Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Paying rich tribute to the officers and men of the armed forces for their supreme sacrifices while defending the motherland, Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Friday made it clear that any misadventure by our adversary would meet the most befitting response.

The COAS addressed officers and men of 10 Corps at Chaklala Garrison and Multan and Bahawalpur Corps at Okara Garrison during his farewell visits. At Chaklala Garrison, the army chief was received by the Corps Commander Lieutenant General Malik Zafar Iqbal.

Addressing the troops, the COAS paid rich tribute to the supreme sacrifices of officers, saying that they defended the motherland with valour and extreme commitment, read a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations.

Later, General Raheel Sharif addressed officers and men at Okara Garrison, where he appreciated them for their professionalism and dedication while maintaining an effective vigil along the international border in harsh desert environment. He lauded them for achieving highest training standards and reaching out to people for help in case of calamities/disasters.

The COAS inaugurated a state-of-the-art school for special children for both civil and military families in the region and spent time with children and staff of the school. US Ambassador to Pakistan David Hale also called on General Raheel during the day and appreciated the gains of the Pakistan Army in the war against terrorism.

Before his departure to Okara, the COAS said that he had made the decision regarding his retirement in “national interest”. “After retirement, I will devote my time for serving the family members of martyrs,” he said this while talking to reporters.