Ramping up his attack against General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who recently stepped down as Pakistan’s army chief, former prime minister Imran Khan said he regrets extending the tenure of the military chief in 2019.

Terming his decision a “big mistake”, Khan accused Bajwa of playing a “double game” against his government.

In an interview with a local TV channel, the ex-PM said he regretted putting his trust in the then-army chief. “I would believe in everything General Bajwa would tell me because our interests were the same… that we had to save the country.”

“I did not get to know how the lies were spoken and I was betrayed,” he added.

Khan, who was ousted in April this year after losing a no-confidence motion in parliament, claimed that he received reports from the intelligence agencies on “what games were being played against his government”.

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“We were constantly told that they want continuity, while in the background conspiracy was happening”-<a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ImranKhanPTI</a> <a href="https://t.co/0JOEjowHOu">pic.twitter.com/0JOEjowHOu</a>
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He alleged that the military establishment under General Bajwa was in cahoots with Pakistan Muslim League (N) chief Nawaz Sharif to topple his government.

The former-cricketer-turned politician further alleged that their partnership became apparent following the removal of Lt Gen (retd.) Faiz Hameed, considered close to Bajwa, as the ISI chief in October 2021.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/asim-munir-kicks-off-armys-game-of-thrones-in-pakistan-with-major-reshuffle-539646">General Asim Munir kicks off Pakistan army's game of thrones with major reshuffle</a>

“Gen Bajwa was playing a double game and I discovered later that even PTI’s members were being given different messages,” he was quoted as saying.

Gen Bajwa, 61, retired on November 29 after getting a three-year extension in 2019 by the then prime minister Khan.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-mends-its-strategy-after-ttp-calls-off-ceasefire-539099">Pakistan mends its strategy after TTP calls off ceasefire</a>

On a number of occasions, Khan had lashed out against the former military chief for allegedly interfering in government affairs.

Khan and Bajwa used to enjoy cordial relations as it was widely believed and claimed by the opposition that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party chief won the elections in 2018 with the help of the army, which was headed by Bajwa at that time.

In his farewell address last week, Bajwa said that his decision to keep the military establishment “apolitical” will shield it from the “vagaries of politics” in the coup-prone country.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Ramping up his attack against General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who recently stepped down as Pakistan’s army chief, former prime minister Imran Khan said he regrets extending the tenure of the military chief in 2019.

Ramping up his attack against General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who recently stepped down as Pakistan’s army chief, former prime minister Imran Khan said he regrets extending the tenure of the military chief in 2019. Terming his decision a “big mistake”, Khan accused Bajwa of playing a “double game” against his government. In an interview with a local TV channel, the ex-PM said he regretted putting his trust in the then-army chief. “I would believe in everything General Bajwa would tell me because our interests were the same… that we had to save the country.” “I did not get to know how the lies were spoken and I was betrayed,” he added. Khan, who was ousted in April this year after losing a no-confidence motion in parliament, claimed that he received reports from the intelligence agencies on “what games were being played against his government”. “We were constantly told that they want continuity, while in the background conspiracy was happening”-@ImranKhanPTI pic.twitter.com/0JOEjowHOu — PTI (@PTIofficial) December 3, 2022 × He alleged that the military establishment under General Bajwa was in cahoots with Pakistan Muslim League (N) chief Nawaz Sharif to topple his government. The former-cricketer-turned politician further alleged that their partnership became apparent following the removal of Lt Gen (retd.) Faiz Hameed, considered close to Bajwa, as the ISI chief in October 2021. Also read | General Asim Munir kicks off Pakistan army's game of thrones with major reshuffle “Gen Bajwa was playing a double game and I discovered later that even PTI’s members were being given different messages,” he was quoted as saying. Gen Bajwa, 61, retired on November 29 after getting a three-year extension in 2019 by the then prime minister Khan. Also read | Pakistan mends its strategy after TTP calls off ceasefire On a number of occasions, Khan had lashed out against the former military chief for allegedly interfering in government affairs. Khan and Bajwa used to enjoy cordial relations as it was widely believed and claimed by the opposition that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party chief won the elections in 2018 with the help of the army, which was headed by Bajwa at that time. In his farewell address last week, Bajwa said that his decision to keep the military establishment “apolitical” will shield it from the “vagaries of politics” in the coup-prone country. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

‘Big mistake’: Ex-Pak PM Khan regrets extending tenure of former army chief Bajwa

A senior lawmaker from Pakistan ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was arrested for tweeting against Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who is scheduled to retire on November 29, 2022.

