Former president and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari welcomed the decision saying that the military is the most important institution and the tradition of getting extension in service should not gain roots in the country.
Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan said that the army chief’s decision will strengthen the army as an institution. Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that General Raheel Sharif kept national interest prior by making this decision.
The nation’s respect for General Raheel Sharif has gone up after his statement refusing to seek an extension..
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 25, 2016
General Sharif’s statement will strengthen the institution of the army & nations are built on strong institutions.
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) January 25, 2016
Awami Muslim League (AML) Sheikh Rasheed said the army chief has now thrown the ball in PM Nawaz Sharif’s court.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Talal Chaudhry commenting on the development said Pakistan is now a country different from past.
Awami National Party’s Zahid Khan said the decision by the COAS caused all speculations to die out.
Read: “I don’t believe in extension, will retire on the due date,” says army chief
Earlier, news channels within the country and abroad flashed the story based on DG ISPR Lieutenant General Asim Saleem Bajwa’s tweets as breaking news, which quoted the army chief saying, “I don’t believe in extension, will retire on the due date”.
