Ex-Pak Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa suffers brain haemorrhage after fall at residence: Report

Former Pakistan Army Chief Qamar Javed Bajwa is reportedly in critical condition due to complications developed from a head injury sustained after a fall at his residence in Rawalpindi in early February, according to CNN-News18.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Bajwa fell at his home following a suspected fainting episode, possibly linked to a cardiac condition. He was rushed to a military hospital in Rawalpindi, where he underwent treatment and was kept under close medical supervision.

Family members and sources had indicated in mid-February that his condition was stable at the time. He was said to be conscious, responsive, and able to recognise relatives, with initial tests reportedly showing no major concerns.

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However, recent reports suggest his condition may have worsened, with claims of a brain haemorrhage circulating online.Some reports suggested his demise, but according to CNN News18, Bajwa’s wife confirmed to a close friend that he is alive.

But these developments remain unconfirmed by official sources, and there has been no formal statement from Pakistan’s military or his family verifying the extent of his current condition.

Architect of the ‘hybrid era’

Bajwa served as the 10th Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army from November 2016 to November 2022. His six-year leadership, which included a highly debated three-year extension, was defined by the military’s deepened involvement in Pakistan’s economic and political spheres. Under the so-called Bajwa Doctrine, he prioritised internal stability and shifted the focus toward “geoeconomics,” attempting to balance ties between global powers like the United States and China while managing a volatile relationship with India.

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Domestically, his tenure was characterised by the “hybrid” governance model, most notably during the premiership of Imran Khan, where the military played a decisive role in policy decisions.

On the security front, he spearheaded Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad to consolidate counter-terrorism gains across the country. Bajwa retired in late 2022.