General Raheel takes charge as Army Chief

RAWALPINDI: General Raheel Sharif officially took charge as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) in a Change of Command Ceremony at the Army Hockey Stadium near the General Headquarters (GHQ) here on Friday, ARY News reports.

General Raheel was appointed as the Army Chief by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif earlier this week.

The outgoing COAS General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani was given a farewell guard of honour for his services. General Kayani laid a floral wreath in the memory of the Pakistan Army martyrs.

In his speech, Kayani said that he always had work hard, honesty and sincerity as his motto. He added that he always tried to maintain the dignity of the country and its military through his decisions.

Speaking about terrorism in the country, former Army Chief said that the country faced irreversible losses in the fight against terrorism. He said that the names of the martyrs will be written with golden words.

“I pay salute to the people who laid down their lives for the country”, the retired Army Chief stated.

He also paid homage to the women and children who lost their lives during the challenging period faced by the state.

The former General expressed his optimism that the military would excel under the new leadership. He added that his dreams can only come true after seeing Pakistan as a strong and prosperous country.

Kayani handed over the command baton to General Raheel Sharif during the ceremony.

The ceremony was also attended by top military leadership, media officials, politicians and members of the civil society.