Appointed in 2013 as the 15th Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif is now expected to end his tenure at the end of November. The DG ISPR General Asim Bajwa made the announcement about General Sharif’s farewell visit starting today with meet and greets with soldiers of Pakistani Army and Rangers in Lahore.
#COAS kicks off his farewell visits beginning from Lhr today.Meets,addresses,thanks huge gathering of soldiers of Army&Rangers at Garrison-1
— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) November 21, 2016
General Sharif took charge of the Pakistan Army during a tense time for Pakistan
The country had started with the newly elected Pakistan Muslim League – N government, and was coming off a severe collapse in relations with the United States after the crisis over the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011.
General Sharif’s appointment saw improving relationship with the US, after the widely lauded Zarb-e-Azb operation against militants in North Waziristan led to decreasing militant activity overall. However, the Tehrik-e-Taliban militants also carried out the attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar as a retaliation to the operation, soon after. Balochistan has seen increased insurgency over recent months and Pakistan’s relationship with India are at it’s worst since 2008, when the Mumbai Attacks and the subsequent Ajmal Kasab controversy happened.
With the announcement of General Sharif’s retirement by the end of November, Pakistanis are paying their homage to the much beloved military leader
People have been tweeting their respects all day long and social media is abuzz with analyses, homages and the ‘ThankYouRaheelSharif’ memes that have become ever so popular during the General’s tenure.
#ThankyouRaheelSharif for the super moon via Adnan Anjum Hahaha pic.twitter.com/ID1HIaqcQd
— purani meena (@PuraniMeena) November 15, 2016
People are congratulating him for completing his tenure rather successfully
https://twitter.com/vjay840/status/800707520771878912
#ArmyChief You Served Pakistan I salute you Your efforts for Naya Pakistan highly Appreciated
Thanks for Everyone
— Bilal Hameed (@Bilalh03) November 21, 2016
he has set an example from all aspects. Tough decisions, No martial-law, no extension. Indeed the most respected #ArmyChief
— Jawad Latif 🇵🇰 (@jwdlatif) November 21, 2016
Others are just very, very sad to see their beloved General Sharif retire
Koi nahi bacho, at least the man is retiring respectfully (unlike some others).
Heart broken <`3 #ArmyChief
— Bilal Khan 🇵🇰 🇺🇸 (@ItsBKhan) November 21, 2016
#ArmyChief did not get the extension. I wish he stayed a little more!
— Kiran (@KiranW_) November 21, 2016
Alvida 😢#ArmyChief #ThankYouRaheelSharif #Gujrat pic.twitter.com/6BAKgAAAgG
— Kashif (@ikashifsiddique) November 21, 2016
we will miss you #ArmyChief
— Arba (@ArbaSiddiqui) November 21, 2016
#ArmyChief
Tears came into my eyes after watching News😢😢😢😢…
Sir Gen Raheel Sharif You will be remembered forever.— ZaAinUUu (@ZainGabani) November 21, 2016
This person wants General Sharif to clone himself
ap jesa kOi nhi per ap jesy 3 sy 4 hOne cheye "D
#armychief— Imran Gill (@ImraanGill) November 21, 2016
And this guy is already missing General Sharif
i miss u army chief #ArmyChief
— saimkh (@saimkh2) November 21, 2016
This najoomi has already made his prediction
Gen Ishfaq Nadeem new #armychief ..will be announced on 22nd and take over on 28th.
— Junaid (@juneedpk) November 21, 2016
Some people were not satisfied with General Sharif’s performance
#ArmyChief u will think after retirement, that Allah give u the mist powerful post in Pak, yet u did nothing to help this nation angst crptn
— SAJID MARWAT (@sajidmarwat) November 21, 2016
He was great on many decisions but somehow I m still stock in state of mind confused to believe more talk less action #ArmyChief
— Imran (@immymalik2010) November 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/MalikLifeRider/status/800705801606270977
While this one summed up the internet’s reaction about General Sharif retiring quite perfectly
#ArmyChief now trending top in Pakistan @Twitter
— Kashif Raza (@KashifRazaa) November 21, 2016
