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KARACHI: United States (US) State Department Spokesman Mark Toner on Wednesday declined to comment on a question regarding US Senator John McCain's statements apparently calling for an extension in Gen Raheel Sharif's tenure as chief of army staff (COAS).
A controvery emerged over McCain's statements after a local news channel reported the senator had called for an extension in Gen Raheel's term as COAS.
A reporter at the State Department briefing said "According to Senator McCain, he wanted to see General Raheel Sharif continue as chief of army staff so that the military operations can be continued in the tribal area or other parts of the country. You want to comment on that?"
"I don't," Toner responded. "We welcome, as I said, General Sharif’s comments... I would simply state that it is in the US’s long-term national interests to support Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism, violent extremism, and build a more stable and democratic society. I’ll leave it there."
In an interview, an ARY News correspondent asked Senator McCain: "He [Gen Raheel] will be off the screen in a couple of months. What would you do if you were in place of Nawaz Sharif?"
McCain responds, "It's hard for me to say what should happen. I don't think it's appropriate for me to say what should happen within the decision making inside the government of Pakistan.
"I do believe General Raheel Sharif is an outstanding leader and I hope that he will be able to continue to serve the country in these very difficult times."
Earlier this month, Senator McCain visited Pakistan and said he was deeply impressed by General Raheel’s leadership skills. He termed the situation in Waziristan agency satisfying and lauded the armed forces for clearing tribal areas off terrorists.
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Jul 14, 2016 05:59pm
It happens only in Pakistan. US Senator commenting on extending Army Chief tenure of a democratic country..They are playing with you ..Grow up guys
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Jul 14, 2016 06:01pm
Will He keep his word?
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Jul 14, 2016 06:01pm
I have followed Senator McCain's career and I believe he is an outstanding individual and he has been a good friend of Pakistan. He tiptoed around a sensitive question, for he doesn't want to publicly interfere, but he, like most of us, would be delighted to see the COAS' term extended.
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Jul 14, 2016 06:05pm
McCain is the person who in 80's stood besides and posed with pictures in the the Mujahadin's fight in Afghanistan. Now that mess he and his friends created in the 80's is hard to clean. Pakistani government in the past and present sold out leaders continue to blindly follow foreign interests of their friends rather than think and address Pakistan's interests.
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Jul 14, 2016 06:08pm
"build a more stable and democratic society" he said. And McCain had said "I do believe General Raheel Sharif is an outstanding leader and I hope that he will be able to continue to serve the country in these very difficult times."... things can be done with out extension also
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Jul 14, 2016 06:13pm
Why is the extension of Pakistani General tenure is a business of US?
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Jul 14, 2016 06:18pm
@INDIAN - Everyone appreciates this General due to his commendable work on terrorism, except the likes of you who will say anything due to Pakistan centric mindset!
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Jul 14, 2016 06:20pm
And Pakistanis says they don't want any relation with the USA.
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Jul 14, 2016 06:23pm
I favor General Rahhel should get extension but Pakistan has its own choice . But US pulicly commenting on this subject is a clear interference in country's internal matters. How to deal with terrorists and their organizations in Pakistan is its own decision. No outside forces, even US can influence its decisions regarding combating terrorism in Pakistan.
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Jul 14, 2016 06:26pm
I agree Raheel has done an outstanding job , I also agree his tenure should be renewed , but I have objection on US projecting its views on this subject matter, this is purely an internal matter and Pakistanis should decide who stays or goes , but renewing Raheel's tenure may rob other generals in waiting who may be more capable than Raheel, so I have mixed feelings .
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Jul 14, 2016 06:29pm
McCain is saying the same thing that the rest of the nation already wants
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Jul 14, 2016 06:32pm
The good general should not get an extension if he believes that there are equally capable, if not more, soldiers in the Armed Forces. Pakistan did not collapse when Ayub, Zia or Musharraf left as they and we all believed. Have some faith in the institutions instead of figures.
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Jul 14, 2016 06:36pm
Is General himself said, the institution is bigger than individual, we need to have faith in institution, so those who are asking for renewal should keep quite and let institution do its job, next general can be better than Raheel Sb, if not may be the one after him, but if we are to make democracy strong we got to make institutions stronger than individuals, dont worry what Mccain says that because he hasnt probably seen better Raheel yet, but we do have best of best in our ranks that is for sure, i have full faith in our army and its officers, so lets not undermine it, its media creating more hype around it...
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Jul 14, 2016 07:13pm
It was out of line and inappropriate for the ARY interviewer to invite a comment on such internal and sensitive administrative matter from a foreigner. This reflects poorly on maturity and sensitvity of that interviewer. It indicates that media reps must be equipped with proper training.
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Jul 14, 2016 07:24pm
Pakistanis should not get carried away and be happy with US senator McCain's statement calling for the extension of the COAS tenure. In fact, he is definitely interfering in Pakistan's internal matter which ought to be decided by Pakistanis alone.
He cannot and will not issue such irresponsible statements concerning the tenure of army chiefs of any other nuclear nation like Russia, India, China, UK, France etc. So, stop clapping, look at the big picture and decide for yourselves.
