ISLAMABAD - Designated army chief Gen Syed Asim Munir would formally take command of the Pakistan Army at an impressive change of command ceremony to be held at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi today. The outgoing Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa will hand over the command stick to the newly appointed Army Chief Gen Munir. All the arrangements for the ceremony have been completed which would begin at 11am today and would be broadcast live. Members of the cabinet including defence minister have also been invited to witness the ceremony. Gen Asim Munir will be the 17th army chief to assume the command of the Pakistan Army. The Ministry of Defence would notify him as the new army chief the same day. However, the notification of outgoing army chief Gen Bajwa has already been issued. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday lauded the services of the Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa for the country, particularly in areas of defence, security and geo-economics. The prime minister expressed these views as the outgoing COAS, who is scheduled to retired on Tuesday, paid a farewell call on him here at the PM’s House. Prime Minister Sharif acknowledged the role of army in eliminating the menace of terrorism from the soil of the country. “Under the leadership of General Qamar Javed Bajwa, the army demonstrated exemplary services in effectively dealing with various challenges including the country’s exclusion from the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) Grey List, COVID-19 pandemic and the recent flash floods,” he said, according to the PM’s Office. Shehbaz Sharif said General Bajwa steered the country through difficult times pertaining to security situation. Appreciating the role of General Bajwa with regard to the country’s geo-economics, the prime minister stressed that the political leadership needed to demonstrate collective wisdom and sign a charter of economy to ensure economic stability. “You have the honour of leading the best army of the world,” the prime minister said in his conversation with the outgoing COAS, who will be handing over the baton of command to General Asim Munir today as the country’s next army chief. General Qamar Javed Bajwa thanked PM Sharif on his government’s cooperation in carrying out the national and official responsibilities. PM Shehbaz Sharif hosted a luncheon in honour of General Qamar Javed Bajwa. Meanwhile, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa paid a farewell call on President Dr Arif Alvi in Islamabad on Monday. The president commended General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s services in the field of defence. He appreciated the outgoing Army Chief’s services for the country and the Pakistan Army. The president expressed best wishes for General Qamar Javed Bajwa in his future endeavors.