Anyone succeeding General Raheel will have no other option but to continue with his policies in this respect
RAWALPINDI: While it may be a source of comfort to a few, yet most have shown concern over General Raheel Sharif’s announcement declining any extension in service given to him. Their main concern is the unfinished task of eliminating terrorism in Pakistan. Let me assure people that anyone succeeding General Raheel will have no other option but to continue with his policies in this respect. There is a strong overall feeling in the armed forces that there is no alternative to the ‘Pakistan first’ theory and every other consideration is subservient to it. Therefore, the army chief, whosoever he may be, would have to keep in view the sentiments of the force that he commands.
I am sure by now the authorities are aware that no three-star general can reach such a height in the army unless he has the requisite ability, years of practical experience and the overall merit to make it. They would also know that the matter of choice and preference seldom works in winning over personal loyalties. It would, therefore, be appropriate to pass on the command to the next senior-most lieutenant general in line. However, even that doesn’t happen, as long as the person in command prioritises ‘Pakistan first’, there’s no reason to fear his authority.
Colonel (retd) Riaz Jafri
Published in The Express Tribune, January 29th, 2016.
Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.
