Raheel Sharif

{{short description|9th Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan}} {{Political POV|date=March 2026}} {{Use British English|date=January 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=January 2022}} {{Infobox officeholder | honorific_prefix = General (R) | name = Raheel Sharif | honorific_suffix = {{small|NI(M) HI(M)}} | image = General Raheel Sharif.jpg | alt = | caption = Official military portrait, 2013 | office1 = 1st Commander of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition | predecessor1 = ''Office established'' | term_start1 = 29 May 2017 | term_end1 = | office2 = 9th Chief of Army Staff | term_start2 = 29 November 2013 | term_end2 = 29 November 2016 | president2 = Mamnoon Hussain | prime_minister2 = Nawaz Sharif | predecessor2 = Ashfaq Parvez Kayani | successor2 = Qamar Javed Bajwa | office3 = Inspector General of the Training and Evaluation | term_start3 = October 2012 | term_end3 = November 2013 | office4 = Commander XXX Corps, Gujranwala | term_start4 = October 2010 | term_end4 = October 2012 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1956|6|16|df=y}} | birth_place = Quetta, West Pakistan, Pakistan | allegiance = {{PAK}} | branch = {{army|Pakistan}} | service_years = 1976–2016 | rank = 23 px General | unit = 6th FF Regiment | commands = {{plainlist| *Islamic Military Alliance *Chief of Army Staff *XXX Corps *XI Division *6 Frontier Force Regiment *26 Frontier Force Regiment }} | battles = * Kargil War * Insurgency in Balochistan * War in North-West Pakistan ** Operation Khyber ** Operation Zarb-e-Azb * 2014 Kashmir Skirmishes * Organized crime in Pakistan ** Operation Zarb-e-Ahan ** Nine Zero raids | relations = Raja Aziz Bhatti (uncle) Shabbir Sharif (brother) | parents = Major Rana Muhammad Sharif (father)<ref>https://www.nation.com.pk/06-Dec-2020/a-brave-man-whose-mere-presence-was-a-guarantee-of-victory</ref> Fazl Begum (mother)<ref name="dawn"/> | education = Garrison Boys High School, Lahore Cantt Government College Lahore Pakistan Military Academy National Defense University | mawards = 40px{{small|Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military)}} 40px {{small|Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military)}} 40px{{small|Order of King Abdulaziz}} 40px {{small|Legion of Merit}} 40px {{small|Order of Military Merit}} 40px {{small|Turkish Legion of Merit}} 40px {{small|Order of Military Merit}} }}

General '''Raheel Sharif''' {{small|NI(M) HI(M)}} (Urdu: {{Nastaliq|راحیل شریف}}; born 16 June 1956) is a retired four-star army general of the Pakistan Army who served as the 15th Chief of Army Staff from 29 November 2013 to 29 November 2016.<ref>{{cite news|author=Mateen Haider |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1058927 |newspaper=Dawn |title=Lt Gen Raheel Sharif chosen as new army chief |date=1 January 2013 |access-date=27 November 2013}}</ref> After his retirement as Pakistan's army chief, Raheel Sharif has been serving as the first commander of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition, a 41-nation alliance of Muslim countries headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia since 6 January 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.geo.tv/latest/135494-Pakistan-allows-General-Retd-Raheel-Sharif-to-lead-Saudi-led-military-alliance|title=Pakistan allows General (Retd) Raheel Sharif to lead Saudi-led military alliance|website=geo.tv|access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref>

