US ducks question on Raheel’s extension

Washington on Thursday distanced itself from a debate on granting an extension to army chief General Raheel Sharif.

Last week during a visit to Pakistan, US Senator John McCain sparked the debate when he proposed that Gen Raheel ought to be granted an extension in service beyond his retirement due in November this year. Gen Raheel had earlier this year declared that he will leave office when his service ends.



But when the State Department spokesperson was asked about it during Thursday’s press briefing, he did not offer a comment on the proposal.

“I don’t,” said deputy spokesperson Mark Toner. He, however, went on to add that Washington remains engaged with Islamabad on combating terrorists.



“Again, we are continuing to address some of our concerns about where Pakistan needs to move next in terms of combating terrorist threats,” he said.

He added that the US will continue to work with Pakistan on countering terrorism in the region.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 15^th, 2016.