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Jul 14, 2016 07:31pm
@INDIAN : What is wrong in appreciating someone's good work?
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Jul 14, 2016 07:45pm
Pakistan need to be assertive in dealing with others. No need to give away too much for nothing.
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Jul 14, 2016 07:46pm
We do not care what others are commenting. We believe on our army. Our every army chief is capable and determined to do their job
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Jul 14, 2016 07:46pm
What do Pak care what US or any other country say. It is Pak's internal matter and no one should be allowed to comment on it.
I will say it again, there is no need to extend Gen Raheel's tenure as the Pak Army is great institution and there are several great leaders in it. I can assure you that the next chief will be as smart and intelligent as Gen Raheel.
Having said that I would like to add that if Pak people think that Gen Raheel is the best leader they have then he should be encouraged to either join a party or form his own party after his retirement and contest election. If people truly thinks that he is the man then they should vote for him and his party in the next general election so he can lead. You need to follow the system, unfortunately there is no short cuts to success.
Lot of Generals have ruined their good name by clinging on to power. It is time to let the General retire with dignity and set a precedent.
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Jul 14, 2016 08:02pm
Gen McCain's comments are welcome. He is a friend of Pakistan.
Friends welcome involvement of friends in their affairs. This is a family matter that Indians will never understand.
I remember when Studying in Canada still on a Pak PP I worked on McGovern 1972 Campaign, even contributing monetarily from my meagre funds. I cared about what happens in the US.
Sen. McCain is doing the same. Thank you Senator for letting us know your views. I am certain they will be given the weight they deserve. Both Pak and USA have achieved much together, including the demise of the USSR. The cooperation for world peace should continue.
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Jul 14, 2016 08:04pm
@N_Saq Do people have any say, really? It reminds me a scene from 'One Flew Over the Cukoo's Nest'. There is no dearth of honest, good and responsible 'people'. Unfortunately the whole system is rigged. Until it is cleansed, it will keep drifting down. It in no one person who can cure it. It is collective conscience that needs to wake up and take responsibility. It is getting too late.
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Jul 14, 2016 08:16pm
@AbbasToronto says:-> Gen McCain's comments are welcome. He is a friend of Pakistan.
Please have some dignity and self respect. He is clearly influencing and interfering in Pakistan's internal matter. Even the US state dept has declined to comment on McCain's statement.
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Jul 14, 2016 08:20pm
@Desi Dimag : Never forget who opened the 'China Gates' for the US!
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Jul 14, 2016 08:43pm
Gen Raheel can start his own political party....am sure he will get the votes!
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Jul 14, 2016 09:00pm
Chances are that afghans would still be fighting among themselves for next fifty years. Its best for Pakistan not to get sucked into afghan problems and put some strict border controls. Pakistan needs to concentrate on economic growth for better life standards of its citizens. (Good bye afghans, take care, leave Pakistan alone. thanks in advance).
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Jul 14, 2016 09:15pm
John McCain is a reasonable politician who went to Waziristan and saw for him self Pakisyan's fight against terrorism. Also, it looks like he and Gen Sharif had a good tone and understanding.
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Jul 14, 2016 09:27pm
@N_Saq "will say it again, there is no need to extend Gen Raheel's tenure as the Pak Army is great institution and there are several great leaders in it. I can assure you that the next chief will be as smart and intelligent as Gen Raheel.
Having said that I would like to add that if Pak people think that Gen Raheel is the best leader they have then he should be encouraged to either join a party or form his own party after his retirement and contest election
"
Agree 100%. An example is not far off. A former COAS of India did join politics after retirement. He got 5 lakh votes and won with a huge margin in 2014 and is now Minister of State in External Affairs ministry.
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Jul 14, 2016 11:14pm
@Shahid correct
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Jul 14, 2016 11:46pm
It means he will get the extension.
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Jul 15, 2016 12:06am
@Harmony-1©, those staying in glass houses do not throw stones on others. I see you commenting on every India specific news - sometimes even 4-5 times a day. And all of your comments are anti-Indians. Even if there is a good news, you will try to find out some fault. And you are calling someone else Pakistan-centric? Then who are you?
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Jul 15, 2016 01:19am
Sen McCain must remember that Pakistan Military leadership is supreme comparable to any military in the world. So he better respects not only COAS Gen Raheel Sharif but also rest of the Pak army leadership. However, we thank Sen. McCain's positive comments.
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Jul 15, 2016 03:21am
Don't understand how Pakistan can let the US comment on COAS extensions? the FO should have been on the podium indicating such comments and questions are Pakistan's internal matter, Pakistan should make tis opposition public to this comment at all costs.
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Jul 15, 2016 03:22pm
@Ajay Tiwari - What was "anti-Indians"? Replies to people spreading nonsense and misinformation is not "anti-Indians"!!! Have you ever seen the likes of @Desi Dimag or @Indian everywhere...or just myopic sight you have?
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Jul 15, 2016 05:11pm
The US senator is happy with the performance of Pakistan Armys performance in FATA . All other senators who oppose Pakistan should be invited to see the Armys handling of terrorist problem.
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