ISLAMABAD – It was a fine winter evening, when on November 28 2016, ArmyHouse of Rawalpindi was bidding farewell to its ‘outgoing’ chief before theofficial ceremony of command change in GHQ on November 2016.
It was the ceremony attended General Raheel Sharif and General Qamar JavedBajwa and General Raheel Sharif was ‘outgoing’ army chief. It was the lastday and the last evening of General Raheel Sharif as COAS in uniform asnext day the command was to be given to the new chief.
[image: Gen Raheel Sharif hands over the baton of command to Gen QamarJaved Bajwa. ─ Photo courtesy ISPR]
My friend, who is more like being caring elder sister to me, and I shouldalso add ‘daring’ as only she could make possible from impossible, wasinvited to the ceremony.
From there in Army House after the ceremony, she sent me a historicphotograph of herself with the two chiefs along with beautiful note thatwas the crux of the whole ceremony. She wrote:
*“… as the beautiful Maghrib Azaan was called, General Raheel Sharif lookedup at the sky with a smile (perhaps Thanking Allah, perhaps missing hisbrother) and made that one last “final walk” back home as COAS… beforehanging up his boots !*
I had mixed emotions filming this historic picture… blessed to be presentyet saddened to see him go!40 years in uniform and an amazing three years as chief – THE ONE & ONLYGENERAL RAHEEL SHARIF … Pakistan was blessed to have him”
Next day on 29th November 2016, General Raheel Sharif passed his baton ofcommand to the new chief, General Qamar Bajwa. He walked out with grace andglam, with dignity and pride, with his head high and heart satisfied afterhanding over the COMMAND CANE as GENERAL RETIRED RAHEEL SHARIF.
He did not stop at this but left the Army House after the ceremony and setoff to Lahore!
What a Legacy Sir!
When he was appointed as Chief of Army Staff on 27th November 2013,terrorism was on rise.
Not a single day passed without a blast, Karachi was bleeding andBalochistan was burning while Taliban were playing football with the headsof soldiers that they had chopped off in the severe act of barbarism in theBazaars of North Waziristan.
On 15 June 2014, General Raheel Sharif launched Operation Zarb-e-Azb thatwas initially started in the tough mountainous terrains of North Waziristanand then extended to the whole country.
The whole world then witnessed the change of tide in Pakistan.
By the time he retired after in 2016, terrorism declined to 70 – 80%, peacereturned to Karachi and Pakistan flag was fluttering high in the skies ofBalochistan and Waziristan with many Baloch insurgents surrendering andjoining the mainstream; cricket stadiums and parks constructed whilebusiness of locals thriving and children playing happily and peacefully inthe bazaars of Waziristan.
Leading from the front, with his boys or spending Eids with them at thebattle grounds of Waziristan, the General always stood with his men andnation.
From being always first to reach on the site of terror plots after blastsand visiting victims in hospitals, offering Janazas of Shuhadas andconsoling their families or natural disasters of any kind, he was alwaysthere with his nation.
He became the most popular army chief in Pakistan’s history and is stillpopular. His legacy, the RAHEEL SHARIF LEGACY is shining and unmatched.
Today he is proud Commander-in-Chief of IMCTC (Islamic Military CounterTerrorism Coalition) comprising 41 countries as the world has acknowledgedhis services and efforts in eradication of menace of terrorism in hishomeland and valued him with such a high and prestigious command. He is nownot only the asset to Pakistan but also toMuslim World.
Masha Allah!
Retired from office but not from the hearts, it was hard to bid HIMFAREWELL , the Finest Sipa Salaar of his era and a thorough professionalsoldier , the Zarb-e-Azb HERO known as THE GENERAL RAHEEL SHARIF!!!
Two years have passed but you are still missed …
Your services for your motherland will always be remembered in golden words.
BY: Tabarik Unnisa