Pak can’t recall Gen Sharif from Riyadh, says Aziz

Pakistan cannot recall former army chief Gen Raheel Sharif from Riyadh as he has taken the command of the 41-nation Saudi-led military alliance against the Islamic State in his “personal capacity”, the country’s top diplomat said on Wednesday. Sartaj Aziz, Pakistan prime minister’s adviser on foreign affairs, said Gen Sharif was not sent by the government to lead the alliance and therefore cannot be asked to return. News reports previously said the 61-year-old was granted approval by the government to serve with the alliance for three years.