Former army chief General Raheel Sharif in his farewell address at the change-of-command ceremony on Tuesday said that he was thankful to God Almighty to have been given the opportunity to command the world’s best army.
He also thanked the Armed Forces and the Pakistani nation for their resolve and support during every step of his journey.
He said he always prioritised national interest in every decision he made during his tenure as army chief.
“I am absolutely certain the Pakistan Army will always fulfill the nation’s expectations,” he said.
Lauding the efforts of the Armed Forces in the war against terror, Raheel Sharif said the war has been successful and its results are evident today. However, the security situation in the region remains complicated, he added.
“It is the need of the hour that the entire nation unites to counter the challenges Pakistan faces,” the outgoing army chief said.
Raheel Sharif warned India not to mistake Pakistan’s patience for weakness, otherwise it would prove dangerous.
Raheel said the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a great example of budding peace and prosperity in the region.
“The first CPEC shipment at Gwadar Port has proven that the country’s journey to progress cannot be stopped now,” he said, adding that the enemies of CPEC should stop bashing the project and start benefiting from it.
Gen Raheel Sharif said he believes in strong institutions and called for all the institutions to work together for peace and prosperity of the country.