IHC reserves judgment on petition seeking Gen Raheel to be made field marshal

ISLAMABAD: Justice Aamer Farooq of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) here Tuesday reserved judgment over a petition seeking directions for the federal government to elevate in rank of field marshall to General Raheel Sharif for rendering his services to protect national security and safeguarding the frontiers of Pakistan in accordance with the National Action Plan (NAP) and successful operation Zarb-e-Azb in an effective and efficient manner.

Judgment has been reserved regarding maintainability of the petition. The petition was filed by a Rawalpindi lawyer Sardar Adnan Saleem Khan Mazari through his counsel Raja Saimul Haq Satti advocate.

Petitioner cited federal government through secretary Cabinet Division, prime minister of Pakistan and secretary defence as respondents. Petitioner adopted that the exemplary, outstanding and professional performance during peace and war time with total dedication and devotion by our present Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif needs national appreciation, award and recognition.

Petitioner contended that in our Constitution there was no mention of tenure/period of a COAS. Mentioning family background and experience of General Raheel Sharif, petitioner said that the incumbent COAS hails from a great family with military background. His father had been a Major in the army. His elder brother Major Shabbir Sharif and maternal Uncle Major Aziz Bhatti received highest gallantry awards of Nishan-e-Haider.

This family has un-chequred history of sacrifice and dedication for the country having high level of patriotic sense and responsibility. Petitioner mentioned that General Raheel Sharif has great experience of commanding military. After graduation from Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), he was commissioned in the Frontier Force Regiment in which his elder brother was also commissioned. As a young officer, he performed his duties in Gilgit in an infantry brigade and also served as adjutant of PMA. He also commanded the 11th Infantry Division in Lahore. As a brigadier, he commanded two infantry brigades including an independent infantry brigade group. As a Lieutenant General, he served as Corps Commander for two years before taking over as Inspector General Training and Evaluation in which capacity he oversaw the training of Pakistan Army.

General Raheel Sharif has also been awarded with the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, the second highest civilian award and honour that is given to both civilians and military officers of the Pakistan armed forces. Petitioner said that he filed number of applications to the respondents before filing this writ petition but no heed was paid.

Federal government appointed General Raheel Sharif as COAS on November 27, 2013 after retirement of General (R) Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. Petitioner said that General Raheel Sharif had provided visionary leadership to the people of Pakistan as well as security forces by setting an example as a role model for others and giving new direction and hope to the nation in consonance with the constitutional frontiers of Pakistan.

He successfully initiated operation Zarb-e-Azb by countering the extremist designs of terrorist organisations with proactive and prudent approach and the same is still going on and yet to be complete.

He initiated and formulated NAP for safeguarding the frontiers of Pakistan and its geographical boundaries. Further, Pakistan Army under the leadership of General Raheel Sharif has also taken responsibility to protect China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that is vitally important for Pakistan and many negatives forces are creating hurdles in CPEC. Petitioner prayed to the court to direct the respondents to elevate General Raheel Sharif to the rank of Field Marshall in the greater national interest.