[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 174 (Monday, December 5, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S6702]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO GENERAL RAHEEL SHARIF

  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize the 
accomplishments of General Raheel Sharif and to express my gratitude to 
him upon his retirement as Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff. General 
Sharif has been a vital partner for the United States in the battle 
against terrorism. Since taking office in November 2013, General Sharif 
has continued to target terrorists operating within the borders of 
Pakistan. He has carried the fight to the northwest frontier provinces 
of Pakistan, as well as promised to eliminate safe havens for 
terrorists from the country completely. In taking these actions, 
General Sharif has demonstrated that fighting against extremist groups 
is firmly in the national security interests of Pakistan.
  General Sharif comes from a military family, with a long tradition of 
patriotism and service to country. Among his many brave military family 
members, his older brother Major Rana Shabbir Sharif, who was killed in 
action, is regarded as the most decorated officer of the Pakistan Army, 
having received the three most coveted awards of the Army, and is 
fondly addressed as the army's ``Superman.'' This is a legacy difficult 
to live up to, but General Sharif has done so, honoring his brother and 
family's service, and continuing to serve and protect his country and 
its institutions.
  Since taking on the role of Chief of Army Staff, General Sharif has 
been at the forefront of fighting the Taliban and other terrorist 
groups inside Pakistan. In 2014, he initiated the launch of Operation 
Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan, a tribal area along the Afghanistan-
Pakistan border where militants had operated with impunity for decades. 
This operation didn't eliminate every terrorist, nor has it denied safe 
haven to many who continue to operate from Pakistan. But it has led to 
security improvements in the country, and this area is now safer than 
ever before. And importantly, the Pakistani Army is continuing to 
secure the gains it has achieved by building roads, border posts, 
schools, and healthcare facilities across North Waziristan to promote 
economic development and give citizens a more prosperous and peaceful 
future.
  In the south, General Sharif also took on the task of clearing 
Karachi, one of Pakistan's largest cities, of an array of terrorist 
organizations, criminal groups, and even political corruption. The 
results were equally impressive, leading to a dramatic decline in 
militant attacks and ending the kind of targeted killings, kidnappings 
for ransom, and extortion that had become a feature of life in the 
city.
  Much of the credit for the success of these operations is due to 
General Sharif and the service and sacrifice of tens of thousands of 
Pakistani soldiers who followed his lead. What was remarkable about 
General Sharif was not only the commitment he demonstrated to rooting 
out terrorism, but also his efforts to improve economic development, 
political life, and civic services for citizens throughout the country. 
He recognized that failure to focus on the root causes of 
radicalization, including economic and political corruption, had 
exacerbated the growth of extremism in Pakistan, and he showed 
foresight in seeking to remedy both cause and effect.
  This is the kind of leadership that is imperative for the continued 
improvement of relations between the United States and Pakistan, which 
is important for the stability of the entire region, and for the 
national security of both Pakistan and the United States.
  But despite the progress I witnessed firsthand when I visited 
Pakistan this past summer, the U.S.-Pakistan relationship has become 
strained. Among other things, limitations on U.S. assistance to 
Pakistan and congressional opposition to approve funding for the sale 
of defense articles have added to tensions between our two governments. 
But even with these difficulties, U.S. and Pakistani leaders cannot 
allow ambivalence and suspicion to fester in our relationship. Our 
common interests in counterterrorism, nuclear security, and regional 
stability are too important and too urgent. Both sides share 
responsibility to improve U.S.-Pakistan relations, and the United 
States must continue to make clear its enduring commitment to 
Pakistan's stability and economic growth.
  As we look to the future, there remains much to be done. While 
Pakistan has made progress in its fight against terrorism, the Haqqani 
Network continues to operate within its border, increasing cross-border 
attacks are carried out by armed militants on neighboring countries, 
and political corruption has stilted economic growth. Pakistan must 
demonstrate that the commitment to fighting terrorism and improving 
conditions in the country is not dependent on a single individual. In 
that spirit, I look forward to working with General Qamar Javed Bajwa, 
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's selection to be the next Chief of Army 
Staff. By taking on all terrorist groups operating in its country, 
Pakistan will find that the United States remains willing and able to 
assist in this fight and develop an enduring strategic partnership.
  I congratulate Pakistan on carrying out a second consecutive 
transition of power in the military, and I wish General Sharif well as 
he enters a well-earned retirement. He has vowed to serve Pakistan even 
after his retirement, and I would expect nothing less.

                          ____________________