ISLAMABAD: Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa fainted due to a heart block caused by a disturbance in the heart’s electrical system, a family source said on Thursday.
According to the source, the medical condition led to a sudden loss of consciousness, resulting in a fall at his residence and a head injury. He is currently under treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH).
The source, speaking to the media, said misinformation regarding the former army chief’s health was circulating and urged the public to avoid rumours and respect his medical privacy.
“Gen Bajwa was feeling unwell on the evening of February 9 but went for his routine walk and exercise. Later that night, he felt nauseous, went to the washroom and fainted after vomiting,” the source said, adding that he was shifted to CMH within 15 minutes.
Doctors later diagnosed him with a Third-Degree Atrioventricular (AV) Block, a condition that disrupts the heart’s electrical signals and can cause fainting. The source said he sustained three hairline skull fractures in the fall; however, no blood clots were detected in the brain.
He is currently being treated with a temporary pacemaker, and doctors plan to implant a permanent pacemaker to address the heart condition. The source added that although there is some bleeding, surgery is not required at this stage. He is being kept sedated as part of the recovery process.
The source further stated that Gen Bajwa is conscious and able to recognise family members.
Earlier, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that the former army chief was receiving medical care at CMH after sustaining injuries from a fall at his residence.
General (retd) Bajwa served as Chief of Army Staff from 2016 until his retirement on November 29, 2022.