Mamnoon hosts farewell for COAS

Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Friday reached the Presidency to attend a farewell reception hosted by President Mamnoon Hussain.

Speaking on the occasion, President Mamnoon Hussain commended outgoing Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif for leading the fight against terrorism and playing a major role in bringing peace to the country. “Operation Zarb-i-Azb against terrorism carried out under the leadership of Army Chief General Raheel Sharif is a golden chapter in the history of Pakistan,” said Mamnoon.

The president said that the intelligence-based operations in Karachi, Balochistan and other parts of the country have also been effective in restoring peace. Giving example of the services rendered by the army chief, the president said the COAS had set the traditions for other servicemen to follow.

Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Naval Chief Admiral Zaka Ullah, Prime Minister’s Advisor on National Security Nasir Janjua and federal ministers Ishaq Dar, Abdul Qadir Baloch and Rana Tanvir among others also attending the reception.

While talking to media before his departure to Okara here on Friday, Gen Raheel said that he had taken the decision of retirement in the national interest. ‘After retirement I will devote my time for serving the family members of martyrs’, he said.

“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 weed out terrorism. Therefore, the nation stands shoulder to shoulder with armed forces in ongoing war against terrorism. I fully believe that terrorism will be fully eliminated from our soil”, he underlined.

During one of his farewell visits, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif addressed officers of Multan and Bahawalpur Corps at Okara Garrison on Friday, the ISPR said.

The COAS appreciated the officers over their professionalism and dedication in maintaining an effective vigil along the international border in harsh desert environment, the ISPR said.

According to the ISPR, Gen Raheel lauded them for achieving highest training standards and reaching out to people for help in case of calamities and disasters.

Upon his visit, the Army chief inaugurated a state-of-the-art special children school both for civil and military families in the region. He also spent some time with children and staff of the school.

Earlier on arrival at Okara, the COAS was received by Lt-Gen Ishfaq Nadeem Ahmad, Commander, Multan Corps and Lt-Gen Javed Iqbal, Commander, Bahawalpur Corps.

Later, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif made a farewell visit to 10 Corps Chaklala. Rawalpindi Corps Commander Lt-Gen Malik Zafar Iqbal welcomed the Army chief. The Army chief met the officers and jawans of Pak Army there. He said the Pakistan Army has made exemplary sacrifices for peace and stability of the country.