U-turn on Raheel’s Saudi alliance role

Islamabad, Jan. 11: In a U-turn, Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday said that former army chief Gen (retd) Raheel Sharif did not seek government’s permission before joining the Saudi-led 39nation military alliance.

“Gen (retd) Raheel Sharif did not submit any application for a no objection certificate (NOC). There’s nothing in our notice,” the defence minister said in response to Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani’s query.

Mr Asif said the former army chief had returned to Pakistan after performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia and if he applies for the NOC, then it will be decided according to law, the Express Tribune reported.

Senate chairman Rabbani on Monday asked Mr Asif to brief the House whether Gen. Raheel had sought permission from the government or taken it into confidence over his decision to head the Saudi-led military alliance to combat terrorism.

Mr Rabbani had also asked the ministry of foreign affairs to clarify what would be the implications of the decision in terms of foreign policy and its effect on a decision, taken at the joint sitting of parliament, not to become part of any such alliance.

Earlier, the defence minister had said that the former army chief had been appointed the commander of the Saudi-led military coalition. He had gone on to say that the government was taken into confidence about the former army chiefs new role. —

Gen. Raheel Sharif

Last Friday, Pakistan defence minister had confirmed that retired army chief Raheel Sharif had been appointed to lead a new Saudi-military alliance