It was just brought to light by DG ISPR, LT Gen. Asim Saleem Bajwa that the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa has no presence on social media. This means that he does not have or run any account on Facebook and Twitter, and any accounts under his name are not real.
The clarification was issued after reports of fake social media accounts that purported to be that of the new COAS hit the internet, shortly after his official announcement as Pakistan’s newest army chief.
He said in a tweet on Sunday:
#COAS designate Gen Qamar Bajwa has zero presence on social media.All fb/twitter&other SM platforms ids&accounts on his name are fake
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) November 27, 2016
This news comes just a day after Gen Bajwa was appointed as the country’s new Chief of Army Staff (COAS). He will take General Raheel Shareef’s place and replace him on November 29.
He also said
Rehearsals for #COAS Change of Comd ceremony in full swing at https://t.co/PE3fBngDWX Ceremony will be held on Tuesday,29th Nov 2016. pic.twitter.com/LmOQybvU0a
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) November 27, 2016
Change of Command Ceremony To Be Held on Tuesday
The spokesperson of the army furthermore revealed that the formal change of command ceremony will be held on Tuesday at the Army’s General Headquarters (GHQ) for the welcoming of the arriving chief. The media reports say that the newly appointed Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJSC) Gen Zubair Mehmood Hayat will take charge on Monday, the day before the ceremony.
Separately, Army Chief General Raheel Shareef visited his native village Kunjah in Gujrat during the visit invested himself and his wealth in Shabbir Shareef Hospital to provide health facilities to the native populace.
Govt officials social media accounts should be banned by Law (means official accounts). All official statements must be issued from relevant ministries.