Rawalpindi: General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani on Friday handed over the command of the army to the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Raheel Sharif in a cermony held at General Head Quarters (GHQ).
President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif not attended the ceremony.
“Although I would not be in uniform tomorrow, my heart will continue to beat it as it has been my family since I joined.. It is a sad moment for me to bid farewell to the army after serving it for 44 years. I feel proud to command that powerful army for 6 years and it is really pleasing for me” he told the ceremony organised here for the change of command.
He thanked the army for the confidence it reposed in him and the loyalty it showed to him.
The entire area around the venue of the ceremony was blocked off with military and police personnel deployed in the area. Except for the invitees, no one was allowed to move into the area.
He prayed to Almighty Allah to guide the new army chief in commanding one of the most professional armies in the world and achieving new professional excellence.
Pakistan Army, he said, was one of the best professional forces in the world and hoped that it would continue to excel in future as well.
He commended the role of the army in overcoming external and internal threats to the country and maintaining peace and security.
The army, he said, had always risen to the occasion in difficult times, natural calamity like the recent earthquake, floods and internal and external security threats to the country.
He praised the role of the army in the development of the country’s infrastructure and said that it would continue to achieve this task in future. The president said it was unfortunate that some misguided elements pointed fingers at the army and criticised it.
The ceremony included a parade by a contingent of the Pakistan Army.
Dear TNT Reader,
At The News Tribe, our mission is to bring you free, independent, and unbiased news and content that keeps you informed and empowered. We are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism, as we understand that we are a platform for truth.
Apart from independent global news coverage, we also commit our unique focus on the Muslim world. In an age marked by the troubling rise of Islamophobia and widespread misrepresentation of Muslims in Western media, we strive to provide accurate and fair coverage.
But to continue doing so, we need your support. Even a small donation of 1$ can make a big difference. Your contribution will help us maintain the quality of our news and counteract the negative narratives that are so prevalent.
Please consider donating today to ensure we can keep delivering the news that matters. Together, we can make a positive impact on the world, and work towards a more inclusive, informed global society.
Donate Monthly Subscription Annual Subscription