Raheel Sharif should think before heading Islamic military alliance: Musharraf

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Former Pakistan president General (Retd) Pervez Musharraf has said former army chief General (Retd) Raheel Sharif should think before accepting Saudi Arabia's offer to lead the Islamic military alliance.

"Raheel Sharif served as the army chief of Pakistan and he should think over the issue," The Express Tribune quoted Musharraf as saying said while responding to a question during an interview with a private channel.

There have been reports that the former army chief had been offered to spearhead the Saudi-led 39-nation military coalition.

The former military ruler said that Pakistan has a large Shia population and it should not be involved in such a serious sectarian matter.

"Pakistan should think 100 times before being involved in any sectarian issue," he said.

Musharraf also denied that the new military leadership isn't extending him the same support General (retd) Sharif did.

Responding to a question whether a lack of guarantee from the new military leadership was the reason why he wasn't returning to Pakistan, the former president said, "This military is mine and I am proud of it. I served in the army for 45 years and held its command. I fought several battles, including Kargil, and the incumbent leadership was under my command. They were my students when I taught at NDA, how can they forget me.

In January this year, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that former army chief General (retd) Raheel Sharif had been appointed chief of Islamic military alliance.