Not seeking extension, says Pakistan Army chief

The Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif has rebuffed speculations about extension in his service, saying that he will retire on due date. He is due to retire in November this year.

“Pakistan’s national interest is supreme and will be safeguarded at all costs”, Sharif added.

The military’s apparent dominating role in domestic and foreign affairs led to speculation in local media that Sharif might be seeking an extension in his tenure to carry forward the counterterrorism campaign and would want Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to extend his tenure.

Kayani stepped down in November 2013 after serving six years at the top slot.

The General has pledged that efforts to combat terrorism “will continue with full vigour and resolve” after he retires, a tweet by the Asim Bajwa said. “This decision has enhanced his respect and will prosper army’s image”, said senior Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, while speaking to Samaa.

Former army chief General Pervez Musharraf also backed the proposal of extension in tenure of COAS Raheel Sharif calling him ‘a great general who could change the days of Pakistan’.

Under Sharif the Pakistani military launched an offensive in the tribal areas in June 2014, where militants had previously operated with impunity.