Key Highlights
- Health Crisis: The former General passed away at a military hospital after a sudden decline in his condition on Saturday.
- Conflicting Reports: While local sources cite a bathroom fall in February as the cause of injury, unconfirmed intelligence reports suggest a targeted attack.
- Six-Year Tenure: Bajwa served as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) from 2016 to 2022, playing a pivotal role in Pakistan’s “hybrid” governance.
- Political Rifts: His legacy is marked by a fractured relationship with former Prime Minister Imran Khan and alleged internal military purges.
- Silence from Authorities: As of Sunday, the Pakistani government and military leadership have yet to issue an official death certificate or public statement.
The passing of General Qamar Javed Bajwa on March 28, 2026, marks the end of a life that was deeply intertwined with Pakistan’s complex security and political landscape. At 65, Bajwa was a figure who commanded immense respect within the barracks but faced growing criticism from the public and political factions toward the end of his life.
General Bajwa was hospitalized in late February 2025 following a severe incident at his home. According to initial domestic reports, the General slipped in his bathroom, sustaining critical injuries that required immediate admission to the Rawalpindi Military Hospital. He spent several weeks in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and underwent a series of complex surgeries. While his medical team initially described the operations as successful, his recovery was hampered by complications, eventually leading to his demise this past Saturday.
The Mystery Surrounding the General’s Injury
Despite the “bathroom fall” narrative provided by domestic sources, the circumstances of Bajwa’s injuries remain a subject of intense international speculation. Intelligence sources, cited in various reports, have suggested that the General may have been the victim of an insider attack within the military establishment.
These unconfirmed claims point toward deep-seated rifts within the armed forces, allegedly stemming from Bajwa’s role in the 2022 ousting of Prime Minister Imran Khan. Some reports suggest that the attack may have been carried out by personnel or family members of officers who were targeted during internal military purges ordered by Bajwa in late 2022. This atmosphere of internal tension has led to a noticeable delay in official state mourning and public announcements.
Legacy of the “Bajwa Doctrine”
General Bajwa’s six-year stint as the Army Chief was characterized by the “Bajwa Doctrine,” a strategy aimed at balancing regional security while maintaining a firm grip on domestic policy. He was instrumental in managing Pakistan’s relationship with the United States and China, as well as overseeing the country’s response to the shifting dynamics in neighboring Afghanistan.
However, his legacy is most frequently discussed in the context of “Project Imran Khan.” Initially seen as the primary backer of Khan’s rise to power, the relationship eventually soured, leading to unprecedented political instability. Following his retirement in 2022, Bajwa remained a shadow figure in Pakistani politics, frequently accused by the opposition of orchestrating the judicial and political challenges faced by his former allies.
As Pakistan prepares for the funeral of one of its most powerful modern leaders, the silence from official military headquarters (GHQ) speaks volumes about the current state of national security and the delicate balance of power within the country.