Under General Raheel Sharif's command, the Pakistan Army carried out anti-terrorism operations across the country. The most important of these was in North Waziristan, namely Operation Zarb-e-Azb which eradicated taliban strongholds in the region and stabilized the entire country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/11/21/zarb-e-azb-resulted-into-more-secure-stable-pakistan-army-chief-gen-raheel/|title=Zarb-e-Azb resulted into more secure, stable Pakistan: Army Chief Gen Raheel|access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref> He expanded the role of paramilitaries in Karachi which is widely credited with reducing the level of violence in Pakistan's commercial capital.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/359266-Karachi-7-accused-arrested-in-Rangers-police-ope|title=Karachi: 7 accused arrested in Rangers, police operation – Pakistan – Dunya News|date=14 February 2008 |access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref> The Pakistani military under his command has also supported the democratically elected government on the federal level and the Baloch provincial and local government in ending the Balochistan insurgency by pursuing reconciliation<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1191121|title=Khan of Kalat being persuaded to return home|first=Saleem|last=Shahid|date=29 June 2015|access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref> and integration of former militants back into mainstream Pakistani society.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/362145-People-of-Balochistan-shunned-externallyfunded-te|title=People of Balochistan shunned externally-funded terrorists: COAS – Pakistan – Dunya News|date=14 February 2008 |access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/04/18/144-baloch-militants-surrender-weapons-accepting-amnesty-offer-from-government/|title=144 Baloch militants surrender weapons, accepting amnesty offer from government|access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1216188|title=30 militants including two commanders surrender|first=Syed Ali|last=Shah|date=29 October 2015|access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref> General Sharif also developed a new brigade-level military unit to help protect and secure the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor which runs through Balochistan province.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1277182|title=15,000 troops of Special Security Division to protect CPEC projects, Chinese nationals|first=Raza|last=Khan|date=12 August 2016|access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref> General Sharif helped to develop Pakistan's indigenous defence industry which resulted in the savings of more than $1.14 billion of Pakistan's forex, over a year and half time period.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1244678/defence-production-saved-forex-worth-1-14b/|title=Defence production saved forex worth $1.14b|newspaper=The Express Tribune|date=26 November 2016|access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref>

General Sharif achieved his objectives by strengthening the role of the military in affairs directly concerning national security and foreign policy, while leaving the civilian government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in control of social and economic policy.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-38016273|title=Raheel Sharif: The army chief who ruled without a coup|first=M. Ilyas|last=Khan|date=23 November 2016|access-date=29 May 2017|publisher=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://time.com/4077679/pakistan-national-security-advisor-naseer-khan-janjua/|title=Pakistan's Military Tightens Grip on Security Policy|magazine=Time|access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref> and reconciled Pakistan with America by striking against militant groups near the Afghan border,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/362616-General-Sharif-convenes-meeting-with-US-Ambassador|title=General Sharif convenes meeting with US Ambassador – Pakistan – Dunya News|date=14 February 2008 |access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref> carrying out Pakistan's first joint military exercises with Russia,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/817963/will-russia-lose-its-goodwill-in-india-by-conducting-military-exercises-with-pakistan|title=Has Russia lost goodwill in India by conducting military exercises with Pakistan?|author=Vice Admiral Anil Chopra|date=3 Oct 2016|access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref> and deepening relations with China.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/china-pakistan-to-deploy-warships-to-safeguard-balochistan-port/story-CvVthH3ZKLyvKYUxiMdHiM.html|title=China, Pakistan to deploy warships to safeguard Balochistan port|date=25 November 2016|access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref>

General Sharif left a respected legacy in Pakistan. He said that he was "ready to serve Pakistan" even after his retirement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/655605/injured-war-veterans-are-national-heroes-gen-raheel-sharif/|title=Injured war veterans are national heroes: Gen Raheel Sharif|newspaper=The Express Tribune|date=6 January 2014 |access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/ready-to-serve-pakistan-after-retirement-says-gen-raheel/|title=Ready to serve Pakistan after retirement, says Gen Raheel|date=25 November 2016 |access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref> He is widely credited with reducing terrorism inside the country; violence in the country was reduced to its lowest level since 2006,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1297480/global-index-records-drop-in-terrorist-activities-in-pakistan-during-2015|title=Global index records drop in terrorist activities in Pakistan during 2015|first=Amin|last=Ahmed|date=20 November 2016|access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref> with an overall decline of 80% in terrorist attacks under his tenure.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/953303/over-last-9-months-70-decline-in-terrorist-attacks-in-pakistan/ |title=70% decline in terrorist attacks in Pakistan|newspaper=The Express Tribune|date=9 September 2015|access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref>

==Early life and education== General Raheel Sharif was born in Quetta, capital of Pakistan's Balochistan province. He belongs to a Kashmiri Shaikh family from Kunjah in District Gujrat, Punjab Province.

