Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif attended a farewell dinner given by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to honour his services – days before handing over his services.

After leading the country’s powerful institution for three years, video footage showed the outgoing army chief and commanders of the army arriving at the PM House in full military regalia.

The COAS – according to a local news channel – held a farewell meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz before the dinner. Lieutenant Generals Zubai Hayat, IqbalRamday, QamarBajwa and Lieutenant AshfaqNadeem – the four most senior commanders of the Pakistan Army were also present at the dinner.

The prime minister – while lauding the dedicated, meritorious and exemplary services of the COAS – said that it was proved beyond a shadow of doubt that Raheel Sharif was one of the finest military leaders of his generation.

“General Raheel belongs to a family which is second to none when it comes to gallantry and heroism. They have a tradition of serving the nation and laying down their lives in the line of duty,” Nawaz said.

“The shahadat and award of Nishan-i-Haider to Major Aziz BhattiShaheed and Major ShabbirShareefShaheed is itself a unique honour of his family,” the prime minister added.

Members of the federal cabinet, services chiefs and senior civil and military officers were also present in the dinner – where the prime minister said that the army chief’s unconditional dedication and commitment to Pakistan had also been evident by his three-year outstanding military leadership.

“His services as Corps Commander Gujranwala and Inspector General for Training and Evaluation in the Pakistan Army prepared him well for responsibilities as the Chief of Army Staff,” Nawaz said while appreciating the army chief’s abilities.

– ‘Operation Zarb-e-Azab’ –

Nawaz said that it was under the said general’s leadership that the country’s armed forces confronted, not only the external threats faced by Pakistan but also the menace of terrorism. “We successfully established the writ of the state and reclaimed every inch of territory under our sovereign control,” the prime minister said.

He said that the country’s armed forces could surely take pride in the flawless execution of the operation Zarb-e-Azb which was internationally recognised as the most comprehensive, robust and successful anti-terrorism operation – ever conducted.

According to Nawaz, the anti-terrorism operation made the entire world aware of Pakistan’s unflinching resolve and commitment to root out terrorism as accomplished ‘what countries with far more resources have not been able to achieve in much longer periods’.

The premier further applauded the COAS by saying that they worked together and addressed a number of security challenges which resulted in a much safer and stronger Pakistan than 2013.

“May Allah bless you and your family with lasting happiness and prosperity as we wish you success in all your future endeavours,”Nawaz concluded.