The post of army chief is arguably a crucial post within the country. After following weeks of delay and speculation that who will fill the powerful slot, all the anxiety came to an end when Gen. Raheel Sharif, the younger brother of Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed was appointed as the new chief of army staff. He has served on positions of strategic importance.
The new chief will not only control the country’s nuclear arsenal, he will also have a deciding say on Pakistan’s policy towards Afghanistan during such critical period when the US forces are moving out. It will be a bit complicated for the new chief of army staff to handle such things in this situation. He has already played his role in reshaping the army’s strategic policy. We can hope for the best to happen and wish the new chief of staff to bring some positive changes during this critical time when country fights a Taliban insurgency and seeks accord with the United States on how to stabilize neighboring Afghanistan.
SARAH DAUD,
Lahore, November 27.