DUBAI: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday said that Army Chief General Raheel Sharif's retirement decision will turn people's hopes into disappointment and can also affect the country's war on terror negatively.

Terming the COAS's decision as premature, Zardari said that the retirement decision at this critical juncture of Pakistan's history may turn people's hopes into despair, as internal and external elements are hatching conspiracies against the motherland.

The statement released today further added that army's struggle against terrorism and for stability of the country is unmatched and PPP stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the army and lauds all its soldiers for the sacrifices rendered.

"Nation is united against terrorism and people are hopeful that the war on terror will reach its logical conclusion under the leadership of General Raheel Sharif," said the former president.

Related: Zardari cautions military establishment for 'stepping out of domain'

It must be remembered that Zardari, back in June last year, cautioned the army in a hard-hitting speech, where he lashed out at the military establishment for overstepping its domain.

The former president had earlier stated that army chiefs change after every three years, but the political leadership stays. “We know the country better and we know how to run its affairs," he had stressed, in his now infamous speech.

Zardari had said that he did not want to weaken the country’s institutions, but "they [establishment] should also not try to create hurdles for politicians."

"This is our country, our army and we want to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with them."

He had suggested that the establishment separate itself from politics and not interfere in matters out of its domain.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had cancelled his pre-scheduled meeting with Zardari after this speech. Within a week, the PPP co-chairman left the country for UAE for Dubai, where he currently resides.