“I don’t believe in extension, will retire on the due date,” says army chief

According to Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj General Asim Bajwa, the COAS said speculations about extension in service are basless.

Read more: Gen Raheel Sharif voted Person of the Year

In his series of tweets, Gen Bajwa cited the army chief as saying that Pakistan’s national interest is supreme “and will be safe guarded at all costs.”

Speculations about extension in service of COAS are baseless.COAS said;”Pakistan Army is a great institution.I dont believe in extension-1/3

— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 25, 2016

and will retire on the due date.Efforts to route out terrorism will continue with full vigor and resolve-2/3 — AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 25, 2016

Pakistan’s national interest is supreme and will be safe guarded at all costs.”-3/3

— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 25, 2016

General Sharif was appointed for three years on 27 Nov. 2013, replacing General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani who was given the three-year extension by the then government of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

Earlier this month, senior leader PPP Aitzaz Ahsan had said the PPP doesn’t support extension in tenure of Army Chief General Raheel Sharif.

“The chief of army staff must complete his term and retire from the post,” said Ahsan.

He further added: “It seems that the prime minister will not be able to complete his term for his own mistakes”.