Gen Raheel is a bold, sagacious leader: Zardari

Says political opportunism should not be allowed to neutralise army’s sacrifices and struggle; expecting army’s role in political matters, accountability and other national issues not justifiable; decision to refuse extension premature

KARACHI: PPP Co-chairman and former president Asif Zardari on Tuesday said the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif was a bold and sagacious military leader and his decision to refuse an extension in service was premature, Geo News has reported.

In a statement, Zardari said the PPP stood by the Pakistan Army. He said Pakistan was facing a multitude of challenges, as criminal gangs and separatists were hatching conspiracies to destabilise it with the help of their foreign handlers.

The PPP leader said the overall security situation of the country had worsened in the aftermath of a militant attack on the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar.Saying the army’s role in political matters, accountability and other national issues was not justifiable, he urged the nation and political forces to unite and support the armed forces to root out terrorism from the country.

He went on to say that the eternal sacrifices and struggle of the army should not be wasted due to political differences and opportunism.Describing the army chief’s decision of refusing an extension in service as premature, he urged the political leadership to take the right decision keeping the greater national interest and the country’s security in mind when the time was ripe.

He said continuity in leadership and the army’s resolute struggle guaranteed the protection and security of Pakistan. He said the announcement made by the army chief sparked debates and discussions on the national media, which were based merely on speculation and termed the same an “exercise in futility”.

He, however, added that when the time came, the political leadership must take the final decision with regard to an extension in the service of the COAS in the greater national interest by keeping in view the prevailing circumstances and aspirations of the people.

“The PPP joined hands with the government in shaping the national strategy at an All Parties Conference under which the army began Operation Zarb-e-Azb and accomplished great successes by undertaking effective actions in the battle against terrorism,” he said.

He lauded the army for the Operation Khyber One in Balochistan against the enemies and terrorists.He also credited the army with what he called the elimination of organised crime in Karachi and tightening the noose around the abettors and facilitators of terrorists across the country, thus, breaking the backbone of militants.