US welcomes appointment of Pakistan's new army chief

ISLAMABAD – United States on Sunday welcomed the appointment of Qamar Javed Bajwa as new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Zubair Hayat as new Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).

The US embassy in Islamabad in a statement welcomed 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 counter terrorism goals for Pakistan and the region,” American Ambassador David Hale said in a statement issued by US Embassy in Islamabad.

Hale also congratulated outgoing COAS General Raheel Sharif 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 combating terrorism in Pakistan and across the region, and his support for Pakistani civilian governance and institutions,” the US ambassador said.

“He (General Raheel) has demonstrated an impressive commitment to the peace, security and well-being of the Pakistani people,” he added.

Hales also recognized the dedicated service of outgoing CJCSC General Rashad Mahmood and congratulated the new CJCSC Zubair Hayat.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday appointed General Qamar Javed Bajwa as the 16^th Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan armed forces and General Zubair Mahmood Hayat replaced Gen Rashad Mahmood as the new Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee.