Saudi assignment: Raheel Sharif, his wife issued three-year multiple visas

ISLAMABAD: The government of Saudi Arabia has issued former Pakistan Army chief Gen. (r) Raheel Sharif and his wife a three-year multiple visa for Saudi Arabia, possibly making him the first Pakistani in ten years, who has been granted this facility in private capacity.

According to a report, diplomatic sources told The News that this important development hints towards the possibility that Gen. (r) Raheel Sharif may have accepted the offer to head the Islamic Military Alliance (IMA) coalition force and also may have taken charge of it.

This coalition force was formed by Saudi Arabia's Defence Minister Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud on December 15, 2015. Gen. (r) Raheel Sharif will reside in Riyadh where the joint operation centre of this alliance has been established.

Initially when this military alliance was formed, it contained 34 members. With the inclusion of Oman, it has now swelled to 41 members. Gen. (r) Raheel will be the Islamic Military Alliance's founding Commander-in-Chief. Sources claimed that he has already accepted this role.

Sources also claimed that Gen.(r) Raheel Sharif's children have been issued multiple visas for three months.