Pakistan

Musharraf opens up on Raheel Sharif joining Islamic military alliance

Musharraf denies new military leadership isn’t extending him the same support General (retd) Raheel Sharif did

News Desk March 04, 2017

Former president Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf. PHOTO: AFP

Former military ruler General (retd) Pervez Musharraf on Friday said General (retd) Raheel Sharif should think before accepting Saudi Arabia’s offer to lead the Islamic military alliance.

“Raheel Sharif served as the army chief of Pakistan and he should think over the issue,” Musharraf said while responding to a question during an interview with a private channel. The question came amid reports that the former army chief had been appointed as the commander of the Saudi-led 39-nation military coalition.

Raheel Sharif has not applied for NOC ‘to head Saudi coalition’: Khawaja Asif

Pakistan has a large Shia population and it should not be involved in such a serious sectarian matter, the former president maintained. “Pakistan should think 100 times before being involved in any sectarian issue,” he said.

“One should consider over the force, meet its commanders, see the targets and decide whether such objectives can be achieved with this force,” Musharraf added. “If the targets are impossible then one should not join it.”

Musharraf denied that the new military leadership isn’t extending him the same support General (retd) Raheel Sharif did. Responding to a question whether a lack of guarantee from the new military leadership was the reason why he wasn’t returning to Pakistan, the former president said, “This military is mine and I am proud of it.”

“I served in the army for 45 years and held its command. I fought several battles, including Kargil, and the incumbent leadership was under my command. They were my students when I taught at NDA, how can they forget me,” he responded.

Parliamentary leaders question Raheel Sharif's likely appointment as head of Saudi military alliance

In January this year, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that former army chief General (retd) Raheel Sharif had been appointed chief of Islamic military alliance. Days after he confirmed the appointment of General (retd) Raheel Sharif as the commander of the Saudi-led 39-nation military coalition, Asif told the Senate that the former army chief had not obtained the government’s clearance to take the position.

Some retired military officers accused the government of launching a deliberate smear campaign against the former army chief. Lt Gen (retd) Amjid Shoaib told The Express Tribune that Gen Raheel’s heading of the coalition was conditional to the Pakistan government’s decision of joining it.

COMMENTS (4)

Shafaq Hussain Shah | 7 years ago | Reply In my opinion rt.General should accept this post as if doesn't someone will, leaving vacuum will only serve enemy of muslims unity and terrorist groups throughout muslim nations, which are most effected by this disease presently. What's more his appointment would be in the best interest of both countries Pakistan and Iran alike, as Iran will have a person in charge to whom they will be able to share concern and ask questions with more confidence then any arab commander in charge, and for Pakistan as if he is in command, it will be a kind of guarantee that Pakistani Intelligent services, resources and any other method or material will not used to hinder Pakistan's friendship especially with Iran and or any other friend of Pakistan. Finally his post should also provide insurance and satisfaction to the whole nation, that as ex commander of Pakistani arm forces he will never surrender to any demand which will undermine Pakistan interest or the will of nation (Resulation of Parliament).

D Kamal | 7 years ago | Reply He should only join on one condition that Iran be part part of the alliance. Otherwise I don't see the point of this. When the Arabs are increasingly pandering the India. We have more in common with Iran then we do with Saudi. We share a huge cultural overlap with them from poetry to arts music film literature and linguistics. With Iran we share the Indo-Aryan culture.

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kemosabe | 7 years ago | Reply Musharraf is correct, shouldn't place all our few eggs in one basket. That, and the growing power Iran, was the first country to recognize Pakistan.

Ashiq Hussain kuchay | 7 years ago | Reply Yes he should accept the offer it is a gift from Allah. Allah likes the unity and it is not the question of Sunni or shia or Iran this is the best platform for the wellbeing of Muslim ummah

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