LAHORE: Former army chief retired Gen Raheel Sharif has left for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to head a 41-nation military alliance on Friday, Aaj News reported. 

According to the reports, the news was confirmed by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. The reports suggested that the former chief of army staff was granted approval to serve as head of the alliance for three years.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif talked to the private news channel, said that former Army Chief had been given permission to head the military alliance after due process.

A special aircraft was arranged for Sharif, he was accompanied by his wife and mother on the flight reportedly.