Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa

 Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa

Pakistan Army General (Retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa (11 November 1960 – 30 March 2026) was a four-star general in the Pakistan Army and served as the 10th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) from 29 November 2016 to 29 November 2022.

Recent Health Update and Passing (as of 31 March 2026)

In early February 2026, General Bajwa suffered a fall at his residence in Rawalpindi. Reports indicate he slipped in the bathroom, possibly after fainting due to a cardiac issue (third-degree AV heart block). He sustained severe head injuries, leading to brain haemorrhage complications. He was admitted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Rawalpindi, underwent surgery, and remained in the ICU for over a month.

On or around 28–30 March 2026, multiple social media posts and some media reports claimed he had passed away at the age of 65 in the Rawalpindi military hospital. However, these reports remain unverified and conflicting:

Some sources (including Wikipedia and several news outlets) list his date of death as 30 March 2026.

Others describe the death claims as misinformation or fake news originating from unverified social media accounts (including one from Kabul, Afghanistan).

No official confirmation from the family or ISPR (Inter-Services Public Relations) has been widely reported as of the latest updates. Some fact-checks state he was still alive and recovering as of late March.

The situation has caused significant confusion online, with viral posts spreading rapidly. Official statements are awaited for clarity.

Brief Biography

Birth: 11 November 1960 in Karachi, Pakistan. He belonged to a Punjabi Jat family of the Bajwa clan, originally from Gakhar Mandi, Gujranwala.

Education: Studied at F.G. Sir Syed College and Gordon College in Rawalpindi. He later attended the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul.

Military Career:

Commissioned in 1980 into the 16th Battalion of the Baloch Regiment.

Served in various key positions, including as a brigade commander, instructor at military institutions, and in UN peacekeeping missions (e.g., in Congo – MONUSCO).

Commanded the elite X Corps (Rawalpindi) from 2013 to 2015, responsible for operations along the Line of Control in Kashmir.

Served as Inspector General of Training and Evaluation at GHQ before his appointment as COAS.

As COAS (2016–2022): Appointed by then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. He received a three-year extension in 2019 under Prime Minister Imran Khan. His tenure focused on internal security operations, counter-terrorism, and a shift toward "geo-economics." He emphasized that the military should stay within its constitutional role. He retired on 29 November 2022 and was succeeded by General Syed Asim Munir.

General Bajwa was known for his professional approach and maintaining a relatively low public profile compared to some predecessors. His tenure saw both praise for stability efforts and criticism regarding the military's influence in politics.

Condolences (if the reports of his passing are confirmed): May Allah grant him mercy, forgive his sins, and give strength to his family. Ameen.