Mon Jan 25, 2016 5:05am ESTPakistan’s powerful army chief says to step down when term endsISLAMABAD | BY KAY JOHNSON
Pakistani Army Chief of Staff General Raheel Sharif leaves after attending the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad March 23, 2015.
REUTERS/FAISAL MAHMOOD/FILES
Pakistan’s influential army chief on Monday said he would step down at the end of his three-year term in November, the military’s public relations wing said, breaking a precedent of military leaders seeking to extend their terms.
General Raheel Sharif is considered by many to be Pakistan’s most powerful man.
Since he took office in 2013, the army has launched aerial and ground assaults against Islamist insurgent strongholds near the Afghan border in the northwest, earning the military broad support from a Pakistani population tired of militant violence.
Critics say the crackdown has been selective, going after some militant groups, but leaving others intact.
Elements of Pakistan’s army have in the past been accused of tacitly supporting Islamist armed groups that launch attacks in Afghanistan and India as a way to pressure both neighbours.
The general has thrown his support behind elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during anti-government protests, while at the same time solidifying the military’s hold over national security and foreign policy.
General Sharif has also presided over a security crackdown in Karachi, the country’s largest city, which has sharply reduced murder rates but drawn protests from opposition politicians who say their activists have been targeted.
Under his watch, the military has been given authority to try civilians suspected of terrorism in secret military courts.
General Sharif is said to have been personally involved in efforts to bring the Afghan Taliban into peace talks with Afghanistan, though those efforts have stalled.
Speculation that General Sharif would seek to extend his tenure for another term was baseless, the army’s public relations wing said in a series of tweets issued on Monday.
“The Pakistan Army is a great institution. I don’t believe in extension,” he was quoted as saying.
General Sharif’s decision would represent a win for democratic institutions, but raises questions on the future of campaigns against militants. No obvious candidate to succeed him has yet emerged.
General Sharif pledged that efforts to combat terrorism “will continue with full vigor and resolve” after he retired, the army tweets said.
Pakistan’s past two military chiefs had sought extensions of their terms instead of stepping down, with General Pervez Musharraf staging a coup to topple Nawaz Sharif during a previous term as prime minister.
(Additional reporting by Asad Hashim; Writing by Kay Johnson; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
A very very very early announcement. But it had to be done because there are lot of active groups in Pakistan and outside who were hellbent on making him controversial and make it seem like he has personal stake in the operation. So hopefully with this announcement the anti Raheel Sharif lobby will take a rest and stop feeling threatened by his popularity. The Chief has earned the respect and appreciation he receives from his own people, there is no reason to feel jealous and bitter about it.
Now that Army has effectively neutralised its opponents and critics by this extremely early announcement, I hope Zarb e Azb picks up the pace. The next few months of Raheel Sharif's tenure are really important. All the very best to him.
Wait and see when Ganja Sharif will extend his tenure by saying ‘qaum ke azim tar mafad kikhaatir’. But unseen bamboo behind his butt will issue such statement
Those who seek extension are too meek to bring Martial law. Ganja Choor of Pakistan should be worried, as those who do not care for extension, they could bring Martial law too.
he'll retire honorably and then join PTI...that's the way to go...he'll then clean up the political mess Pakistan is facing. that's at least a logical outcome of his extra-ordinary service to Pakistan. :)
he'll retire honorably and then join PTI...that's the way to go...he'll then clean up the political mess Pakistan is facing. that's at least a logical outcome of his extra-ordinary service to Pakistan. :)
I support this decision! System needs to run and now the system is running. There is no need to put people above system. If one good thorough soldier can come from top brass of army so as more. Hoping Nawaz Sharif makes another sane choice come November. A true soldier will never get in to messy politics. These are good signs for Pakistan.
The retirement of Gen Zaheer and 4 / 5 other Core commanders from Mush area that instigated Dharan appears to have bring the naked political ambition of army to an end. It will be a great omen for Pakistan if Army indeed has decided to not meddle with Politics, at least not directly.
I support this decision! System needs to run and now the system is running. There is no need to put people above system. If one good thorough soldier can come from top brass of army so as more. Hoping Nawaz Sharif makes another sane choice come November. A true soldier will never get in to messy politics. These are good signs for Pakistan.
Exactly! Give a couple of decades to this country where elections are held on-time, assemblies complete their tenure alongwith the respective President/PM/COAS keep getting replaced at their time and you'll see a much prospective and progressive Pakistan.
Absolutely! In this day and age people are demanding and information is spreading faster. I think even a decade will make a huge difference. We have already seen the changes that come when a system is running. Although not many people like Gen Kayani but between kyani and Sharif, they have together at least started a shift in military policy of direct intervention. Good things and for this I have no issue saying Thank you Raheel Sharif.
This Shouldn't be a news to start with...but for hawaldar media this the saddest moment of the year so far and now they would be making new COAS of their liking and argue in his favor and shall try to make mind of people and that particular general...if govt didn't make the same person COAS hell will break loose...
This is the sorry state of the media and so-called analysts and anchors...
Raheel Sharif was one man show.. in a very good way.
Once he left you might get another kiayani.
Pakistan did not develop recently, RH made people do good things while he was here.
I can understand why every thinking his leaving is going to put positive impact.
Impact on what??? Pakistan is ready not for impact... Politicans are very much in control.
Its like we pakistanis had one meal in some high class restaurant , now we stated thinking this is going to our every day.
NOOO.
