Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Leaders from main opposition parties have appreciated Army Chief General Raheel Sharif’s decision to sack at least six senior military officers over corruption.

A senior leader of ruling PML-N, Muhammad Zubair, also appreciated the action, but quite cautiously.

In an unprecedented action, the army chief terminated services of Lt Gen Obaid Ullah Khattak, Maj Gen Ijaz Shah, three brigadiers and one colonel.

The development comes two days after the army chief called for across-the-board accountability to uproot corruption and eliminate terrorism.

“The army is a well-organised institution … we welcome this decision. The process of accountability is must for every organisation,” Qamar Zaman Kaira, a senior leader of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) told a private TV channel.

He said the PML-N government should also take a similar action in the wake of revelations by the Panama Papers.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Vice Chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi, while welcoming the move, said the decision shows General Raheel Sharif’s sincerity and commitment to eliminate corruption from army. “He initiated action from his own institution proving that there is no holy cow in the country,” he said.

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Siraj-ul-Haq welcomed General Raheel’s decision, demanding a large-scale action against corrupt elements. “Army chief’s action is a clear message for government… I believe that corruption and Pakistan can’t go along. Corruption is a form of economic terrorism and deserves an action similar to one against terrorism,” the JI chief said, as he called upon the PML-N government to form a commission under chief justice of Pakistan to investigate Panama leaks.

Leader of Awami Muslim League (AML) Sheikh Rashid also appreciated the army chief’s move.

Commenting on the development, Privatization Commission Chairman Muhammad Zubair, appreciated the army chief, but said the opposition should not only target Prime Minister Nawaz over Panama leaks.

“There are certain corruption issues within the army as well, so this decision is commendable… But it’s regrettable that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is the only target of opposition…. I assure you that his hands are clean,” Zubair told a private TV channel.

Addressing a ceremony in Lahore, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader Chaudhry Pervez Elahi said that COAS has set a great example by starting accountability from his own institution.

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has also declared it a good gesture by army chief. Talking to media, MQM leader Farooq Sattar said that those involved in money laundering should also be held accountable.

Former president and All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) chief General (r) Pervez Musharraf also welcomed the termination of senior military officers over corruption charges.

In a statement, Musharraf said that the Pakistan Army has set a great example by launching the anti-graft drive from its own institution.

The APML chief said that the military would defeat internal and external threats.