WASHINGTON: Finance Minister Ishaq Dar has defended the government`s decision to allow former army chief Gen Raheel Sharif to head the Saudi-led military force.

At a news conference at the Pakistan Embassy, he disagreed with a journalist who suggested that Gen Sharif`s decision to head the Islamic force was controversial.

The minister said the Saudis had asked him to head the force when he was still the army chief, but the government rejected the proposal because that would have been controversial. `We waited for Gen Sharif to retire. It is an honour for the country that he heads a force of over 30countries. If Pakistan had not, somebody else would have.

The decision to allow the general to head the Islamic force was the right decision, he added. `Were we going to be pleased had it been given to another country? No. We are happy that it is headed by a Pakistani. It is a positive development for Pakistan.

Mr Dar urged the critics to look at the terms of reference of this force. `This force will be used in the war against terrorism and we are fighting that war too, here at home.

He said the government did not allow Gen Sharif to head the proposed force when he was still the army chief because that `would have brought the army as part of the same command and that would not have been appropriate. Now that he has retired,itis appropriate.