ISLAMABAD - The Islamabad High Court yesterday reserved its verdict in a writ petition seeking court’s directions to federal government to elevate Army Chief General Raheel Sharif to the rank of Field Marshall.
A single bench of IHC comprising Justice Aamer Farooq conducted hearing of the petition and reserved his judgment over the maintainability of the petition.
The petition was moved by a Rawalpindi-based lawyer Sardar Adnan Saleem Khan Mazari Advocate seeking directions for the federal government for elevation of General Raheel to the rank of Field Marshall for rendering his services to protect national security and safeguarding the frontiers of Pakistan in accordance with the National Action Plan (NAP) and successful operation Zarb-e-Azb in an effective and efficient manner against the terrorism and extremism.
The petitioner moved the court through his counsel Raja Saimul Haq Satti Advocate and nominated federal government through Secretary Cabinet Division, Prime Minister of Pakistan and secretary defense as respondents.
He contended that the exemplary, outstanding and professional performance during peace and war time with total dedication and devotion by our present Chief of Army Staff (COAS) needs national appreciation, award and recognition.
Sardar Saleem argued in his petition that in our Constitution there is no mention of tenure/period of a COAS. Mentioning family background and experience of General Raheel Sharif, he said that the incumbent COAS hails from a great family with military background. His father has been a Major in the army. His elder brother Major Shabbir Sharif and maternal Uncle Major Aziz Bhatti received highest gallantry awards of Nishan-e-Haider.
He added that this family has history of sacrifice and dedication for the country having high level of patriotic sense and responsibility.
Petitioner’s counsel stated that General Raheel Sharif has great experience of commanding military. After graduation from Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), he was commissioned in the Frontier Force Regiment in which his elder brother was also commissioned. As a young officer, he performed his duties in Gilgit in an infantry brigade and also served as adjutant of PMA. He also commanded the 11th Infantry Division in Lahore. As a brigadier, he commanded two infantry brigades including an independent infantry brigade group. As a Lieutenant General, he served as Corps Commander for two years before taking over as Inspector General Training and Evaluation in which capacity he oversaw the training of Pakistan Army.
He continued that General Raheel Sharif has also been awarded with the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, the second highest civilian award and honour that is given to both civilians and military officers of the Pakistan armed forces.
The counsel said that he filed number of applications to the respondents before filing this writ petition but no heed was paid.
He maintained that General Raheel Sharif has provided visionary leadership to the people of Pakistan as well as security forces by setting an example as a role model for others and giving new direction and hope to the nation in consonance with the constitutional frontiers of Pakistan.
He successfully initiated operation Zarb-e-Azb by countering the extremist designs of terrorist organisations with proactive and prudent approach and the same is still going on and yet to be completed.
Raja Saim said that General Raheel initiated and formulated NAP for safeguarding the frontiers of Pakistan and its geographical boundaries. Further, Pakistan army under the leadership of General Raheel Sharif has also taken responsibility to protect China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) that is vitally important for Pakistan and many negatives forces are creating hurdles in CPEC. Therefore, he prayed to the court to direct the respondents to elevate General Raheel Sharif to the rank of Field Marshall in the greater national interest.
