Pakistan has agreed to allow former Army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif to head a Saudi Arabia-led 39-nation Islamic military coalition formed to combat terrorism, according to a media report. This was disclosed by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif in a programme on Geo TV.

The channel said, citing Mr. Asif, that though official documentation to issue a No-Objection Certificate had not been carried out, the government has agreed in principle to issue the permission because of a formal request from the Saudi leadership.

An advisory board, consisting of Defence Ministers from the member countries will attend a meeting on the issue in May, said Mr. Asif, adding the structure of the alliance had not been decided so far.

“When General (retd.) Raheel Sharif joins he will define a structure,” he said.

In January this year, Mr. Asif had informed the Senate that the former Army chief had not sought an NOC to lead a Saudi-led military alliance.

People from different sections — from politicians to retired Army officers, journalists and intellectuals — had all questioned the decision of a former Pakistani Army chief to join a foreign military alliance after his retirement.

According to Saudi Arabia, the alliance is aimed at fighting the Islamic State (IS) and other militant outfits.