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The premature retirement of former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Rizwan Akhtar echoed in the Senate on Tuesday as Senators raised question over the causes behind the sudden move.
Rizwan Akhtar on Saturday requested for early retirement from Pakistan Army citing "pressing personal commitments".
He, in a letter, asked for "premature release" starting Oct 9, 2017, after nearly 35 years of active commissioned service in the armed forces.
Akhtar, who was replaced by Lt Gen Naveed Mukhtar as director general (DG) ISI, was posted as president of the National Defence University two weeks after Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa took oath last year.
JUI-F's Senator Hafiz Hamdullah said was there any political party which could ask why a seasoned senior general opted for early retirement and what were the reasons behind this move.
Without naming Rizwan Akhtar, he raised the question that why a senior general who had served on a crucial post in Karachi resigned from his post.
He went on to say that no one will ask a question in this regard because all know that it might make "them" angry, putting their political career in jeopardy.
PML-N's Senator Saleem Zia said that people would be camping outside the residence of a minister had he or she resigned, but no one will ask a question if an army officer resigns.
No one will even dare to pass by the residence of that officer.
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Comments (40) Closed
Oct 11, 2017 12:46am
It is a good trend. Some of our politicians should follow suit and announce their retirement. I suggest we can start with Moulana Fazal-ur-Rehman, Farooq Sattar, Chandio and few others. Maybe we make a law that anyone who never worked in a 9 to 5 job, and have no profession otherwise, should be retired.
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Oct 11, 2017 12:55am
It’s silly to bring up the subject. Man deserves to be left alone and enjoy his private life. Quit typical political storing.
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Oct 11, 2017 01:02am
Cant expect these politicians to ùnderstand about resigning with dignity so no wonder they sound shocked.
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Oct 11, 2017 01:27am
Well; I will respect Gen Rizwan's decision and his reason. That's about it.
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Oct 11, 2017 01:43am
I think he was instigating a coup against NAWAZ Government.
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Oct 11, 2017 02:03am
It is painful for an active army/air force/navy commander of such high caliber to be posted in a teaching assignment. They consider it to be a reversal in their career. He was a brilliant ISI chief.
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Oct 11, 2017 02:24am
PML(N) don't understand the basic logic. There is something called "personal reasons". Do not equate yourself with the Army. You are a tainted group of politicians.
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Oct 11, 2017 02:27am
Perhaps he got a job in Saudi Arabia against monthly salary in millions and pricks.
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Oct 11, 2017 03:39am
Why is his retirement their business?
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Oct 11, 2017 04:17am
That's the truth.
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Oct 11, 2017 04:57am
The questions Wil.be asked and will be answered by the respected General. But, as an top most army officer,there are certain rules and regulations to follow which are not there in other services and revenue is not liable to declare publicly why he resigned. But after the cooling period is over, things will be in open. Don't politicize it.
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Oct 11, 2017 05:10am
This general has served the nation for 35 years..
Good luck rizwan akhter saab..
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Oct 11, 2017 05:12am
He's being accused because he resigned? Why can't anyone accuse Ishaq Dar who's accused and still hasn't resigned?
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Oct 11, 2017 05:34am
Is there any comparison ? Why dragging him unnecessarily. Don't they have public issues to highlight and resolve them.
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Oct 11, 2017 05:36am
This is a very good question. Can we the taxpayers ask the same question from the army or the defense minister?
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Oct 11, 2017 06:14am
Why people would be interested in knowing exactly what were the reasons for retiring early. I rather question why Nawaz and others, who are under investigation, do not resign.
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Oct 11, 2017 06:42am
Bought by KSA-Raheel Sharif for bigger service and pay.
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Oct 11, 2017 07:17am
He is not answerable to anyone and could have been picked for some highly secretive mission
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Oct 11, 2017 07:23am
He is going to join his former boss in Saudi Arabia. It's that simple. His brilliant experience is needed to create a join Islamic force from intelligence perspective as well. Well done General.
