Former army chief and current Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), General (retd) Raheel Sharif, was honored with a prestigious lifetime achievement award, as reported by The Republic Policy News. The distinguished ceremony took place at Government College University Lahore, where Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Asghar Zaidi had the honor of presenting the award to the retired military leader.

During the event, General (retd) Sharif engaged with the students, sharing valuable insights on the vital pillars of life – Character, Courage, and Competence, collectively referred to as the three Cs. Prof Zaidi commended Gen (retd) Sharif as a source of pride for their shared alma mater, highlighting his significant contributions.

General (retd) Sharif took the opportunity to recount his personal journey, deeply rooted in his family’s legacy at GCU. He also paid tribute to his elder brother, Major Shabbir Sharif Shaheed (Nishan-e-Haider, Military), who epitomized bravery and sacrifice as a fearless soldier.

The event was a platform to acknowledge Gen (retd) Sharif’s pivotal role in combatting terrorism within Pakistan. Notably, he served as the inaugural military commander of the IMCTC, representing 42 nations united in their commitment to global peace and security.

Gen (retd) Sharif, Pakistan’s 9th chief of army staff (COAS), led the nation’s armed forces from 2013 to 2016. His leadership was instrumental in launching impactful anti-terrorism operations across the country, with Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan being particularly significant. This operation decisively dismantled Taliban strongholds in the region, contributing to the overall stability and security of the entire nation.