Musharraf for Army Chief's extension, says PM Sharif never had good relations with military chiefs

Former Pakistan military dictator General (Retd.) Pervez Musharraf has claimed that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has never had good relations with any of the military chiefs and maintained that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif should be given an extension.

"Nawaz Sharif did not have good working relationship with anyone from the military leadership including Gen Abdul Waheed Kakar, Asif Nawaz, Jahangir Karamat and now Raheel Sharif," the Dawn quoted Musharraf as saying.

"General Raheel Sharif should be given extension and he [Raheel] should accept it," he added.

General Sharif, currently serving as the 15th Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army, is set to retire in November this year. He has announced not to seek an extension in his tenure.

Previously, banners calling for General Sharif to continue as the Chief of Army Staff popped up in cities across the country. Later, banners appeared in Rawalpindi urging him to contest the 2018 general election.

Last month, the Islamabad High Court had dismissed a petition to elevate General Sharif to the rank of Field Marshal by taking into consideration his exemplary services and sacrifices rendered for the nation and for successful completion of the Zarb-e-Azab military operation in an effective and efficient manner.