Soldier speaks: I’ve commanded world’s finest army, says Gen Raheel

Says army is fully prepared to respond to any challenge

LAHORE: Gen Raheel Sharif, kicking off his farewell visits nearly a week before he is expected to retire as chief of army staff, visited on Monday Lahore Garrison where he addressed and thanked a huge gathering of soldiers of Pakistan Army and Rangers.

Addressing the soldiers, Gen Raheel said accomplishment of peace and stability was no ordinary task and added “it was a matter of great pride for him to have commanded the finest army in the world”.

“It was our sacrifices and joint national resolve that helped us in offsetting all odds against our country,” said General Raheel.

“We are fully prepared to respond to any challenge and no one could dare cast an evil eye on Pakistan.”

The army chief further said that Operation Zarb-e-Azb has resulted in a “more secure” and “stable” Pakistan with a sense of greater hope and direction.

“Pakistani is the most resilient and brave nation in the world and its people have always survived in adverse conditions,” Gen Raheel said and urged the troops “to follow the norms of their rich military tradition with even greater vigour and continue serving their people with utmost dedication, resilience and greater sense of sacrifice”.

Earlier, the army chief was received by Lt-Gen Sadiq Ali, Commander, 4 Corps, on his arrival.

On the second leg of his farewell visits, the army chief travelled to Gujranwala and addressed officers and troops of Mangla and Gujranwala Corps.

In his address, he paid rich tributes to professionalism, dedication and sacrifices of the troops while defending their motherland along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 22^nd, 2016.