In a U-turn, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Wednesday said that former Army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif (retired) did not seek government’s permission before joining the Saudi Arabia-led 39-nation military alliance.
“Gen. Raheel Sharif did not submit any application for a no objection certificate. There’s nothing in our notice,” he said in response to Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani’s query. He also said that Gen. Sharif had returned to Pakistan after performing Umrah in Saudi Arabia and if he applies for the NOC, then it will be decided according to law, The Express Tribune reported.
Mr. Rabbani had on Monday asked Mr. Asif to brief the House on whether Gen. Sharif had sought permission from the government or taken it into confidence over his decision to head the Saudi-led military alliance to combat terrorism.
Mr. Rabbani had also asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to clarify what would be the implications of the decision in terms of foreign policy and its effect on a decision taken at the joint sitting of Parliament not to become part of any such alliance. Mr. Asif had said on Friday that Gen. Sharif had taken the government into confidence before joining the alliance.
