Pak Army Chief Raheel Sharif a valued partner against terrorism: US

Islamabad: A United States official has said that Pakistan Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif is seen by US as a valued and respected partner in the war against terrorism and wished him well in his future pursuits.

Quoting diplomatic sources, the Dawn reports that an announcement is expected on Saturday about the appointment of the new army chief.

Stating that any transition in the Pakistan Army was an internal matter of the country, it was only appropriate that any statement regarding this change should come from its government, a US State Department spokesperson said, when asked about the general was stepping down as the army chief that it was only appropriate that any statement regarding this change should come from its government.

"We have seen the reports about the chief of army staff transition. This is an internal Pakistani matter, and I would direct you to the government of Pakistan for any further information," he said.

A statement issued by the US embassy in Islamabad said that General Sharif was "a valued and respected partner in the regional fight against terrorism throughout his years as army chief."

"We congratulate him and his family and wish them well," statement added.