He has a prominent military background,<ref name="dawn">{{cite news|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1058941|title=Profile: Lt General Raheel Sharif|work=Dawn|date=27 November 2013|access-date=27 November 2013}}</ref> and is the son of (late) Major Muhammad Sharif.<ref name="dawn" /> He is the youngest sibling among three brothers and two sisters.<ref name="et">{{cite news|agency=Reuters |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/637685/lg-raheel-sharif-is-the-new-army-chief/ |title=Lt Gen Raheel Sharif appointed new army chief|newspaper=The Express Tribune |date=23 February 2011 |access-date=27 November 2013}}</ref> His elder brother Major Shabbir Sharif (28 April 1943 – 6 December 1971) was a Pakistan Army officer who was posthumously awarded the Nishan-e-Haider during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. Shabbir Sharif is regarded as the highest decorated military officer of the Pakistan Army who received both the Nishan-e-Haider (1971) and Sitara-e-Jurat (1965), and received the Sword of Honour at Pakistan Military Academy upon graduation. His second brother, Captain Mumtaz Sharif, served in Pakistan Army and for his bravery in saving soldiers from a burning tank during an exercise accident, was awarded Sitara-e-Basalat, he received an early retirement due to his injuries.<ref name="family">{{cite news|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/469432-luck-plays-role-in-gen-sharifs-promotion|title=Luck plays role in Gen Sharif's promotion|work=The News International|date=28 November 2013|access-date=1 December 2013}}</ref> From his mother's side, he is related to Major Raja Aziz Bhatti, another Nishan-e-Haider recipient, who was declared as the martyr of Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 by Pakistan.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.pakistantribune.com.pk/6825/lt-general-raheel-sharif-appointed-as-chief-of-army-staff.html|title=Lt. General Raheel Sharif Appointed as Chief of Army Staff|work=Pakistan Tribune|date=27 November 2013|access-date=27 November 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131128184503/http://www.pakistantribune.com.pk/6825/lt-general-raheel-sharif-appointed-as-chief-of-army-staff.html |archive-date=28 November 2013}}</ref> Raheel Sharif is married and has four children, three sons and a daughter.<ref name="dawn" />

Sharif received his formal education from Garrison Boys High School, Lahore Cantt, and later on he studied from the Government College in Lahore and afterward attended the 54th long course (L/C) of Pakistan Military Academy (PMA).<ref name="dawn" />

==Military career==

=== Early career === After his passing out in October 1976, he was commissioned into the 6th Battalion of the Frontier Force Regiment, where his elder brother had also served. He served as an adjutant to the Pakistan Military Academy and joined an infantry brigade in Gilgit.<ref name="dawn" />

=== Command, field and staff roles === He has the distinction of commanding two infantry units, 6FF and 26FF as a Lt. Colonel and also as an Acting Brigade Commander in Sialkot during 1999 Kargil War. During the Army monitoring of 2000 he was given control of Gujranwala district and is credited for bringing substantial administrative and social reforms to the area. As a Brigadier, he commanded two infantry brigades.<ref name="dawn" /> In 2001, he was appointed Chief of Staff of 30 Corps Gujranwala. He was later posted as Chief of Staff at Corps Headquarters Quetta, Balochistan.<ref name="dawn" />

=== Higher command and staff positions === In 2004 he was selected to join the prestigious Royal College of Defence Studies, UK where he graduated with distinction.<ref>[http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-2-216819-Luck-plays-role-in-Gen-Sharifs-promotion Luck plays role in Gen Sharif’s promotion] ''Print Edition The News International'', Shakil Shaikh, 28 November 2013 | Retrieved 7 July 2015</ref>

In 2005 he was promoted to the rank of Major General and assigned command of the coveted 11th Infantry Division in Lahore. After commanding the division for over two years, he was posted as Commandant of the Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul. Following his promotion to Lieutenant General, Sharif served as a Corps Commander Gujranwala and then as the Inspector General for Training and Evaluation of the Pakistan Army before becoming the 15th Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan.<ref name="dawn" />

==== Role in Counter-Terrorism ==== thumb|right|General Raheel Shareef with Bob Work in 2014 As the Inspector General for Training and Evaluation, he enhanced the military colleges in the country and provided unconventional warfare training to the troops.<ref name="thenews1"/> He also dealt with the evaluation of military doctrines and war strategies with a view to shaping future training programs. He changed the army's focus more towards carrying out counter-insurgency operations against Tehrik-i-Taliban (Pakistani Taliban) militants.<ref name="thenews1">{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-6-216958-knows-the-rules,-makes-a-pincer-move |title=Knows the rules, makes a pincer move|first=Wajahat S. |last=Khan |work=The News International |date=29 November 2013 |access-date=3 December 2013}}</ref>

