Pakistan today named Lt Gen Raheel Sharif, an infantry officer regarded as a moderate, as the new army chief to succeed hawkish Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani who retires on Friday after serving an extended tenure in the all-powerful post.
The 57-year-old Sharif, who is considered an old India hand and whose elder brother died in the 1971 war with India, was chosen by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to end several months of speculation. Lt Gen Rashad Mahmood was named the new Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff Committee.
The premier held separate meetings with Mahmood, currently Chief of General Staff, and Sharif, now the Inspector General for Training and Evaluation, here before approving their promotion to the crucial posts.
"On the advice of the Prime Minister and in pursuance of clause 3 of article of constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the President and the supreme commander of the armed forces is pleased to approve the promotion and posting of the two generals, with effect from November 28," a top official told PTI.
Both generals superceded Lt Gen Haroon Aslam, currently Chief of Logistics Staff and the senior-most general after Kayani. He is scheduled to retire in April.
The 61-year-old Kayani will hang up his boots on Friday after being at the helm of the army for six years. He was given an unprecedented three-year extension in 2010.
Lt Gen Sharif's elder brother Maj Shabbir Sharif was killed in the 1971 war with India and is a recipient of the Nishan-e-Haider, the country's highest military award.
The appointment of Sharif comes amid tensions on the border with India and Pakistan's fight with Taliban insurgents and increased violence in the country.
Pakistani analysts view Sharif, who will head the 600,000-strong army, as a moderate who sees the militant threat inside Pakistan as just as important as the strategic tussle with India.
Before his current posting as a Principal Staff Officer in General Headquarters, Sharif commanded the Gujranwala-based XXX Corps, which is responsible for the Line of Control and the international border in Punjab, between 2010 and 2012.
He is considered an old India hand and played a key role in framing Pakistan's response to the Indian Army's new doctrines, sources said.
Sources said another factor that could have influenced the premier's decision on the new army chief is that unlike other generals who were in contention, Sharif does not have "strong political views".
