ISLAMABAD:
The army chief did not rule out the possibility of a US ground offensive in North Waziristan, but told parliamentarians at a briefing on Tuesday that Washington will think ‘many times’ before launching such an attack.
“They [the US] might do it but they will have to think ten times because Pakistan is not Iraq or Afghanistan,” Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was quoted as telling members of parliament’s defence committees at a briefing at the General Headquarters that went on for over three hours.
Acknowledging that the US is pressing Pakistan to launch a military operation in North Waziristan, Kayani said that the ongoing build-up of Afghan and International Security Assistance Force (Isaf) troops along the Pak-Afghan border is a tactic to intensify that pressure.
“We have made it clear to the US that we will decide the timing of any such action according to our situation and capabilities. We have also told them that the problem lies within Afghanistan. If anyone convinces me that everything will be sorted out if we act in North Waziristan, I will take immediate action,” a parliamentarian, requesting anonymity, quoted Kayani as saying.
General Kayani’s statement came hours after senior Afghan defence officials said the country’s security forces and their Nato allies have launched a new push against the Haqqani network.
(Read: Afghanistan, NATO launch 'new push against Haqqanis')
Leaving no ambiguity over reasons for the operation, an Afghan defence ministry official told AFP on condition of anonymity that the action was tied to recent spats between Washington and Islamabad. While he declined to specify the operation’s scope, another senior official from the ministry said it was “largely against the Haqqani network”.
According to Afghan Defence Minister Abdul Rahim Wardak, the operation has been codenamed “Knife Edge” and was launched two days ago. “This operation is launched along the border because the enemy lately operates along the border on both sides. Sometimes on this side and sometimes on the other side,” Afghan Chief of Army Staff Sher Mohammad Karimi said.
General Kayani said that Pakistan had handed over its position on Afghanistan to the Obama administration in writing in 2010 and had asked the Americans to elaborate on their position but they had not done so. “We have long-term interests in Afghanistan, others might have short … For short-term gains, we cannot lose [sight of] our long-term interests,” the army chief said.
But responding to a question on Pakistan’s interests in Afghanistan, Kayani sought to dispel the perception that Pakistan was seeking so-called strategic depth in Afghanistan.
(Read: Pakistan needs strategic depth)
“We cannot leave both our eastern and western borders insecure,” Kayani asserted. “It is wishful thinking to achieve strategic depth in Afghanistan. The Russians tried, the Brits tried, the Americans are trying. We don’t have a magic wand,” a participant quoted Kayani’s response.
However, Kayani did not deny that Pakistani secret agencies maintained contacts with ‘certain elements’ within the hierarchy of Afghan insurgent groups. “That is where we get our information, the intelligence, from,” he yielded. “The important thing is how we use the information gathered from these elements. You can do it positively and negatively.”
‘No need for US aid’
In a press release issued by the military after a recent corps commanders’ meeting, Kayani is said to have stressed that the Pakistan Army does not need US aid and that he had told American officials that he means what he said.
“We got only 25% of the aid from the Kerry-Lugar Act. Pakistan Army has no objection if the US converts its military aid into civilian assistance,” he said.
(Read: From chorus to crescendo - ‘Ties with Haqqanis’ threaten civilian aid)
Stressing on civilian responsibility for peace, he said that the military can only secure areas where it conducts operations, but civilians need to take control and maintain law and order.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 19th, 2011.
COMMENTS (124)
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I must repeat "jis rizq se aati hae parwaz maen kotahi( Friends but not Masters) I will add friends but not terrorist.
Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.We Pakistanis are proud of our Pakistan Armed Forces and we are always with and behind them under any circumstances either war or peace.May Allay bestow upon our armed forces His greatest and endless favors and blessings forever in the world and may give them courage and bravery to defend Pakistan,Pakistan's nation and Pakistan's sovereignty,integrity and self-reliance Aameen.Pakistan Armed Forces long live.
