa leaves behind a divided Pakistan

Amidst the country’s growing political turmoil and worsening economic situation, Qamar Javed Bajwa is set to retire this week, leaving behind what analysts describe as a divided Pakistan.
“Bajwa is leaving the country deeply divided with Imran Khan stoking up political ire over the army at every given opportunity-rarely has been the most powerful institution in the country riddled with criticism and humiliation since the 1971 war,” Dr Sakariya Kareem said.
Bajwa is leaving a nation and its army divided, a division he is equally responsible for since he took over as the Chief of Army Staff in 2016, the publication added.
While addressing the Defence and Martyrs Day ceremony, Bajwa in his last address, struck a confessional note, saying that armies around the world are seldom criticized “but our army is often subjected to criticism.”
He admitted that much of the public ire against the army was due to its political role. “I think the reason for that is the army’s involvement in politics,” he was quoted as saying by Dawn.
The outgoing chief said the army had initiated its process of “catharsis” and expected that political parties would follow suit as well and reflect on their behaviour.