General Sharif has spearheaded a thinking in Pakistan military since 2007 that fighting Taliban inside Pakistan is more important than focusing on India, Pakistan's arch rival since independence.<ref name="BBC Profile">{{cite news|title=Profile: Raheel Sharif, Pakistan's 'strategic' army head|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-25122054|publisher=BBC|date=27 November 2013}}</ref>

==Chief of Army Staff== {{Expand section|date=May 2022}} On 27 November 2013, Sharif was appointed as the 15th Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.<ref>{{cite web|last=Waraich |first=Omar |url=https://world.time.com/2013/11/27/a-very-important-man-meet-pakistans-new-army-chief/#ixzz2m6wMnXd0 |title=Gen. Raheel Sharif: Pakistan's New Army Chief Assumes Pivotal Job |publisher=Time |date=2013-11-27 |access-date=2013-12-03}}</ref>

In 2013, Sharif was conferred with Nishan-e-Imtiaz (military).<ref>{{cite news | url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/648203/president-honours-army-chief-jcsc-head-with-nishan-e-imtiaz/ | title=President honours army chief, JCSC head with Nishan-e-Imtiaz | work=The Tribune | date=20 December 2013 | access-date=21 December 2013}}</ref> He has the distinction of being conferred with 5 international military awards, highest for any Pakistani Army Chief till date, in recognition for his outstanding leadership in the fight against terrorism and bringing stability to the region. General Raheel Sharif retired as the Chief of Army Staff on 29 November 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://nation.com.pk/islamabad/26-Aug-2014/general-janjua-may-be-next-isi-dg|title=General Janjua may be next ISI DG|work=The Nation|date=26 August 2014 |location=Pakistan|access-date=18 July 2016}}</ref>

=== Karachi Operation === {{Main|MQM militancy#2015–16 Nine Zero Raids|Nine Zero#Nine Zero raids}} General Raheel Sharif launched Karachi Operation in 2013 to clear the city from the political and criminal gang rivalry which was creating havoc in the city. The Karachi which was counted as 6th most dangerous city of the world in 2013 eliminated out of list of 100 dangerous cities in 2017, making it more peaceful than Delhi, Chicago and Tehran.

== Post-retirement ==

=== Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition === [[File:Raheel Sharif at the Global Security Dinner Davos (RS394598) (BBA5350).jpg|thumb|Sharif at the Global Security Dinner Davos in 2017]] In April 2017, Raheel got the approval of the Government of Pakistan to serve as head of Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition a 41-nation Islamic military alliance being headquartered in Saudi Arabia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-12-23 |title=DiplomaticQuarter: Bangladesh envoy lauds Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition's works |url=https://arab.news/2bxtc |access-date=2022-08-31 |website=Arab News |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ifpnews.com/coverage/04/retired-pakistani-general-riyadh-lead-saudi-coalition/|title=Retired Pakistani General in Riyadh to Lead Saudi Coalition|date=22 April 2017|access-date=29 May 2017|archive-date=24 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170424043231/http://ifpnews.com/coverage/04/retired-pakistani-general-riyadh-lead-saudi-coalition/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://ncr-iran.org/en/news/iran-world/22465-iran-regime-not-ok-with-islamic-nato|title=Iran Regime Not OK With Islamic NATO|author=Staff Writer|date=4 April 2017 |access-date=29 May 2017}}</ref>

==Awards and decorations== {| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" | |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Nishan-e-Imtiaz.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Hilal-e-Imtiaz.png|width=130}} | |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Baqa (1998).png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Istaqlal (2002).png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=10 years Service Medal.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=20 years Service Medal.png|width=130}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=30 years Service Medal.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=35 years Service Medal.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Tamgha-e-Sad Saala Jashan-e-Wiladat-e-Quaid-e-Azam.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Hijri Tamgha.png|width=130}} |- |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Jamhuriat Tamgha 1988.png|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha Pakistan.svg|width=130}} |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Independence Day Golden Jubilee Medal, 2006.svg|width=130}} |{{ribbon devices|ribbon=Command and Staff College Quetta Centenary Medal.svg|width=130}} |} {| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;" | colspan="2" |'''Nishan-e-Imtiaz''' '''(Military)'''

