News
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Nawaz appoints new commanders
* Gen Raheel Sharif to take charge as COAS, Gen Rashad Mahmood as CJCSC tomorrow* New army chief is younger brother of Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed and is close relative of Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed
By Farooq Awan
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif put rumour mills to rest on Wednesday as he appointed Lieutenant-General Raheel Sharif as Chief of Army Staff and Lieutenant-General Rashad Mahmood as Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee.
“On the advice of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and in pursuance of Article 243/4(a) and 243/4(b) of the Constitution of Pakistan, President of Pakistan and Supreme Commander of Armed Forces Mamnoon Hussain has been pleased to promote and appoint General Rashad Mahmood as Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and General Raheel Sharif as Chief of Army Staff,” a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s House said.
Both the newly promoted four-star generals will take charge on Friday, the day Gen Ashfaq Kiyani retires.
Senior-most military officer Lt-Gen Haroon Aslam, Chief of Logistic Staff, was superseded as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif used his prerogative for appointment on both key posts. Newly appointed CJCSC Gen Rashad Mahmood was second in line in terms of seniority while COAS Gen Sharif occupied third position.
Both senior military officials held separate meetings with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the Prime Minister’s House earlier in the day where the prime minister informed them about their new responsibilities.
The role of army chief is very crucial at a time when government is pursuing peace process with Taliban to end years of violence that has spread to settled areas from the tribal region of the country. The decision by prime minister to choose new commander of the army from the ‘family of martyrs’ is being termed very meaningful at a time when army is playing on the front in country’s fight against terrorism.
Chief of Army Staff: The 15th Chief of Army Staff, Gen Raheel Sharif, was born on June 16, 1956 to the military family of Major Muhammad Sharif. Gen Sharif is the younger brother of Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed, the recipient of Pakistan’s highest military award Nishan-e-Haider for valour in 1971 war with India, and is also a close relative of another war hero, Major Aziz Bhatti Shaheed, also a recipient of Nishan-e-Haider.
An alumnus of Government College Lahore, Gen Sharif was commissioned in the 6th Battalion, Frontier Force Regiment, after graduating from the Pakistan Military Academy in 1976.
As a young officer, Gen Sharif performed duties in an Infantry Brigade in Gilgit. He also served as Adjutant of Pakistan Military Academy. He did Company Commander Course from Germany and served at School of Infantry and Tactics as instructor. He graduated from the Command and Staff College Canada with distinction.
Gen Sharif carriers with him a vast experience of command, staff and instructional appointments. He served as Brigade Major of an infantry brigade and has commanded 6 Frontier Force Regiment along the Line of Control and 26 Frontier Force Regiment along the Sialkot border. He served as faculty member at the Command and Staff College, Quetta, and attended Armed Forces War Course at National Defence University, Islamabad, in 1998.
As brigadier, he has commanded two Infantry Brigades. He carries the honour of being Chief of Staff of two corps, 30 Corps and 12 Corps. He is also a graduate of the prestigious Royal College of Defence Studies, UK.
Gen Sharif has also served as General Officer Commanding of an Infantry Division and Commandant of the Pakistan Military Academy. As Lieutenant-General, he served as Commander of 30 Corps for two years before taking over as Inspector General Training and Evaluation.
Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee: General Rashad Mahmood was commissioned in May 1975 in the Baloch Regiment. He attended Company Commander Course in France and is a graduate of the Command and Staff College, Canada, as well as National Defence College, Islamabad.
The major appointments of Gen Rashad include: Platoon Commander Pakistan Military Academy, Brigade Major Infantry Brigade, Instructor Command and Staff College and National Defence College. He has remained Chief of Staff of Bahawalpur Corps and Military Secretary to President Rafiq Tarar. He has commanded two Infantry Battalions, two Infantry Brigades, Infantry Division at Jhelum and a United Nations contingent in Congo. He has also served as DG-C at the ISI in Islamabad and Corps Commander Lahore. His latest appointment was Chief of General Staff.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk