Raheel Sharif arrives in Lahore with some Saudi citizens

E-Paper | July 22, 2026

LAHORE: Former army chief retired Gen Raheel Sharif, the head of the Saudi-led Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism (IMAFT), reached here from Saudi Arabia by a special plane on Friday.

According to media reports, some Saudi nationals accompanied Gen Sharif who reportedly left for his residence from Lahore airport’s old terminal while the Saudis moved to a local hotel.

Gen Sharif had left Lahore for Riyadh on April 21 to assume the command of the 41-nation IMAFT after the government quietly cleared him to serve the coalition.

“Gen Raheel Sharif has been issued a no objection certificate to join the IMAFT after GHQ’s consent and meeting legal formalities,” the defence minister had told a TV channel, as a special aircraft sent by the Saudi government had landed in Lahore to take the retired army chief to Riyadh.

Published in Dawn, July 8th, 2017

Pakistan

Thank you Raheel Sharif?

PM's adviser says Raheel Sharif cannot be recalled from Saudi Arabia

As the Muslim world plunges into conflict, will Pakistan help develop avenues of resolution?

SAAF GO

Jul 08, 2017 08:17am

Ist't something fishy here ? I believe there is. Special planes don't fly just for nothing.

Recommend 0

Mindshare ,tx

Jul 08, 2017 08:21am

Welcome general. God bless you.

Recommend 0

MUHAMMAD FAHEEM KHAN

Jul 08, 2017 09:00am

@SAAF GO This is saudi plane, and they have lots of money specially for those who they consider important for their security

Recommend 0

Jul 08, 2017 09:05am

Do we need more Saudis'and Iranis' in this country yet again?

Recommend 0

Arshad, Canada

Jul 08, 2017 10:02am

@Mindshare ,tx , Please Gen. just stay in SA. We do not need you here

Recommend 0

hussain

Jul 08, 2017 10:19am

great person always wanted to lead pakistan on top of the world countries.

Recommend 0

Abdul Ghaffar kaprawala

Jul 08, 2017 10:47am

General Saheb, please get out of this mess. Saudis are dragging you and Pakistan into this dirty global politics which will divide Muslim ummah into various factions. We love and admire you and pray for your long life!

Recommend 0

RAHMAN

Jul 08, 2017 10:53am

GOD bless you Gen Raheel Sharif,

Recommend 0

Jayshah

Jul 08, 2017 11:38am

I wish he would come back. I respect him too much

Recommend 0

Khalid

Jul 08, 2017 11:56am

Glad that you are back. Pls stay with the Saudi Alliance as they are our real BROTHER. Thanks

Recommend 0

Dr. Tankra

Jul 08, 2017 11:58am

@Arshad, Canada - We don't need those sitting in the West either.

Recommend 0

Ahmed khan ahmed

Jul 08, 2017 12:14pm

Raheel Shareef, you are doing a great job. Only time will tell that you have made a good decision. Some people really don't understand that.

Recommend 0

SHALWAR KAMEEZ FAUJ

Jul 08, 2017 12:42pm

Panamagate's conclusion being planned it seems

Recommend 0

HAMBANTOTA

Jul 08, 2017 12:44pm

He should join Imran Khan and PTI as possible future defense minister.

Recommend 0

asad

Jul 08, 2017 12:52pm

God bless our Raheel sharif, he is great leader and pakistani and muslim ummah loves him.

Recommend 0

Ali

Jul 08, 2017 01:11pm

Very upsetting. Saudis are not our friends, be careful

Recommend 0

Umar bin Khattab

Jul 08, 2017 01:11pm

Great general in all over the world

Recommend 0

Jul 08, 2017 01:19pm

@HAMBANTOTA : Internal security and not external defense

Recommend 0

Falcon1

Jul 08, 2017 01:58pm

I guess Raheel Sharif cannot see the other side of the coin, with his $1 million a year salary in Saudi Arabia and will go along with whatever Saudi policy may be in the region. Sad commentary on humanity.

Recommend 0

Muhammad Ali

Jul 08, 2017 02:01pm

The General had a great reputation.

Recommend 0

Asim

Jul 08, 2017 02:01pm

Pakistan gets involved in a military alliance led by Saudi Arabia who has severely bombed Yemen and besieged Qatar, is lean towards Israel and ................ Way to go Pakistan!

Recommend 0

Dawn

Jul 08, 2017 02:26pm

I am very disappointed by R.Sharif and his new 'job'.

Recommend 0

Tariq, Lahore

Jul 08, 2017 02:41pm

While the Arabs have riches from oil, they're no ones friend. They feel money can buy anything and everything??

Recommend 0

Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Jul 08, 2017 02:55pm

Welcome.

Recommend 0

kaspar

Jul 08, 2017 03:09pm

"Raheel Sharif lands in Lahore, accompanied with Saudi officials." Possibilities: Saudi officials to ensure that he returns to his job and does not resign. Why did he land in Lahore rather than in Islamabad? Anyone to answer that question?

