RAWALPINDI: General Raheel Sharif on Friday assumed charge of 15th Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at a ceremony held at general headquarters in Rawalpindi, the outgoing army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani handed over the command of the army to the new army chief.
On the occasion‚ a smartly turned out contingent of armed forces presented farewell guard of honor to General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani.
The change of command ceremony was attended by federal ministers, services chiefs, diplomats and senior serving and retired officers.
Speaking on the occasion‚ the outgoing COAS General Kayani said Pakistan Army is fully capable to meet any internal and external challenges. He said the army not only is protecting the geographical borders of the country but has always been at the forefront and never disappointed the nation to tackle internal issues such as natural calamities.
About his military career‚ General Kayani said he feels honored to have been the head of this great force for six years. He said he always pursued the course of honesty‚ steadfastness and took all the decisions with good intent to meet the challenges. He said he always took the decisions keeping in view the interests of nation. He thanked the officers and jawans for extending full cooperation to him.
General Kayani said Pakistan Army gave excellent performance to overcome terrorism with the support of the nation which caused grave damage to the country. He said our officers and jawans rendered matcheless sacrifices in this war and were successful to bring peace in various parts of the country. He said their names will be written in golden words in the history. He said our soldier is a precious asset and their is no substitute of him.
General Kayani also thanked the nation for supporting him as army chief to serve the nation. He expressed the confidence that new military leadership will continue to work with the same spirit to further improve professional skills of Pakistan Army.
He expressed the confidence that Pakistan Army under the leadership of new Army Chief General Raheel Sharif will achieve more successes.
The outgoing Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kyani laid floral wreath at the monument of martyrs.
On Wednesday, General Raheel Sharif was appointed as the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), while General Rashad Mehmood was appointed as the new CJCSC.
General Rashad Mahmood assumed his charge of the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) on Thursday, a day after he was appointed for the said post.
General Raheel Sharif carries with him a vast experience of Command‚ Staff and Instructional appointments. He served as General Officer Commanding of an Infantry Division and the Commandant of prestigious Pakistan Military Academy.
As a Lieutenant General he served as Corps Commander 30 Corps for two years before taking over as Inspector General Training and Evaluation in which capacity he oversaw the training of Pakistan Army.
