General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s recent visit to SSG Head Quarters on December 18th gained immense traction on social media. Twitter users heavily weighted in on his visit that came a day after apex court wrapped up former Army Chief’s General Pervez Musharraf’s treason case on 17th December, awarding him the death penalty and labeling him a traitor.
Following the visit, the images and video of General Qamar Javed Bajwa showing his fist along with SSG commandos went viral on social media. This might have been a routine visit but people described it as a succinct message from the Pakistan armed forces to the nation that it is strongly standing with its former chief Pervez Musharraf.
The action of the fist-an insignia of former General Pervez Musharaff by COAS Bajwa and SSG commandos echoed unity in the armed force on the matter. Also, his visit to SSG Headquarter, which was once headed by General Pervez Musharraf was in itself self-explanatory.
https://twitter.com/AMShahidLatif/status/1207562215450173440?s=20
https://twitter.com/WarWounded__/status/1207290275242139648?s=20
#iAmPakistanArmy
As Army chief visits SSG headquarters, vows not to let stability be affected 'at any cost' pic.twitter.com/rncD1mNyJm— Nighat Rehman (@rehmannighat1) December 19, 2019
Twitter users asserted that Pakistan’s armed forces are expressing unity with their former chief in every possible way.
Earlier, ISPR had ‘rejected’ the Supreme Court’s verdict in a treason case in the press release. Adding that, the decision has been received with ‘pain and anguish’ by the armed forces of Pakistan.
Gen Musharraf was an SSG commando as well. So a timely and symbolic visit by COAS. https://t.co/ZZfBh8fpMa
— Adeel Azhar (@adeel_azhar) December 18, 2019
It is noteworthy that, General Pervez Musharraf had served the Special Services Group from 1966 until 1972. He was the Company Commander SSG and Commando Battalion during the 1972 war with India. In his book, Line of Fire, General Musharraf has recounted in detail his professional service and deep bond with the SSG.
Read more: If Dead, drag Musharraf’s Body to D-Chowk & let it hang for 3 Days
Journalists like Gharida Farooqui, Kamran Khan, and security and defense analyst, Shahid Latif described Gen Bajwa’s visit at SSG Headquarter as an ‘important’ message of solidarity.
People said perhaps Gen Bajwa strived to pacify the SSG commandos who according to armed forces are in grief following the judgment.
COAS Gen QJB visits HQ SSG. Delivers IMP msg “We shall never let it [stability] go away at any cost”
Day 1 after special court sentences Gen Musharraf. Worthy to note Musharraf served in SSG 1996-72; was company commander SSG Commando battalion during 1971 war with India.
— Gharidah Farooqi (T.I.) (@GFarooqi) December 18, 2019
افواج نے خون سے ہماری حفاظت کی ہے ہزاروں جانیں نچھاور کیں شہیدوں کےہراول دستوں میں کمانڈوز ہوتے ہیں مشرف بھی کمانڈو تھے آج کمانڈوز بے حد غصے میں تھے عدالت نے مقبول ترین کمانڈر کو غدار کہ دیا جنرل باجوہ آج کمانڈوز ہیڈ کوارٹرز گئے دلاسہ دیا گلے لگایا پاکستان زندہ باد کے نعرے لگے pic.twitter.com/264tDHL61u
— Kamran Khan (@AajKamranKhan) December 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/Game_Turner1/status/1207509331245223936?s=20
Very true. COAS visit to SSG HQ , the home of our elite commandos, is imp in present scenario. Mush as a former commando still revered by SSG. DG ISPR's statement on issue reflected sentiment of Armed Forces that surely included SSG. https://t.co/F4HHYxLRgR
— Farooq Hameed Khan (@FarooqHKhan) December 19, 2019
However, the explosive statement that “We direct the law enforcement agencies to strive their level best to apprehend the fugitive/convict and to ensure that the punishment is inflicted as per law and if found dead, his corpse be dragged to the D-Chowk, Islamabad, Pakistan and be hanged for 03 days” in the former president Musharraf’s treason case written by Peshawar High Court Chief Justice Waqar Ahmed Seth, is feared fuel the dispute between judiciary, government and armed forces further.