Recommend 0

J. Niaz

Jul 08, 2017 03:31pm

General Shareef deserves whatever he gets.

Recommend 0

Desi Dimag

Jul 08, 2017 03:40pm

@J. Niaz for what?

Recommend 0

Ahmed Hanif

Jul 08, 2017 03:43pm

Saudis are going to accepts Israel. Fighting with Qatar, Iran and bombarding poor Yemen, what would be the role of Raheel Shareef

Recommend 0

Adeel Sami

Jul 08, 2017 04:02pm

Good luck, Raheel Sharif!!

Recommend 0

RationalBabu

Jul 08, 2017 05:10pm

@hussain : He is an ex-army general. He has not won any election yet. Why would you want him to lead Pakistan?

Recommend 0

Shak

Jul 08, 2017 07:05pm

Don't think about money. Please think about lives

Recommend 0

Muhammad yasir

Jul 08, 2017 07:16pm

I Love You Raheel Sharif

Recommend 0

umesh

Jul 08, 2017 07:22pm

I felt he was a professional soldier committed to Pakistan any time, every time.Now I feel I was wrong.There will certainly be conflicts of interest as the ruling family in KSA is self centered and will tilt towards Israel and the US at the cost of Pakistan .In sum ,it seems personal enrichment weighed more than national interest.I am an Indian but held him in high esteem,now saddened.

Recommend 0

Faisal Khan

Jul 08, 2017 07:45pm

I think they are here with a recruitment agenda... my be retired or about to retire Generals... May be low cadre as well... they have to raise an army remember!

Recommend 0

Dr jaws

Jul 08, 2017 08:17pm

@umesh thanks for the concern you should rather feel more about your PM Recent visit to the mentioned country

Recommend 0

Sameer

Jul 08, 2017 11:07pm

@Arshad, Canada he is not in Canada, He is in Pakistan.

Recommend 0

amer

Jul 08, 2017 11:09pm

@Abdul Ghaffar kaprawala true 100%. It cant be stopped. Easier to go with the wind

Recommend 0

amer

Jul 08, 2017 11:10pm

@Abdul Ghaffar kaprawala Gud judgement

Recommend 0

Jul 09, 2017 08:55am

The news in more about Raheel Sharif's leaving for his new assignment.

Recommend 0

Yasir

Jul 09, 2017 10:50am

It is always wise to realize a mistake and take measures to rectify it!

Recommend 0

Mohammad ashraf

Jul 09, 2017 01:03pm

Thank to raheel sharif to be command of IMAFT

Recommend 0

M Mirza

Jul 10, 2017 12:44am

He will repent this decision to join Saudi led force.

Recommend 0

A K Awan

Jul 10, 2017 12:58am

Well come home Gen.God bless you and help you by virtu of your posn to hatch unity among all the muslim countries incl turkey and iran.You must plan how could we take revenge of the bloodshed of innocent muslim boys and girls being bucherd by isrealies, indians,and Americans in syeria/iraq and afghanistan. Try tobe at your posn as long as possible and work for hatching unity among muslim world. God bless you Coll khalid awan

Recommend 0

pathanoo

Jul 10, 2017 12:59am

So, General Rahil Sharif, tell us about the progress of this Islamic Army.

Recommend 0

AHAQ

Jul 10, 2017 03:02am

Saudi Arabia has earned world wide notoriety as a result of its rash policies. Pakistan should not be a part of their their messy and notorious policy implementation.

Recommend 0

Syed Imran

Jul 10, 2017 07:08am

@SHALWAR KAMEEZ FAUJ WHAt is the connection????

Recommend 0

syed haider

Jul 10, 2017 07:46am

@Khalid.. Yours "Brotherly Saudi Alliance" also include brotherly countries of America and Israel. Really is this matter of pride or shame...

Recommend 0

farhan

Jul 10, 2017 07:49am

Where we are heading Sir?

Recommend 0

Brain

Jul 10, 2017 11:07am

@SAAF GO nothing fishy my friend. Private planes are a norm in the gulf. All high profile people use private planes.

Recommend 0

Sarfaraz

Jul 10, 2017 12:51pm

Please write Gen (R) instead of Gen only.

Recommend 0

Moth

Jul 10, 2017 05:07pm

@SAAF GO fishy fishy. Be smart and be at the top of the game. Gen Raheel Sharif is special with unique skills and knowledge. Just one in whole muslim world right now.

Recommend 0

Najjee

Jul 10, 2017 05:07pm

I agree there is some thing fishy about this trip. I hope our people wake up to the realities of this world and should see the forces working against Pakistan clearly.

Recommend 0

Ikram

Jul 10, 2017 05:19pm

He has earned the respect of millions, grant him the respect and stop looking for any conspiracy theories

Recommend 0

Javed

Jul 11, 2017 01:49am

Will we be reading about all his comings and goings back home every time?

Recommend 0

khalid

Jul 11, 2017 10:26am

@SAAF GO yes thats true