Says he took retirement decision in national interest; always available for service to country; visits Chaklala, Okara, Bahawalpur garrisons; attends farewell reception given by president; US envoy calls on COAS
ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Friday said that initiatives taken by the Pakistan Army during his stint as the army chief would continue without any fail. He said that he had taken the decision of retirement in the larger national interest.
“After retirement, I will devote my time to serve the families of martyrs,” the army chief said this on Friday while talking to the media before his departure for Okara.
“I am here to serve the nation. I will continue to serve the nation with high spirit. It is my faith that Pakistani nation is fully committed to eliminating terrorism. Therefore, the nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces in ongoing war on terror. I fully believe that terrorism will be eliminated from our soil,” he underlined.
According to another report, in his farewell visits, COAS Gen Raheel Sharif addressed officers and Jawans of the 10 Corps at the Chaklala Garrison on Friday.
He paid tributes to the supreme sacrifices of officers and men of the Pakistan Army while defending the motherland with valour and extreme commitment.According to the ISPR, the COAS was received by Corps Commander Lt-Gen Malik Zafar Iqbal.As part of his farewell visits, Gen Raheel Sharif addressed officers and Jawans of Multan and Bahawalpur Corps at the Okara Garrison.
He appreciated them for their professionalism and dedication in maintaining an
border in harsh desert environment achieving the highest training standards and reaching out to people for help in calamities and disasters, an ISPR press release said.
The COAS inaugurated a state-of-the art special children school both for civil and military families in the region and spent time with children and staff of the school. Earlier on arrival at Okara, the COAS was received by Multan Corps Commander Lt-Gen Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmad and Bahawalpur Corps Commander Lt-Gen Javed Iqbal.
Earlier, President Mamnoon Hussain said that Pakistan Army under the leadership of General Raheel Sharif in coordination with all the state institutions courageously confronted the internal and external challenges being faced by the country during the last three years.
The president expressed these views while speaking at a farewell dinner he hosted for Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif here at the Aiwan-e-Sadr. The dinner was attended among others by services chiefs, federal ministers and parliamentarians.
The president congratulated General Raheel Sharif on the successful completion of his tenure as Chief of the Army Staff with honor and dignity.
He also appreciated Gen Raheel Sharif for his leading role in the fight against terrorism and extremism through an effective strategy under the National Action Plan. The president said that Gen Raheel Sharif during his term as COAS served the country as a true professional soldier and set an excellent tradition of moving ahead in mutual harmony with all the state institutions.
“As bravery, professionalism and best discipline are the hallmark of Pakistan’s armed forces, General Raheel Sharif further strengthened this identity of the armed forces during his term in service,” he added.
The president appreciated the valour with which the internal and external challenges were tackled during the last three years. He said that unity and harmony among all the state institutions was a must for the betterment of country and masses adding the welfare of masses should be the focal point in state affairs.
The president wished General Raheel Sharif success in his future endeavours and prayed for his as well as his family’s health, happiness and prosperity. Earlier the President and the Chief of Army Staff had a farewell meeting during which General Raheel Sharif thanked the president for his guidance and cooperation during his tenure as COAS.
Meanwhile, US Ambassador David Hale called on Gen Raheel Sharif. According to ISPR, the US ambassador appreciated the gains of Pakistan Army in war on terror under the command of Gen Raheel Sharif.