Usman It is the sworn duty of every personnel of the Armed forces to defend and uphold the intregity of Pakistan, Pakistan Army is not doing any favours to the elected Govt. or the Nation or any political Party. They have taken the oath to defend and are paid to do this, Please dont try to potray this as a favour by the Armed forces to the elected Govt or the Nation. I am happy to hear Gen. Kiyani is resisting the pressure from the US but defending Pakistan is his duty, He shouldnt have a choice on the subject
@ JK.. India is not itching for war. India is just preparing for an unstable Pakistan getting into further chaos. As we see, Pakistani problems are going to persist for years to come. With sliding world economy and Pakistan's own economy in doldrums, future does not look bright. Pakistan is no where near solving her problems because she fail to see the real root cause. In India we will not like the debris of Pakistan falling on our heads.
@Marc you are telling a bad boy to become a well behaved, obedient, hardworking. a mischievous to turn around in 180. man that is what the whole world is advising pakistan to come in senses of 21st century. lets see, what remarks you will get here.
@ Robinson: And apparently the US generals have a habit of talking through their hats. Just because Mullen says so does not make it so. He's clearly clueless on what to do next and has been doing what most people do i nsuch situations - point fingers.
@faraz: army signed SEATO and CENTO for its own gains army raised 5 infantry divisions from that money and because of that we are standing against indians, that was our necessity and americans were not paying us because they liked us very much but to use us against russians. everyone country has her own interests, and u should talk about the baghdad pact as well where we said we will not use this force against indians but we did in 1965 going against baghdad pact .so they work for thier interests and we for ours and for that one has to make some compromises and thats what we did before and what we are doing now.
@ Assad - each and every country has its own set of problems, all the problems that you have mentioned are India's own problems and has nothing to do with Pakistan. These problems will not affect Pakistan in any way. But, extremism in Pakistan will affect India as it has been affecting for decades. Trust that clarifies.
@ On the border
Mr. Border, First of all there is no one in this Universe who doesn’t need any prayers or duas. Nobody in this world is so powerful to be excluded of this. Secondly Duas can never be wasted and I am not a type of person like you who think duas can be wasted. Regarding Iran, They believe in God yes and they believe in themselves also. Thirdly, yes I hate USA and I am using this blog to show my anger towards her. Our main problem is that we blame our neighbor, USA and Israel just because we don’t believe in ourselves. You know why US couldn’t do any wrong with Iran because Iranian people follow a Person who always stand in front of enemy and sacrifice HIS whole family for the sake of GOD which we Pakistani don’t do. I am not going to discuss it further as it will become a religious discussion which I normally avoid. I advise you to give up being a slave of US and Israel and think positively and be Pakistani.
@Tariq: Rightly said our COAS should have taken a bolder stand. A better statement could have been we will make US pay 10 times more than what they have encountered in Afghanistan if they enter our sovereign lands.
@Gupshup: India is deperately trying to draw a wedge between US and Pakistan."
HahaahhahahahHohohohohohohohoh.
Imran Khan give the best pathway for peace in the region. He will end all ties with the US, and keep it at a minimum. Im sure he will support Afghan peace which involves the full and complete withdrawal of US and NATO because their presence is the obstacle to peace, and that is the only acceptable outcome that Afghans have. There is nothing else to it.
Imran Khan for President, Imran khan for Justice, and Imran Khan for Peace
indians stay out. you are not welcomed and never will be
@Gupshup
The US meddling is the obstacle to ever lasting peace in the region. The end of foreign meddling is the only path to peace within the region as a whole. Regional nations ought to come together and have a unified opposition to end foreign meddling in the region.
The recent false Iran plot against Saudi Arabia cooked up by desperate spies is testament to how low and far some will go in the face of looming gloom.
The US is no longer a superpower. Wake up and smell the coffee. Iran is doing well without US. Pakistan has not done well by having a association with the US.
Independence is most crucial, nothing else outlasts it.
Salutes sir , if they come I will quit my university and join army
@Adil Pervez: Please answer this simple question. Why go to China when you have 300 nukes???
Reading comments from Pakistan, it feels they really dont need or care for democracy. From outside its difficult to understand why they cant fight terrorists together alongwith USA. They are more worried about US attack on Waziristan than goons like TTP or Haqqanis. The support for Army and ISI which we feel is most responsible for taking Pakistan to brink is amazing really.
Not that i doubt our forces or anything....We right now do not have the 'capability' to launch an operation against dirty talibans but we can totally stop any attack from ISAF forces? Pls enlighten me.
Basically Kayani is opening the gate for American action on thugs, without saying so.