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Oct 11, 2017 07:56am
Hasn't one the right to decide when to retire and to look for other ways to live his life? Why do senators spending public money waste their time and effort on such questions instead of tackling more urgent issues for the people in general?
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Oct 11, 2017 08:40am
because he is not a public officer, why do we expect a public explanation from him. Thats our problem, we ourselves are too keen to let these generals feel superior than us and are still indirectly wanting to be ruled by them.
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Oct 11, 2017 08:49am
Why should people risk their lives. Did the senators name the general in question during the hearing.
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Oct 11, 2017 09:04am
"PML-N's Senator Saleem Zia said that people would be camping outside the residence of a minister had he or she resigned"
When was the last time one of your party's ministers resigned, for any reason? Anybody willing to give it a try? I doubt because politics for you guys is a means to an end and that end is the power that ministries bring for you to exploit.
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Oct 11, 2017 09:07am
Is it possible to bring him back?
We very much wanted to see him as our nxt COAS!
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Oct 11, 2017 09:46am
Any one in service can use the right to resign. These goats like ... i mean politicians cling to office and never want to leave
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Oct 11, 2017 09:54am
Does that even make any sense ? Who asks government employees about their early retirement ?
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Oct 11, 2017 09:55am
Glad somebody asked that question.
Looks like, some truth being hidden (PIA Plane sale deal).
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Oct 11, 2017 09:59am
Because it's his personal matter. Lots of people retire from their jobs and they are not obliged to explain.
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Oct 11, 2017 10:25am
He might end up working with his old boss Raheel Shareef
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Oct 11, 2017 10:31am
@Ok it is again "PML(N) don't understand the basic logic. There is something called "personal reasons". Do not equate yourself with the Army"
With the amount of harm done by one entity to the survival of our beloved nation, I dip nor think that any political party should compare itself to the army, however disciplined and seemingly non corrupt it may appear
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Oct 11, 2017 10:31am
We should recognise his extraordinary services which he rendered in bringing peace in the country especially in Waziristan & Karachi. He did an excellent job. " I salute you Sir , for your bravery , patriotism , & excellent leadership".During his tenure in addition to the job assigned to him i.e. "improvement of law & order situation of country" he travelled to different countries just to present the clear picture of Pakistan which was distorted by India. This was basically the job of our ex-PM who during his tenure didn't bothered to appoint a foreign minister. I am very proud to say that "He is my role model" & I wish that my son would be like him. God bless you Sir.
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Oct 11, 2017 10:44am
How thick are these senators??!! The man resigned citing personal reasons and they can not even stomach this. Besides can Saleem Zia even give couple of examples where ministers have resigned and people have camped outside their houses?!! Shows nothing but wishful thinking and severe lack of grey matter.
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Oct 11, 2017 10:52am
no politician ever resigned in pakistans history. until they pass away and give powers to their son or daughter.
how about army do the same and generals son should be chosen as general like his father.
we got double standards. we want trained and experienced soldiers and generals but when it comes to politicians we only look for dynasties and families with fake degrees.
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Oct 11, 2017 11:08am
Those questioning the political interference in the problem please read PIA jet sale issue.
you will came to knew many facts and will start appreciating your politicians at least for the first time on this issue.
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Oct 11, 2017 01:25pm
True. Civilian political leaders do not matter in Pakistan. They are just the Masks for the establishment which has the true power
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Oct 11, 2017 02:07pm
@MALIK their country has no effect on yours, so stop acting as tho it does.
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Oct 11, 2017 02:07pm
@lodhi no one in your country resigned....
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Oct 12, 2017 03:43pm
@Tamza I concur
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Oct 12, 2017 11:22pm
Since resigning is not in the culture of these stupid politicians, it is shocking for them to digest this news. It is none of their business to poke their nose in his personal reason.
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Oct 13, 2017 02:51am
There are some serious corruption charges in social media.
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