Islamabad: Pakistani army chief General Raheel Sharif, who is handing over command of the army to a successor on November 29, says after retirement he plans to work for the welfare of families of martyred soldiers.
The four-star general is spending his last week as army chief on farewell visits around the country and inaugurated yesterday a cricket stadium in Khyber Agency tribal area in northwest Pakistan along with the project sponsor, celebrated cricketer Shahid Afridi.
“I would like to dedicate my post-retirement life for the welfare of the families of slain soldiers,” the outgoing army chief said while speaking on the occasion.
Afridi later tweeted: “It is an honour and a privilege to inaugurate a stadium in Khyber Agency with COAS Raheel Sharif. You are Pakistan’s hero, and my hero too.”
The inauguration of the cricket stadium was among General Sharif’s last engagements ahead of passing on the baton of command to a new army chief, whom Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to appoint in the coming days.
General Raheel Sharif also addressed tribal elders in Khyber Agency.