There has never been any accountability for Military Generals in Pakistan, which is why Kiyani and Pasha are behaving in such a reckless manner. Kiyani can't do anything against drone attacks and May 2nd raid but is blustering against US Ground Forces operation.
Now it is the time for Pakistan to restore its pride and dignity which was thrown away by that nasty Musharraf. Nows the time to end the drone strikes once and for all, and to join with Iran in telling the US to leave the region in its entirety. Nows the time, to up the ante as they call. No more refusals, start making demands.
No people can ever rise until they have stood for themselves.
There can be no stability in the region until US leaves once and for all. Last decade has shown they have failed, and have only created instability, and subsequently drained their economy beyond recovery.
It is high time, the region ushers in time of peace. No to wars, and no to US.
“They [the US] might do it but they will have to think ten times because Pakistan is not Iraq or Afghanistan,” — General Kayani
I can assure Pakistan, the US Army thinks 11 times before launching each drone before launching it in the 12th second.
To tell the truth, US thought 12 times before launching Operation Geronimo, but launch it they did. In future too, US promises to think a lot and do even more.
When I hear Pakistanis talking about taking on the US, the sole Super Power on this Earth, for protecting the Haqqanis, a Terrorist group by all accounts, I am reminded of the quote,"When Gods decide to destroy someone, they first make them mad".
Who in their sane minds would prefer taking on the US, instead of taking on a rag tag bunch of Terrorists?
Pakistan ZIndabad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! nation is with Pakistan Army and Faith in Allah
Sounds like a place called Armageddon . . .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8kd5t4Vabw
@True Pakistani: So you choose to pry for countries who "do not need" prayer or on whom "duaa" or "bad-duaa" neither works. Such a waste! Why did not you pray fro Iraq when it's citizens were bombed ? Why did not pray for Somalians when their war lords were looting , mutilating, killing people every day ? Where were your prayers ? Or your prayers are only selective ? To share your opinion and comment here in blog is your right, but why waste words just for sake of showing how much you hate USA ? Instead of just showing this childish attitude of chest thumping against everybody and anybody who does not agree with you, how about understanding the crux of problem and fixing it ? Even lets say 90 % of our problems are inflicted by our neighbor and the USA, there is still the 10 % we have to work upon. What are we doing about it ? It has become our habit to blame all our mis fortune on the neighbor , USA, Russians, Israel.....also aliens from Mars. We wasted 67 years on this blame game and nothing good for ourselves. If you want to understand what other countries really think of our country, step out of your four walls, you blog here so you have internet access, use it to learn more than propaganda articles and avoid freternety with like minded propagandanist.
Do you think Zardari is equal's to Abraham Lincoln? Nawaz is like G Washington? And Altaf as Rosevelt. Karachi as Philadelphia and Islamabad is responsible as Washin D.C. Then I am with the current government with the war against US.
@Adil Pervez: Reality check. China has never helped your country in any conflict. Shame on you for showing such subservience to China. First they take over your armed forces, next they occupy Pakistan like they did with Tibet & Xinjiang.
@Ahmed Chaudhry: No one needs to impose anything on Pakistan. It is on a path of self-destruction.
@Usman: Not really. The reason that the army steps in is that the civilian government does not have the authority to do anything without the army's approval.
If he's afraid to take on the Taliban -- is it realistic that he thinks he can take on the American's - I think not. More Pakistani bluster.
The people are rallying behind the army, just as they did in 1971. You know the consequences.
Guess what they had already thought about it a year back 9 times .. this is the tenth sadly ;)
Kiyani, our hearts go out to you with trust and confidence. You have been brave in action and caring in attitude for the nation. We have seen it and felt it. We are proud of such a son of the soil like you and your whole team of Valiant Soldiers. Stand firm with the external aggressors, and equally firm with an effective control on the internal corrupt and inefficient political thieves, I don't call them leaders, as they fail each and every test of leadership. The whole nation stands with you, the army, shoulder to shoulder. InshaAllah.
Bravo Biryani!
@Imran: What makes you think that if he does have a plan-b, c, or whatever, he considers you worthy enough to share it with you? All that says is you consider yourself more knowledgable in these matters, which I can safely assume is not the case. Let the people who know what they're doing best, do their job. Sip your tea and take a seat.
