The recent low key Nawaz Sharif visit to the US is over. The really meaningful visit would be that of General Raheel Sharif, for he not only has the battalions with him, he has the ISI, through which he exercises control on terrorist groups operating in the neighbourhood. A retired general is now the country’s National Security Advisor, replacing Sartaj Aziz. One more retired general is in charge of the Strategic Plans Division. The official spokesperson on security and important issues is a serving general. Finally, the real Cabinet in Pakistan comprises the Corps Commanders. And together, serving and retired generals run a large corporate empire in the country. The important personalities he meets, or organisations that host him, the entourage that accompanies him, the military establishments the general visits will be an indication of the importance that the US will give to this new soldier-statesman from Pakistan.

A Pakistani civil society worker carries a photograph of General Raheel Sharif during a peace rally in Islamabad in February, after the country stepped up its fight against militants following a massacre at a Peshawar school last year. Pic/AFP