‘I will retire at the end of my tenure,’ General Raheel
RAWALPINDI – Pakistan’s army chief said on Monday he would step down at the end of his three-year term in November. ‘I will retire on due date,’ he quoted.
General Raheel Sharif added that Operation Zarb-e-Azb and the war against terrorism will continue with full force.
General Raheel Sharif assumed COAS office on November 29, 2013 after General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani’s retirement. Gen Kayani served as military chief for six years after rules were relaxed to grant him an extension in July 2010 by the then Pakistan People’s Party government.
General Raheel Sharif is considered to be one of most successful and popular army chiefs in Pakistan’s history. His involvement in the war against terrorism and relations with the civilian government has added to his repute.
Speculations about extension in service of COAS are baseless,” the ISPR Director General Lt-General Asim Saleem Bajwa said in a Twitter message.
Speculations about extension in service of COAS are baseless.COAS said;”Pakistan Army is a great institution.I dont believe in extension-1/3
— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 25, 2016
and will retire on the due date.Efforts to route out terrorism will continue with full vigor and resolve-2/3
— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 25, 2016
Pakistan’s national interest is supreme and will be safe guarded at all costs.”-3/3
— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 25, 2016
A petition seeking three-year extension in the service of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif was filed in the Supreme Court on Monday.
The petitioner mentioned that during the tenure of General Raheel Sharif as Army Chief, terror attacks had lessened across the country.
Leaders from key political parties including former president of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari have welcomed Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif’s decision for not taking extension in service and to retire at end of his tenure.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) senior leader Qamar Zaman Kaira and Awami Muslim League (AML) chief Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed also hailed army chief’s decision, saying that it will further enhance image of armed forces.