Born in Quetta on June 16, 1956 to Major and Mrs. Muhammad Sharif, newly-appointed army chief Gen.Raheel Sharif grew up steeped in the military tradition.
Sharif's elder brother, Shabbir Sharif, was a course-mate of General (retired) Pervez Musharraf, and was killed during the 1971 war with India. He was awarded the Nishan-i-Haider, Pakistan's highest military award.
Gen Sharif attained his formal education at Government College Lahore and later went on to attend the Pakistan Military Academy.
After graduation, he was commissioned in 1976 in the battle hardened and renowned 6th battalion The Frontier Force Regiment in which his elder brother was also commissioned.
As a young officer, he performed his duties in Gilgit in an infantry brigade and also served as adjutant of Pakistan Military Academy.
Over the years, Sharif climbed up the military ladder mentored by Musharraf who handed him command of the 11th Infantry Division in Lahore.
Despite the common surname, Raheel Sharif is not related to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, but is known to be close to tribal affairs minister Lt.Gen. Abdul Qadir Baloch, a key confidante of the Sharif family.
As a brigadier, he has commanded two infantry brigades including an independent infantry brigade group.
He has been the General Of?cer Commanding of an infantry division and the Commandant of the prestigious Pakistan Military Academy.
As a Lt.Gen., Sharif served as Corps Commander for two years before taking over as Inspector General Training and Evaluation in which capacity he oversaw the training of Pakistan Army, the Dawn reports.
He was also awarded the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, the second highest civilian award and honour that is given to both civilians and military officers of the Pakistan armed forces.
He will assume charge as army chief on November 29. The general is married with two sons and a daughter.
