Any future role for Pakistan army chief General Raheel Sharif is entirely up to the civilian government, US Senator John McCain said today amid reports in the Pakistani media that he had called for the extension of Sharif's tenure.
"I hope Gen Raheel continues to serve the people of Pakistan. Any future role for General Raheel is entirely up to the civilian government of Pakistan," Senator John McCain, Chairman of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee, told PTI.
He was responding to questions on reports in the Pakistani media that he had called for extension of Gen Sharif's tenure.
The Pakistani army chief was appointed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as the 15th Chief of Army Staff on November 27, 2013 for a three-year term.
In the past few months speculation has been rife about his possible extension.
However, Gen Sharif in January had publicly said he will retire on the due date and does not believe in extension.
McCain, who has just returned from Pakistan, has been reported in the media calling for Gen Sharif's extension.
During his trip to Pakistan, McCain met Gen Sharif to discuss regional security and described the overnight meeting as "good".
"Good delegation meeting with Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan Gen Raheel Sharif and discussing regional security challenges," McCain had tweeted after the meeting.
McCain was leading a four-member bipartisan Congressional delegation to Pakistan.
He visited the restive North Waziristan tribal region, where army has launched a campaign in 2014 to flush out militants, and also called on the Adviser to Pakistan Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz during his stay.
His visit had come at a delicate time when relations between the two countries were at a new low after US Congress in May blocked the sale of eight F-16 fighter jets to Pakistan, accusing it of not being serious enough in fight against terrorism.