In his tweet, senator Azam Khan Swati&nbsp;accused Bajwa of legitimising corruption in the state institutions following the&nbsp;acquittal&nbsp;of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz in the money laundering case.&nbsp;

“Mr Bajwa congratulations to you and few with you. Your plan is really working and all criminals are getting free at cost of this country. With these thugs getting free, you have legitimised corruption. How you predict now the future of this country (sic),” he said.&nbsp;

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Mr Bajwa congratulations to you and few with you . Your plan is really working and all criminals are getting free at cost of this country . With these thugs getting free You have legitimise corruption . How you predict now the future of this country ? <a href="https://t.co/uZgHQjZ7lJ">pic.twitter.com/uZgHQjZ7lJ</a>
— Senator Azam Khan Swati (@AzamKhanSwatiPk) <a href="https://twitter.com/AzamKhanSwatiPk/status/1580196735288107010?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 12, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Following his tweet, a case was registered against the PTI leader.&nbsp;

According to local media reports, Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) registered the First Information Report at its Cyber Crime Reporting Centre in Islamabad.&nbsp;

The FIR states that Swati spread “false information” through his official Twitter handle, “which is likely to incite any Officer, Soldier, Sailor, or Airman in the Army, Navy or Air Force to mutiny”, reports Express Tribune newspaper.&nbsp;

“This is a calculated attempt to create hatred in the minds of people and army personnel/s against COAS and Pakistan army and also created distrust towards the judicial system. In such intimidating tweet/s, the accused Muhammad Azam Khan Swati has attempted to provoke the general public and personnel/s of armed forces by trying to create a feeling of ill-will among pillars of the State,” said&nbsp;the FIR.&nbsp;

On Thursday, Swati was produced before a sessions court in Islamabad where he addressed the media outside saying that he was not arrested for breaking the law, violating the Constitution or fundamental rights but for “taking one name — of Bajwa — and that is the violation”.&nbsp;

PM Shehbaz and his son were cleared of money laundering charges worth Rs 116 billion by a Lahore court.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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A senior lawmaker from Pakistan ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was arrested for tweeting against Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who is scheduled to retire on November 29, 2022.

A senior lawmaker from Pakistan ex-prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party was arrested for tweeting against Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who is scheduled to retire on November 29, 2022. In his tweet, senator Azam Khan Swati accused Bajwa of legitimising corruption in the state institutions following the acquittal of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his son Hamza Shehbaz in the money laundering case. “Mr Bajwa congratulations to you and few with you. Your plan is really working and all criminals are getting free at cost of this country. With these thugs getting free, you have legitimised corruption. How you predict now the future of this country (sic),” he said. Mr Bajwa congratulations to you and few with you . Your plan is really working and all criminals are getting free at cost of this country . With these thugs getting free You have legitimise corruption . How you predict now the future of this country ? pic.twitter.com/uZgHQjZ7lJ — Senator Azam Khan Swati (@AzamKhanSwatiPk) October 12, 2022 × Following his tweet, a case was registered against the PTI leader. According to local media reports, Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) registered the First Information Report at its Cyber Crime Reporting Centre in Islamabad. The FIR states that Swati spread “false information” through his official Twitter handle, “which is likely to incite any Officer, Soldier, Sailor, or Airman in the Army, Navy or Air Force to mutiny”, reports Express Tribune newspaper. “This is a calculated attempt to create hatred in the minds of people and army personnel/s against COAS and Pakistan army and also created distrust towards the judicial system. In such intimidating tweet/s, the accused Muhammad Azam Khan Swati has attempted to provoke the general public and personnel/s of armed forces by trying to create a feeling of ill-will among pillars of the State,” said the FIR. On Thursday, Swati was produced before a sessions court in Islamabad where he addressed the media outside saying that he was not arrested for breaking the law, violating the Constitution or fundamental rights but for “taking one name — of Bajwa — and that is the violation”. PM Shehbaz and his son were cleared of money laundering charges worth Rs 116 billion by a Lahore court. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Lawmaker from ex-PM Imran Khan’s party PTI arrested for tweeting against Pak Army chief  

In a huge shake-up of the top brass of Pakistan's Army ahead of the change in leadership next month as Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa leaves, 12 major generals were promoted&nbsp;to the rank of lieutenant general.

Major Generals Inam Haider Malik, Fayyaz Hussain Shah, Nauman Zakria, Mohammad Zafar Iqbal, Ayman Bilal Safdar, Ahsan Gulrez, Syed Aamer Raza, Shahid Imtiaz, Mohammad Munir Afsar, Maj General Babar Iftikhar, Yousaf Jamal, and Kashif Nazir are among those promoted, according to ISPR.

It is unusual to see so many people promoted to the position of lieutenant general at once. Although these elevations are typically supposed to be done on the basis of vacancies, the promotions in the Army had been overdue for about a year, reported Dawn newspaper.&nbsp;

The seats vacated by the retirement of three lieutenant generals in the middle of October 2021, one in July of this year, and five at the end of September would be filled by the 12 newly promoted generals. Lt Gen Majid Ehsan, the former IG Arms, Lt Gen Amir Abbasi, the former QMG, and Lt Gen Hamooduz Zaman Khan, the former Commander of Army Air Defence Command, were among those who had retired a year earlier.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-slams-pakistan-at-unga-for-drawing-parallels-over-kashmir-524952">&nbsp;India slams Pakistan at UNGA for drawing parallels over 'Kashmir'</a>

After Lt. Gen. Sarfraz Ali, the corps commander of Balochistan, was killed in a helicopter crash on August 2 while carrying out flood relief operations, the tenth position became vacant.

