ISLAMABAD, Jan 26: The most powerful and popular man in Pakistan, army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif, announced Monday he will step down when his term expires in November, boosting the country’s historically unstable democracy but creating new uncertainty about the battle against Islamist militants.
Sharif, who pushed the country onto a war-footing against the Pakistani Taliban and is credited for a steep decline in terrorist attacks, made his announcement on Twitter.
“I don’t believe in extensions and will retire on due date,” Sharif said through his chief spokesman, Lt. Gen. Asim Bajwa. “Efforts to route [sic] out terrorism will continue with full vigor and resolve.”
Sharif’s announcement could have major implications for both Pakistan’s future posture toward Islamist extremist groups as well as efforts to play a role in encouraging peace talks between Afghanistan’s government and the Taliban insurgency. Sharif is widely considered to be a dominant voice in Pakistan’s efforts to nudge the Afghan Taliban into formal talks with Kabul.
Under Pakistan’s constitution, army chiefs hold the position for three years but are eligible for extensions.
Sharif’s predecessor, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, served as army chief for six years. But Kayani’s extension was controversial in a country that has been under military rule for about half of its 68-year history.
Still, Sharif’s announcement could usher in a new period of unease over the country’s future. Although Pakistan completed its first transfer of power from one democratically elected government to another in 2013, many Pakistanis still revere the army for being their true blanket of stability and security.