@ashok sai: holla, there goes the regular indian response, like kids saying "present" to the morning attendance in school !!! The same paragraph with moving positions of words, comes form all the folks across the border from the worlds biggest demnocracy. Harsh to hear truth and ctiricism about yourself but always ready like bagwaan ke jantha or kudae khidmathgaar to criticize others, isn't it. Alas like a 'call center" there was a "criticism center" as well, could have opened a lot of jobs for our neighbors. Keep up the work, your royal highness..
@Anwar: I dont think Kayani had defeatist policy in mind. It is you who read it in that mindset. He said US "may" and ofcourse for that matter anybody "may". The important thing is what you do about. He is just cautious. He knows what he is doing, that is his profession not yours.
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9....WATCH OUT!
@JK: Mediocre Pakistani: pls do not refer to Mr Zardari like that or prove it.
@Ahmed Chaudhry:
Collusion with coward Indians? That's quaint claim from nation which surrendered 90,000 soldiers by laying down their arms at the feet of Field Marshal Manekshaw.
with three days of strategic oil reserve, what will Kiyani do, but voice empty threats?
Its very unfortunate that the army is determining the foreign policy of the country. Politicians are better equiped to determine the foreign policy because they are flexible while generals are not. The constitution should be amended to allow people to elect the generals and judges which will empower them to dabble in politices and in matters they have no business with.
Ahmed Choudhry : Why dont you concentrate on fighting with America. Why are u obsessed with India. We all know about Pak army in 1965, 1971 and Kargil. The only ignonimous surrender by any national army was that of Pakistan. And u guys talk of ghiarat and stuff like that, All sound and light show for mass consumption.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: Be happy! We are heading fast to become another North Korea. Noth something to be proud off.
About five months ago, where were the Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and the Army when US ventured a successful ground offensive, just beside the Army Academy (Abbottabad), to kidnap, kill and throw the body in an ocean of an old man by the name of Ben-Laden?
@Assad:
You are very much qualified for a fiction story writer, expecting more from you.
What are our politicians doing. We should immediately ask China to help us. The country's defences should be given to China. China is our friend.
A strong message for incoming Hill Clinton!!
@Sacha Pakistani:
Yeah i pray for the well being of Iran and see US couldnt do any thing wrong with it. Similar is the case with North Korea.
Have you ever think that why US couldnt do any thing with Iran. Simply becouse they believe in God.
Just remember the battle of Badar in which the massive force of Kuffar could even hurt the very little force of 33 muslim.
If you are a muslim and believe in God then you will have faith in prayers.
Any mediocore Pakistani can sense that India is itching for war and the Indian trolls are drooling with the prospect of war. India will always be Pakistan's arch enemy and no one should be blind or in denial as India's action speak louder than words. As it stands, India is colluding with othe nations to harm Pakistan. The civillian government has wrecked the internal security within almost all cities resulting in a blood bath of innocent civillians. Other than Afghan border, borders with India should be sealed too and senseless steps should be avoided such as rewarding India with MFN status etc etc. opening train or bus routes etc etc. as that would seem very dumb making it easier for India's intelligence to spy on and undermine Pakistan during these critical times when an undeclared war is already being waged. Focus should be on internal and external security for after all it was under this government's watch that the country lost its peace and security, leaving a big mess for the Army.
Vienna,19-10-2011 The reality is, America today is healing sergeon.Millions of issues re analyzed minutely befeore an action taken that ends as successfully as May 1/2 operation.Troika leader Kayani should be congratulated however for talking in terms of a thinking adversary. Suicide mongers even mass suicide need not think but commit suicide. I do hope in proportion at least one percent, that includes 180 millions including minority of Pakistan are sane to assert themselves and save the nation of land of the inpure. Taravadu Taranga Trust for Media Monitoring TTTMM India --Kulamarva Balakrishna
It will not be bad idea, if USA attacks North Waziristan. Pakistan will get some relief from terrorism.
@Bangash: @John B:
Both you gentlemen must read carefully what COAS Kayani said in his briefing to the both the sub-committees.
COAS Kayani said, in 2010 Pakistan clearly outlined its status on Afghanistan in writing i.e. in black and white; for the coming years but the Obama administration has not as yet replied stating their position. Obviously there exists a hiatus leading to suspicion.
