Former Pakistan Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa has died at the age of 65 after a prolonged illness, according to reports on Sunday.
Bajwa, who served as the 10th Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army from November 2016 to November 2022, was widely regarded as one of the most influential military figures in the country’s recent history.
His death marks the end of a significant chapter in Pakistan’s military and political landscape, where the army has traditionally played a central role in governance and national security.
Reports said Bajwa had been suffering from complications following serious head injuries sustained in a fall in February 2026.
Commissioned into the 16 Baloch Regiment in 1978, Bajwa rose through the ranks to hold key positions including Inspector General of Training and Evaluation and commander of the strategic X Corps before being appointed army chief by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
His tenure as army chief coincided with a period of heightened tensions with India, including the 2019 Balakot airstrikes, as well as significant domestic political developments.
Bajwa’s leadership was often characterised by the military’s visible role in political affairs, particularly during the tenure of former prime minister Imran Khan, drawing both domestic and international scrutiny.
Security analysts say Bajwa “remained a central figure in Pakistan’s power structure, even beyond his formal tenure.”
Following his retirement in November 2022, Bajwa was succeeded by Asim Munir.
Even after stepping down, Bajwa continued to be a subject of political discourse in Pakistan, reflecting his enduring influence on civil-military relations.
In 2018, he was ranked 68th on Forbes’ list of the world’s most powerful people, underscoring his global profile during his tenure.
