Defence Minister Khawaja Asif informed the Upper house, Senate, that former Army chief retired General Raheel Sharif did not seek no-objection certificate (NOC) from the government prior to accepting a position as chief of the 39-nation Islamic military alliance.
The minister was providing an explanation to the Senate on media reports that said the former general has been appointed as commander-in-chief of an Arab coalition force led by Saudi Arabia.
Khawaja Asif clarified that the government was as yet unaware of any development regarding Raheel Sharif’s appointment as head of the coalition.
Asif explained that under the rules, a retired army officer would have to seek an NOC from the Ministry of Defence before embarking on any new assignment outside the country.
“The rules laid down by the Ministry of Defence for post-retirement assignments of army officers will be applicable equally to Raheel Sharif,” Asif said.
Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani asked the minister whether Raheel Sharif had informed Pakistan Army in this regard.
“No, he has not informed the Army,” the minister replied.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz informed the house that he will not speak on the issue as no formal offer had been made by Saudi Arabia in this regard.
Senator Farhatullah Babar intervened in the debate and said that any possible move by the retired Pakistani general to head a Saudi-led army will be detrimental to a resolution passed by Parliament last year advising Pakistan not to become part of the Middle East conflict.
