Petition filed in Pakistan court seeks extension of Raheel Sharif's tenure

LAHORE: A petition was filed in the Lahore High Court today seeking a directive for the government to extend the tenure of army chief General Raheel Sharif, who is set to retire this month.

Petitioner advocate Ghazi Ilamuddin of Tahreek-i-Inqilab said the whole nation wants Raheel to continue as the head of the army.

" Pakistan has accomplished many tasks against terrorism under his leadership. Therefore, the Nawaz (Sharif) government be directed to give an extension to Gen Sharif in the larger interest of the country," he said.

The lawyer said the army chiefs in Pakistan have been given an extension in the past. The court will later fix the date for hearing the petition.

The three-year term of Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel is going to expire on November 28.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recently said the government had not discussed anything regarding an extension to Raheel or appointment of a new army chief.