In so far as the Pakistan Armed forces having learnt from the May 02 2011 and Mehran Base incidents, only time will tell. With such high stakes involved, pessimism does not rule my thoughts but faith in ALLMIGHTY ALLAH but (1) keep your camel tied to a stake when you are resting in the desert and, (2) keep your powder dry when crossing a river.
Please accept my Salams.
@Ahmed Chaudhry: Some people never learn. And you are the best example.
not a brave comment, consists of many excuses, admiration and escaping loops, but enough to convince, please pakistanis
@Usman: Keep saying this and by the policy that your army is following there will be no civilians left to form a civilian government. Dude any government be it democracy or dictatorship or communism wil have faults, but it is democracy where you are allowed a say. The other 2 take it for granted that something is right for you whether it actually is or not. Take for example your general here is already expecting an US action in his own territory and at the back of his mind he already knows what will happen in the case of a confrontation. but for the public's sake he issues a statement which the media will put up for people like you to read and feel safe.. But are you really safe?? Ask the question to yourself and you will know that if you really were your security establishment would not have the necessity to issue such statements just for the masses sake..
@from india: hello, in as much as the other folk is not right, you should stop lecturing and betterd focus on the more then 320 million poorest of poor in your own country. WE have problems here and we know how to solve them and we will. Handle Asaam, threepoora, nagalan and Kashmir. Tame mumbai and the gangs there. FIx Gujarat where slaughtering of minorities is the scene of the day and put a barrier to it so it won't spread to Rasjistan. oversee UP so the deaoband won't have to impose there fatwas on us and export the real base of extremism. and it go on and on.The vicious list of terrible problem that you are hiding behind the label of shining india with the help of a strong media (admitting that), is nothing but a facade of bubble economy and a country that is so arrogant with all her problems that she has literally no friend in neighborhood. Change your mind for you can't change the neighbors.
“They [the US] might do it but they will have to think ten times because Pakistan is not Iraq or Afghanistan,” -- General Kayani
Well, it is the same Army that India defeated/held at bay in numerous wars. Fighting the Americans with their own technology (F-16, et al) will be another ball-game.
The Vietnam analogy does not work here - because China/Russia will not intervene like they did in the case of Vietnam.
Apprieciate the courage of Pakistani establishment in recent days......But why is Pakistani Army coming in forefront and giving these statement is to just earn the public sympathy......Ideally talks like these should go through elected leadership with Army Support........I support the cause but not the means
@Ahmed Chaudhry: The time has come for the independence of Balochistan to be sealed. You can try your best, the writing is on the wall. When Pakistan couldnt save Bangladesh where it had a weak India against it, you certainly must be dreaming of saving Balochistan when the Americans have decided against it. All the best. The world will sit and watch you being bombed.
@aCommonMan: wait a while and you will hear "us will take over just waziristan" and then after 2 - 3 years, you will hear "us will just come into Khyber Pukhtunkhwa" and so on, untill there is no more.
what.....?? Mr kiyani y dont you said tht we wont allow a US offense on Pak lands?? what the hell is this abt 10 times thinking? every militry operation launched after well calculations and thinking of many consiquencies and possible comeouts ...why you not asserted to retliate of a US/NATO attack.??? if you really want to secure long terms objectives and intersts of Pakistan..you hv to stand couragious and bold ..we (pak nation) as whole is standing with you.>!!!<
The comments reveal that Pakistani people are in awe of their armed forces and adore them. In present world I think Pakistan is the only country where this phenomena is happening. God bless the country and its people.
@ Ahmed Chaudhry - coward Indians ? really ? thats why you had occupied kargil when there was no indian army during severe winters, only to lose it after a brief war ?
we indians are sensible enough not to attack pakistan, because, it will hurt our own economy and make our poor even poorer, which we can't certainly afford !! and the worse will happen to your country if you go for a war right now, be it with india or america !!
@Anwar: Non-sense!
It is not a defeatist policy, he didn't say that US would occupy or win our territory;
He just said that because of their hegemonic & arrogant attitude, they can try to cross the border; which we'll react dreadfully, inshAllah.
I think that's not an 'excuse' by anyone.A military leader should sensible enough to judge the situation and predict the actions enemy might take, and prepare accordingly. I'm glad that's what our military leader has done. Saying that the US can attack does not imply that it can occupy the land. It actually helps prepare our forces for a better defence by staying alert when we expect the worst. 'Hope for the best, Prepare for the worst'; so we are hoping for the best, but if any such attack happens, I'm confident we are prepared for that too.
