Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif remained the centre of attention during a joint parliamentary session on Thursday.

Interestingly, Mehmood Khan Achakzai, notorious for his anti-army tirade, was also seen in the queue to shake hands with the top general. Achakzai discussed some issues with the COAS but apparently the general did not shake hands with Achakzai.

Lawmakers congratulated the top general on the success of Operation Zarb-e-Azb. They also discussed the Line of Control situation with General Raheel and pay homage to the martyrs of Pakistan Army. The general told them that the army had killed dozens of Indian soldiers in retaliation, sources told Daily Times.

Women lawmakers from the ruling PML-N also met the army chief. They also praised the top general for playing a pivotal role in flushing out terrorists from the country.

After the session, the army chief was surrounded by a large number of parliament staff, media personnel. On this his security staff guided General Raheel to the deputy speaker’s chamber. He was also accompanied by service chiefs and chairman joint chiefs of staff committee.

On the occasion, the army chief was also urged not to retire, but he did not reply to them. Some media representatives also tried to talk to him but the COAS said he would not talk to media today.

MQM Senator Rasheed Godail also met General Raheel in the lobby. The top general inquired about his health and left the Parliament House.