To replace the anticipated four-star vacancies caused by the impending retirement of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Nadeem Raza and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, two additional generals have been promoted in advance.

The COAS alone has the authority to promote soldiers at this level. However, it is customary for the chiefs to meet with other top generals informally before making the&nbsp;choices.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/report-something-we-take-very-seriously-us-responds-to-alleged-corruption-in-flood-relief-to-pakistan-524701">Reports of massive corruption, looting of flood relief to Pakistan from Washington serious, says US</a>

The 12 promoted officers would make up a sizable portion of the team that the new chief would take over in November, making the most recent promotions one of Gen. Bajwa's most important decisions prior to his retirement. The posting of the promoted officers, which GHQ would soon complete, would now be the focus of all attention. A number of significant posts are presently open.

Immediately following his appointment in 2016, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-army-chief-hints-at-peace-with-india-without-mentioning-kashmir-523657">Gen. Bajwa</a> had the chance to promote seven major generals, which aided in the formation of his own team. Due to the elevation of two officers to four star ranks and the resignation of four other officers after being replaced, the seven slots had become vacant at that time.

A couple of the recently promoted officers had worked closely with Gen. Bajwa. These officers include DG ISPR Gen Babar Iftikhar, DG Perspective Planning Cell Gen Ayman Bilal Safdar, and Vice Chief of General Staff-A Gen Nauman Zikriya.

(With inputs from agencies)

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In a huge shake-up of the top brass of Pakistan's Army ahead of the change in leadership next month as Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa leaves, 12 major generals were promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.

In a huge shake-up of the top brass of Pakistan's Army ahead of the change in leadership next month as Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa leaves, 12 major generals were promoted to the rank of lieutenant general. Major Generals Inam Haider Malik, Fayyaz Hussain Shah, Nauman Zakria, Mohammad Zafar Iqbal, Ayman Bilal Safdar, Ahsan Gulrez, Syed Aamer Raza, Shahid Imtiaz, Mohammad Munir Afsar, Maj General Babar Iftikhar, Yousaf Jamal, and Kashif Nazir are among those promoted, according to ISPR. It is unusual to see so many people promoted to the position of lieutenant general at once. Although these elevations are typically supposed to be done on the basis of vacancies, the promotions in the Army had been overdue for about a year, reported Dawn newspaper. The seats vacated by the retirement of three lieutenant generals in the middle of October 2021, one in July of this year, and five at the end of September would be filled by the 12 newly promoted generals. Lt Gen Majid Ehsan, the former IG Arms, Lt Gen Amir Abbasi, the former QMG, and Lt Gen Hamooduz Zaman Khan, the former Commander of Army Air Defence Command, were among those who had retired a year earlier. Also read | India slams Pakistan at UNGA for drawing parallels over 'Kashmir' After Lt. Gen. Sarfraz Ali, the corps commander of Balochistan, was killed in a helicopter crash on August 2 while carrying out flood relief operations, the tenth position became vacant. To replace the anticipated four-star vacancies caused by the impending retirement of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Nadeem Raza and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, two additional generals have been promoted in advance. The COAS alone has the authority to promote soldiers at this level. However, it is customary for the chiefs to meet with other top generals informally before making the choices. Also read | Reports of massive corruption, looting of flood relief to Pakistan from Washington serious, says US The 12 promoted officers would make up a sizable portion of the team that the new chief would take over in November, making the most recent promotions one of Gen. Bajwa's most important decisions prior to his retirement. The posting of the promoted officers, which GHQ would soon complete, would now be the focus of all attention. A number of significant posts are presently open. Immediately following his appointment in 2016, Gen. Bajwa had the chance to promote seven major generals, which aided in the formation of his own team. Due to the elevation of two officers to four star ranks and the resignation of four other officers after being replaced, the seven slots had become vacant at that time. A couple of the recently promoted officers had worked closely with Gen. Bajwa. These officers include DG ISPR Gen Babar Iftikhar, DG Perspective Planning Cell Gen Ayman Bilal Safdar, and Vice Chief of General Staff-A Gen Nauman Zikriya. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

12 Pakistan major generals promoted in massive overhaul of top military brass

"He's been in the helm of affairs for six years. I can remember n number of incidents when Gen Bajwa has made keynote addresses all over Pakistan and internationally in which he has spoken about peace," Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain said.

'This is not first time Gen Bajwa has spoken about peace,' says Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (R)

Amidst devastating floods and record-high inflation, Pakistan is batting for peace with India. Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Gen Bajwa stressed on the need for peace and developing a mechanism for resolving bilateral issues.

Pakistan bats for peace with neighbours; army chief says 'trying to break logjam'

Pakistan's Army Chief Gen Bajwa is on a tour to the United States. While being there, he held talks with the US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon along with other officials and thanked them for their support during the floods in Pakistan.

WION Dispatch: Pakistan Army Chief Gen Bajwa on US tour, thanks country for aid during floods

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