Raheel Sharif: New face of the Pakistan's army

Who?

Gen Raheel Sharif, who will formally take command today, was working as the Principal Staff Officer to General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani as well as the Inspector General Training and Evaluation. Raheel’s selection as Army chief implies that the frontrunner and the senior-most military officer Lt Gen Haroon Aslam, currently serving as Chief of Logistic Staff, was ignored for the elevation. The post of Army chief is the most powerful in Pakistan.

Why?

Seniority-wise he is ranked third among the list of generals considered as likely to get the position. A career infantry officer, Raheel is considered a moderate. PM Nawaz Sharif was once bitten twice shy after Pervez Musharraf, chosen by him as the Army chief, removed him in a coup in 1999. The new army chief is not related to the prime minister. His most important contribution has been his role in reshaping the country’s strategic policy, which put challenge from internal terrorism at par with India.

Background

He comes from a family of Army men. He holds the Hilal-i-Imtiaz military award, and is the younger brother of Major Shabbir Sharif, who received the Nishan-i-Haider in the 1971 war and was killed in the battle. Their father was also in Army. Raheel is known for his close association with his men in the Army. His brother was close to Pervez Musharraf. Sharif received his military commission in 1976 and studied military leadership in Germany, Canada and Britain.

Key Positions Held

- He commanded several infantry units, including the Sixth Frontier Force Regiment along the Line of Control in Kashmir.

- Commander, Gujranwala XXX Corps (as three-star/Lt General).

- Commandant of Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul (as two-star/Maj General).

- General Officer Commanding, Lahore (as two-star/Maj General).