It’s an open secret that outgoing Army Chief General Raheel Sharif has been quite popular among Pakistanis – who see him as bulwark against terrorism and corruption and his resolute leadership throughout his tenure.

The day he made his intention public for not seeking extension in service drew widespread praise for setting a precedent that some of his predecessors couldn’t.

The army chief’s esteem among the public was not just circumscribed to the popular slogan #ThankyouRaheelSharif – it later appeared in form of graffiti and memes on the social media.

We take a look at some of the occasions when people made their support public for the ‘Pakistan savior’.

1- A man places a banner of Gen Raheel Sharif with Pakistan flag at rear portion of his vehicle to express his love for the army chief.

2-A man proudly pastes a poster of Gen Raheel on his car hood.

3-Pakistanis and admirers of Gen Sharif cluster around him when he was spotted during Umrah.

4-It’s not posters and graffitis alone. Public products also feature the army chief picture, corroborating his widespread popularity.

5-The army chief was the first dignitary to welcome students at Army Public School on its reopening after the deadly attack on December 16, 2014.

6-A billboard showing unflinching support for Gen Sharif in Karachi and its picture went viral on the social media.

7-A truck art painter draws sketch of the army chief, reflecting common man’s love for the top military commander.

8-Another citizen displays a banner on rear of his vehicle in ‘admiration’ for the army chief and Quaid-e-Azam.

9-When army chief inaugurated the Pakistan vs Army XI match in Peshawar by hitting Afridi for a four. The moment caught all public attention and praise.

WATCH

10-Please don’t go!

These banners cropped up in different cities recently urging him not to leave his office.