Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed on Saturday that General (retd) Raheel Sharif has been allowed to lead the 34-nation Islamic military alliance.
On January 6, the defence said the former chief of army staff had been appointed as chief of Islamic military alliance and posted in Saudi Arabia. According to him, the government was taken into confidence about the former army chief’s new role.
In 2015, Saudi Arabia had announced the formation of the coalition to combat terrorism and Pakistan was made a member of the coalition. Riyadh and its Gulf Arab neighbours have been locked in months of warfare with Iran-allied rebels in neighbouring Yemen, launching hundreds of air strikes there.
“The government has given its consent and it has been decided in principle that General (retd) Raheel will go there [Saudi Arabia] to lead the alliance],” Asif told Geo news.
“A formal process in this regard is yet to be completed,” the minister said when asked if the former army chief had requested for a No Objection Certificate (NoC).
Asif further said that the Saudi government had in writing requested Pakistan [for Gen Raheel’s services]. When asked if the former army chief had also asked the government for a permission, Asif replied, “[It was not needed after] the two countries have had an agreement.”
The minister termed it only a matter of time before the former army chief leaves for Saudi Arabia to “put a structure in place for the alliance.” There isn’t any structure [of the alliance] as yet and Gen Raheel will place a structure after arriving in the country,” Asif said.
The minister also said that a body comprising defence ministers of all member countries of the alliance, to serve as an advisory council, is expected to hold its [first] meeting in May.