''(Order of Excellence)'' | colspan="2" |'''Hilal-e-Imtiaz''' '''(Military)'''

''(Crescent of Excellence)'' |- |'''Tamgha-e-Baqa''' ''(Nuclear Test Medal)''

'''1998''' |'''Tamgha-e-Istaqlal Pakistan''' ''(Escalation with India Medal)''

''(100th Birth Anniversary of''

''Muhammad Ali Jinnah)''

'''1976''' |'''Hijri Tamgha''' ''(Hijri Medal)''

'''1979''' |- |'''Jamhuriat Tamgha''' ''(Democracy Medal)''

'''1988''' |'''Qarardad-e-Pakistan Tamgha''' ''(Resolution Day''

''Golden Jubilee Medal)''

'''1990''' |'''Tamgha-e-Salgirah Pakistan''' ''(Independence Day''

''Golden Jubilee Medal)''

'''1997''' |'''Command & Staff College''' '''Quetta'''

'''Instructor's Medal''' |}

=== Foreign decorations === {| class="wikitable" ! colspan="3" style="background:#006400; color:#FFFFFF; text-align:center" |'''Foreign Awards''' |- !{{flag|Saudi Arabia}} |'''Order of Abdulaziz al Saud<ref name="Dawn">{{cite news |date=5 February 2014 |title=Gen Raheel meets with Saudi political, military leadership |newspaper=Dawn |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1085116/gen-raheel-meets-with-saudi-political-military-leadership |access-date=18 February 2014}}</ref>''' |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Order of King Abdulaziz, 1st Class (Saudi Arabia).png|width=130}} |- !{{flag|USA}} |'''The Legion of Merit''' '''(Degree of Commander)''''''<ref>{{cite web |date=2014-11-20 |title=Army chief conferred US Legion of Merit medal |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1145504 |access-date=2016-08-02 |work=Dawn |location=Pakistan}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2014-11-19 |title=Army chief relays concerns about Indian ceasefire violations to US: report |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/793531/coas-conferred-with-us-legion-of-merit-medal/ |access-date=2016-08-02 |newspaper=The Express Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=2014-11-19 |title=Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif conferred US Legion of Merit medal |url=http://www.thenewstribe.com/2014/11/19/army-chief-gen-raheel-sharif-conferred-us-legion-of-merit-medal/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119145630/http://www.thenewstribe.com/2014/11/19/army-chief-gen-raheel-sharif-conferred-us-legion-of-merit-medal/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=19 November 2014 |access-date=2016-08-02 |publisher=TheNewstribe}}</ref>''' |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=US Legion of Merit Commander ribbon.png|width=130}} |- !'''{{flag|Brazil}}''' |'''Order of Military Merit<ref name="DawnBrazil">{{cite news |date=25 November 2015 |title=General Raheel Sharif decorated with Brazil's 'Order of Merit' |newspaper=Dawn |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1222193/general-raheel-sharif-decorated-with-brazils-order-of-merit |access-date=25 November 2015}}</ref>''' |{{ribbon devices|ribbon=Order of Military Merit - Grand Officer (Brazil).png|width=130}} |- !'''{{flag|Turkey}}''' |'''Turkish Legion of Merit''''''<ref>{{Cite web |title=COAS Raheel Sharif awarded Turkish Legend of Merit |url=https://arynews.tv/en/coas-raheel-sharif-awarded-turkish-legend-of-merit/ |access-date=2016-05-02 |website=arynews.tv|date=12 October 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-10-13 |title=War against terror: Pakistan stands with Turkey, says General Raheel |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/971944/war-against-terror-pakistan-stands-with-turkey-says-general-raheel/ |access-date=2016-05-02 |newspaper=The Express Tribune}}</ref>''' |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Turkish Armed Forces Medal of Merit.png|width=130}} |- !'''{{flag|Jordan}}''' |'''The Order of Military Merit (Grand Cordon)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gen Raheel awarded Jordanian medal of merit |url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/115454-Gen-Raheel-awarded-Jordanian-medal-of-merit |access-date=2016-05-02 |website=The News International}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gen Sharif conferred with Jordanian Medal of Merit |url=https://arynews.tv/en/gen-sharif-conferred-with-jordanian-medal-of-merit/ |access-date=2016-05-02 |website=arynews.tv|date=25 April 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=Staff Reporter |date=2016-04-26 |title=Jordanian medal of merit conferred on COAS |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1254465 |access-date=2016-05-02 |work=Dawn |location=Pakistan}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-04-26 |title=Medal of merit: Jordan decorates Gen Raheel with award |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1091769/medal-of-merit-jordan-decorates-gen-raheel-with-award/ |access-date=2016-05-02 |newspaper=The Express Tribune}}</ref>''' |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Order of Military Merit (Jordan) - Knight.png|width=130}} |}

