LAHORE: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited Lahore Garrison today as part of his farewell tour that started in earnest on November 1 as the countdown to his retirement on November 29 continues, the military’s media wing said on Saturday.

During his visit, the army chief laid floral wreath at the monument erected in the memory of martyrs at the garrison and interacted with officers and personnel of the Lahore Corps and Pakistan Rangers Punjab, said an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release.

During his farewell address, COAS lauded troops for their services to nation in the line of duty despite all odds, while appreaciating their professionalism and devotion to the defence of motherland, it said.

He inaugurated the Lahore Garrison’s Institute for Special Education and visited various school facilities for special children.

A new hockey arena was also inaugurated, with General Bajwa interacting with hockey legends present at the ceremony.

Earlier on arrival, the COAS was received by Lahore Corps Commander Lieutenant General Salman Fayyaz Ghani.

Gen Bajwa finally started his farewell visits to formations on November 1 with a visit to the Army Air Defence Command and followed up the next day with a visit to Armed Forces Strategic Forces Command. Since then, he has quietly toured a number of formations.

His visit to Peshawar Corps on Wednesday came close on the heels of the last corps commanders conference (on Tuesday). He also visited garrisons in Sialkot and Mangla earlier in the week.