Pakistan’s army chief Gen Raheel Sharif, the next Field Marshal?

Pakistan’s army chief Gen Raheel Sharif, the next Field Marshal?

Asia-Pacific, News 11 Comments on Pakistan’s army chief Gen Raheel Sharif, the next Field Marshal?

IRIA sources confirm that different circles in Pakistan are holding in-house discussions on an idea to explore the possibility to promote Pakistan armed forces Chief of Staff General Raheel Sharif as a Field Marshal, or a five-star general.

The idea is being under discussion not only within government circle but also by intellectuals and senior journalists.

At a gathering of senior intellectuals, retired bureaucrats and religious figures in Islamabad on April 25, 2015 a senior journalist, Editor-in-Chief of Pakistan Observer Mr. Zahid Malik proposed “as General Raheel Sharif has emerged as a decisive stabilizing factor in Pakistan, therefore, he deserves to be promoted to the rank of Field Marshal”.

The proposal was warmly welcomed by leading Major General (R) Jamshed Ayaz Khan, security expert and writer Major (R) Ikram Sehgal and businessmen including Mian Mehmood, President of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia Joint Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif meeting a Chinese soldier during his visit to Pak-China special forces joint training exercise at Headquaters SSG near Cherat, Pakistan.

Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif meeting a Chinese soldier during his visit to Pak-China special forces joint training exercise at Headquaters SSG near Cherat, Pakistan.

Sources close to official Government circle privately confirm reports that the idea had little or no opposition in Pakistan particularly in the backdrop of General Raheel Sharif’s refusal to destabilize democracy in Pakistan when “Long March” almost undermined the authority of political government.

Another important reason to justify decoration of Field Marshal to General Raheel Sharif is his lead role in war against terrorism which posed existential threats to Pakistan during 2009-2015.

General Raheel Sharif has successfully commanded Operation “Zarb-e-Azb” and made courageous move to evicted most of the terrorists from North Waziristan.

General Raheel Sharif is also regarded as a game changer with his military and diplomatic approach to turn tension into cooperation. This change was evident vis-a-vis Afghanistan as soon as General Raheel Sharif took office of COAS.

Political sources say that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is now comfortable with General Raheel Sharif and is keen to see a “joint move” on key geo-strategic issues so as to bridge the gap between civilian and military approaches.

Gen-Raheel-Sharif

Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif was presented the Guard of Honor on his arrival to London. He was accompanied by British Chief of Defence Staff Nocholas Houghton.

Sources in Pakistan are also arguing that General Raheel Sharif’s contribution to secure the nation from terrorism, neutralization of threats to democracy and reforming game-changer approaches with China, the United States, Russia and Afghanistan are enough reasons to see him as next Field Marshal in Pakistan after a gap of fifty years when the then General Ayub Khan was decorated as Field Marshal in 1965.

Idea promoters reason that Sri Lankan Chief of Defence Staff, Sarath Fonseka was recently promoted to the rank of Field Marshal for his contribution against terrorism while General Raheel Sharif has many features to his success list.

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11 Comments

  1. Riaz Ahmed September 7, 2015 at 5:03 am

    After F M Muhammad Ayub Khan General Raheel Sharif fulfills all the pre requisites for a Field Marshall he is commanding much bigger forces than F M Ayub khan has won a much bigger difficult and tough War ☆Zarbe Azab. The nation is with him ,The entire Nation must support this proposal.

  2. Zubair Khan September 20, 2015 at 8:50 pm

    General Raheel Shareef deserve to be a Field Marsalle,he played a major roll for peace and stability of his country as well as for the world.

  3. The False Savior of Pakistan | manangul December 19, 2015 at 6:04 am

    […] interest at the core of his ideology and mission. People are now calling for him to be promoted to field marshal, the highest military rank which has only been held by Ayub Khan, the second president of […]

  4. Malik Waheed January 26, 2016 at 12:46 am

    I strongly recommend and wish from my heart that respected COAS Gen. Raheel Shareef be promoted to the highest rank in the Army i-e Field Marshal. This will also respect the soul of his brother Shabeer Shareef,Shaheed (Nishan-e-haider). This is also vital to make him more powerful to combat the terrorism in Pakistan. I know that General has categorically said that he will not be looking for extension so promote him.
    Long live Pakistan
    Long live Raheel Shareef
    Malik Waheed
    An Ahmadi Muslim ( Canada )

  5. Major (Retd) Sohail Bangash. February 28, 2016 at 10:59 am

    We surely support the promotion of COAS Gen Raheel Shareef to the position of Field Marshal… He is the most suitable & deserves case.

  6. Saleem March 4, 2016 at 4:04 am

    General deserve this rank. He is a man of vision.He is from (SHAHEED) blood family.Blood matters. He is survivor of this country. He is the only hope left.He has no vested interest like other Generals and politicians except to sacrifice for Pakistan. We should not allow him to leave us in present circumstances otherwise we will be ruined. Let us jointly pray for his life and start a move for his stay to lead this nation.
    GOD ALLAH MIGHTY HELP THE GENERAL AND KEEP THIS PERSON UNDER YOUR SHADOW. AAMEEN ALLAH HUMA AAMEEN.

  7. UZMA KHALIL April 16, 2016 at 6:40 am

    YEA, Gen. Raheel Sharif should be awarded this Award “Field Marshal ” . HE absolutely deserve for these FIVE STARs.

    • Zakir Khan August 24, 2016 at 12:37 pm

      I want to say a few words about the present chief of army staff Raheel sharif. I agree with the people of Pakistan that our COAS is a real patriot but I request to the people of Pakistan to please remember him that he has the authority, he can do every thing, so please for the sake of Almighty ALLAH stop the kidnapping of children. I know and every one know that all the [Pakistani] politicians are the kidnappers. Arrest all the politician and do not torture the people any more.

  8. Zakir Khan August 24, 2016 at 12:46 pm

    Some people will hate my hero but I salute to the courage of Pervez Musharraf. I think he is the real hero of Pakistan because in his era, many gangsters were killed by our soldiers and there was justice for the poor people.

  9. abdullah September 27, 2016 at 6:18 pm

    I m not sure who called a field marshal but I heard from someone else who said field marshal a who currently chief of army and also fight against enemies by himself but if I wrong please give me correct answer if any who knowns about this

  10. izaz Ahamd January 8, 2017 at 4:26 am

    He did well specially saving democracy and changed the behavior of milletry enchrochment in civilian govt so he shoud be awarded

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