==Effective dates of promotion==

{| class="wikitable" !style="background:#FFFFE0"|Insignia !!style="background:#FFFFE0"| Rank !!style="background:#FFFFE0"| Date |- |style="background:#9EFD38|frameless|30x30px 70px||style="background:#9EFD38|General, COAS||style="background:#9EFD38|Nov 2013 |- |style="background:#88EEEE;"|frameless|10px 55px||style="background:#88EEEE;"|Lieutenant General ||style="background:#88EEEE;"|Apr 2010 |- |style="background:#88EEEE;"|frameless|10px 35px ||style="background:#88EEEE;"|Major General||style="background:#88EEEE;"|Feb 2006 |- |style="background:#88EEEE;"|frameless|10px 16px||style="background:#88EEEE;"|Brigadier|| style="background:#88EEEE;"|June 2001 |- |style="background:#b2cefe;"|frameless|10px||style="background:#b2cefe;"|Colonel|| style="background:#b2cefe;"|July 1999 |- |style="background:#b2cefe;"|frameless|10px||style="background:#b2cefe;"|Lieutenant Colonel|| style="background:#b2cefe;"|May 1993 |- |style="background:#b2cefe;"|frameless|10px||style="background:#b2cefe;"|Major||style="background:#b2cefe;"| Oct 1984 |- |style="background:#e6e6aa;"|frameless|10px||style="background:#e6e6aa;"|Captain || style="background:#e6e6aa;"| Oct 1979 |- |style="background:#e6e6aa;"|frameless|10px|| style="background:#e6e6aa;"|Lieutenant || style="background:#e6e6aa;"| Apr 1977 |- |style="background:#e6e6aa;"|10px||style="background:#e6e6aa;"|Second Lieutenant||style="background:#e6e6aa;"| Oct 1976 |}

== Bibliography ==

* Din Ali Pirzada, ''Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif: Soldier and Statesman'', Karachi: Royal Book Company, 2016, 321 p.

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{Sister project links|Raheel Sharif|wikt=no|v=no|n=no|b=no|s=no|d=no|m=no|mw=no|voy=no|species=no|q=no}} *{{Cite news|title=Pakistan clears Saudi move to make Raheel Sharif head of Islamic Military Alliance|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/pakistan-clears-saudi-move-to-make-raheel-sharif-head-of-islamic-military-alliance/story-CFegcZyRqhIz9Q7mGz0uzK.html|date=1 April 2017|newspaper=Hindustan Times}}

{{S-start}} {{S-mil}} {{S-bef|before=Ashfaq Pervez Kayani}} {{S-ttl|title=Chief of Army Staff|years=2013–2016}} {{s-aft|after=Qamar Javed Bajwa}} {{s-end}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharif, Raheel}} Category:Living people Category:1956 births Category:People from Gujrat District Category:People from Quetta Category:Pakistani generals Category:Government College University, Lahore alumni Category:National Defence University (Pakistan) alumni Category:Pakistan Military Academy alumni Category:Bundeswehr University Munich alumni Category:Chiefs of Army Staff, Pakistan Category:Guerrilla warfare theorists Category:Recipients of Hilal-i-Imtiaz Category:Recipients of Nishan-e-Imtiaz Category:Foreign recipients of the Legion of Merit Category:Recipients of the Order of Military Merit (Jordan) Category:Frontier Force Regiment officers Category:Military snipers