Pakistan names Lt. Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa as new army chief

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Lt. Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa was chosen Saturday as Pakistan's new military chief to replace outgoing Gen. Raheel Sharif, regarded as the country's most powerful leader.

Pakistani leaders announced Bajwa is expected to take charge next week in a formal ceremony in Rawalpindi, where the Pakistani army is headquartered. Sharif had announced his retirement in January, leading to months of speculation about his successor.

Inter-Services Public Relations, the Pakistani military's media service, said Bajwa, who heads up the army's Training and Evaluation Wing, was commissioned in 1980. He was educated in California and Canada and has served in posts abroad, including commanding the Pakistan Contingent in Congo.

Prime Minister House spokesman Musaddiq Malik said making the new appointment was difficult.

"I congratulate Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa for his appointment as chief of the army staff," Malik said