Gen Raheel Sharif bids PM Nawaz farewell during visit

The premier praises outgoing army chief's valuable services rendered for the country


News Desk November 28, 2016
PHOTO: PM HOUSE

Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Monday paid a farewell visit to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the PM House, a day prior to relinquishing his duties as army chief.

The premier praised General Raheel for his valuable services rendered as army chief, extended wishes for the latter's post-retirement life and his future endeavours, a statement from the PM House said.

Corps Commanders conference

General Raheel chaired a farewell Corps Commanders conference at the General Headquarters (GHQ), Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

The Corps Commanders paid rich tributes to General Raheel for his leadership and professional acumen and lauded his services for the country. General Raheel said it was a matter of great pride for him to have commanded the most battle-hardened army in the world for three years.

PHOTO: ISPR

He appreciated the Corps Commanders for their cooperation during his tenure and said the successes achieved during his tenure would not have been possible without contribution by each one of them.

New army chief brings no change in policy: Khawaja Asif

General Raheel also congratulated General Qamar Javed Bajwa for his elevation to the rank of general and appointment as the army chief. The conference was attended by Gen Qamar Bajwa, corps commanders and Principal Staff officers.

The formal change of command ceremony will be held on November 29.

General Raheel will part ways with his duties on November 29 as the army chief and handover his responsibilities to Lieutenant General Qamar Javed Bajwa who was appointed as the new Chief of Army Staff on Saturday. General Zubair Hayat was appointed as the new Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC).

On November 24, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif hosted a farewell dinner in honour of General Raheel and said that he proved beyond a shadow of doubt that he was one of the finest military leaders of his generation.

He also said that as the army chief, Gen Raheel made a vast difference in the service of our country. “We have successfully established the writ of the state and reclaimed every inch of territory under our sovereign control,” the premier remarked.

Saluting the brave: Gen Raheel ‘a true professional soldier’

Gen Raheel visits ISI headquarters

As part of Gen Raheel's ongoing farewell visits, the COAS visited the ISI headquarters in Islamabad where he met with Director General ISI Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar.

Gen Raheel paid tribute to the efforts and success of all ISI officers fighting against terrorism and for defending the country.

As Gen Raheel steps down, it will be the first time in decades that Pakistan’s army chief will retire after completion of his term without any extension. His two predecessors – Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Pervez Musharraf – remained in the top slot for six and 10 years, respectively.

Although Gen Raheel had himself announced almost a year ago that he would not take any extension, speculation about whether he would be hanging up his uniform continued till earlier this week until the military’s media wing confirmed publicly that he had started a farewell tour of army formations across the country.

COMMENTS (3)

AN | 7 years ago | Reply Mehta Karna: General Raheel Sharif is not leaving. His is retired. This can only be understood by sane individuals. Further, surgical strike stupidity was just a drama of which no evidence is available or produced by cowards. Just read the comments of Ex- Generals of Indian Army about General Sharif before making a comment. Cheers.
Sodomite | 7 years ago | Reply Raheel Sharif's leadership qualities will be sorely missed. I hope that he will choose to stand for elections when the constitution permits and become the PM of this nation. His honesty and integrity, hard work and dedication will itself promote the best in everyone in the civilian government by example. We need this badly in the Government.
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