Few army chiefs in Pakistan’s history left a mark as deep as Qamar Bajwa. His six years in power changed the country’s politics, foreign policy, and civil-military relations forever.
Who is Qamar Bajwa?
Qamar Javed Bajwa was born on November 11, 1960, in Karachi. He came from a Punjabi Jat family of the Bajwa clan. His father, Muhammad Iqbal Bajwa, was an army officer who passed away in 1967 while in service.
He studied at F.G. Sir Syed College and Gordon College in Rawalpindi. He joined the Pakistan Military Academy in 1978 and was commissioned in 1980 into the 16th Battalion of the Baloch Regiment.
Qamar Bajwa also studied at the Canadian Army Command and Staff College and the Naval Postgraduate School in the USA. He was not just a soldier , he was a scholar-soldier.
How he became army chief
Nawaz Sharif appointed Qamar Bajwa as Army Chief on November 29, 2016. He was chosen despite being lower on the seniority list. Sharif was facing the Panama case at that time and needed a trusted figure in this critical position.
He replaced General Raheel Sharif. The entire country watched closely from day one.
The Bajwa doctrine
Qamar Bajwa introduced what became known as the Bajwa Doctrine. It meant the military would stay actively involved in Pakistan’s politics, economy, and foreign affairs.
He wanted stability. He wanted economic growth. And he wanted Pakistan to improve its image abroad. But his methods created deep controversy at home.
Two prime ministers fell
This is the most important part of his legacy.
Both Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan accuse Qamar Bajwa of removing their governments. Two rival prime ministers. Same general. Same complaint.
Nawaz Sharif was ousted via the Supreme Court in 2017. There was little doubt the security establishment backed up this move.
Then Bajwa’s camp helped bring Imran Khan to power through the 2018 elections. Years later, that relationship completely broke down. Khan was removed from power in 2022. He publicly called it a betrayal.
His role in foreign policy
Qamar Bajwa played a major role in Pakistan’s foreign relations.
He assured China that CPEC, the 60-billion-dollar infrastructure project, would remain safe. And he helped Pakistan secure an IMF loan. He also played a key role in getting Pakistan removed from the FATF watchlist.
Bajwa also called for better ties with India and said it was time to bury the past. Many in Pakistan saw this as bold. Others saw it as controversial.
Counter-terrorism operations
Under his command, Pakistan launched major operations against terrorism. Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad started in February 2017. Operation Khyber-4 followed in July 2017.
Early results were good. But by 2021, terrorism started rising again. In 2022, terrorist attacks increased by 60 percent compared to the previous year. This raised serious questions about his long-term security strategy.
Forbes recognition
In 2018, Forbes ranked Qamar Bajwa 68th on its list of the World’s Most Powerful People. Forbes called him the de facto most powerful person in Pakistan and praised him as a proponent of democracy.
The world recognized what many Pakistanis already knew. The army chief holds real power in Pakistan.
The Assets controversy
Near the end of his tenure, journalist Ahmad Noorani published leaked documents on his blog Fact Focus. The documents alleged that Bajwa’s family assets grew by nearly Rs. 13 billion during his six years as army chief.
The Pakistani government confirmed the leak was real. But no formal action was ever taken. This remains one of the biggest controversies of his time in the office.
Extension and retirement
Imran Khan granted Qamar Bajwa a controversial three-year extension in 2019. Critics said it set a bad precedent.
He finally retired on November 29, 2022. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appointed General Asim Munir as his successor. Pakistan’s security forces continue to fight terrorism across the country. Read how Security Forces Foiled Infiltration Attempt in Zhob Sector and killed 12 Khawarij in a major operation.
Life after retirement
After retirement, Bajwa moved to Dubai with his family. His son Saad works as a barrister. His other son Ali works at McKinsey and Company in Dubai.
In February 2026, he suffered a fall at his Rawalpindi home and was hospitalized with head injuries. Fake news about his death spread on social media. Pakistani media and ISPR confirmed he was alive.
Why he still matters
Even after retirement, Qamar Bajwa remains central to Pakistan’s political discussions. Every debate about civil-military relations brings his name back.
He shaped two elections. And he also influenced the removal of two prime ministers. He managed Pakistan’s foreign policy during some of its most difficult years.
His six-year tenure is a mirror of everything powerful and controversial about Pakistan’s military establishment. History will judge him. But Pakistanis are still living with the consequences of his decisions.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. Who is Qamar Bajwa?
He is a retired Pakistani four-star general who served as Army Chief from 2016 to 2022.
Q2. Why is Qamar Bajwa controversial?
Both Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan blame him for removing their governments from power.
Q3. What is the Bajwa Doctrine?
It is his policy of keeping the military involved in Pakistan’s politics, economy, and foreign affairs.
Q4. Did Qamar Bajwa get an extension?
Yes, Imran Khan gave him a three-year extension as Army Chief in 2019.
Q5. Where is Qamar Bajwa now?
He lives in Dubai after retirement and was hospitalized in February 2026 after a fall at home.