@True Pakistani: Has any of your prayer come true yet ??? Your words reflects hopelessness. You are expecting something so miraculous that you know very well in your heart that it is actually going to be exactly the opposite. So ...pray hard.....make them your last prayer ;)
Saddam made similar statements.
Bravo Kayani Sahab, Bravo.
Who made him a general. This position is all about wargames considering all possible scenarios, and strategies. In this case, the "visionary" general does not seem to have a plan-B. What if the US has already thought 10 times? Then what?
Sour Grapes !!!! Is it not the same army that asked for Drone Technology, Night Vision goggles, Helicopters and F-16's. Now they know USA shall not give a penny. So far, Army has received the bulk of US aid. Now that the bowl is empty, Kayani is passing it to the civilian government. Obama is very intelligent. Do not underestimate him and USA. Kayani's statement that Pakistan is not Iraq or Afghanistan is true as Pakistan is now equated with Somalia. Yes, Kayani shall choose his own timing and convenience. Only that it shall coincide with the orders of USA. Overall, Kayani's briefing shows his attitude that the Army shall make all choices and does not even bother to ask the Parliament for any suggestion. Stopping supply routes have proved failure as it shall hurt Army and Pakistan more. Imran tried it but had to back out after one dharana at the wishes of the Army. Finally USA is and shall be the winner and need not look for any scapegoats. For all his tall talks of sovereignty, Kayani concedes that USA can act unilaterally.
firstly., the briefing should hasve been held in parliment.and not in the ghq. secondly,we may not be iraq or afghanistan but, then we are dealing with america and not with the ussr. thirdly,our army has lost all the wars it has started. therefore lets not get carried away by jingoism. if we are surrounded by enemies,should we not take a moment, and start making a serious effort to pacify this dangerous situation by using diplomacy instead of hollow threats. lets not destroy our nation any further but make an effort to save it.
Good example of unrealistic self images. You can't take on any significant outside force and survive because you've gone and surrounded yourselves like fools. The moment a significant outside force ends up taking a great deal of your military attention every single militant group, including TTP, is not going to ignore the chance to use it to their advantage. You can't hold any defensive ground even in your own country anymore due to the enemies within. The ones you favor certainly wouldn't come to your rescue either. For some reason I really can't see Haqqani taking on TTP for Pakistan. You will be put into a corner so fast you won't have time to think twice let alone ten times.
US lost Kayani when the drone killed 50 Pakistani elders in a meeting in northern areas.
@John B:
we Pray for the complete disaster and elimination of US from this Universe.
Despite generous US aid Pakistan always plays a duplicitous role on war on terror. Terming Pakistan as the ''epicenter'' for global terrorism, our military's topmost official outgoing Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has said extremism cannot be defeated without eliminating state sponsored safe havens in the country. A British friend of mine once told me that for Pakistani Generals it is the quality of their Hat that is important not what is under it.
this really make some sense now. we are sick of their threats after threats, if you really want some then come and get some... because you'll not fight with just the Pak Army but whole Pakistan.....
so better think 100 times than 10 times.....
Ahan,,,nice "STATEMENT".....
Interesting comment, but a lame excuse by army for possible American attack on N Waziristan, Americans are not going to leave Afghanistan without taking out the Taliban support in FATA region
Bravo; well done; say NO to American and SAVE Pakistan
It is time for the americans to bomb these terrorists back to the stone. The whole world knows that all this is nothing but grandstanding. Even Mushy tried but when told the reality of being bombed back to the stone age, came to senses and bowed before his Lord, USA. It is about time Kiyani bows or else he will be made to bow by being bombed back to the stone ages.
@the Skunk wrote COAS Kayani! This man is with you and the armed forces.
The army is like a fence eating the field. Enough stench emanating from all corners already, thanks to the skunks and the Lemmings!
They [the US] might do it but they will have to think ten times because Pakistan is not Iraq or Afghanistan,
11th time sure they will act, after all Pakistan is not China or Russia.
USA is a beast, survive by sucking blood of the human beings.
I am shocked that Gen Kayani has defeatist policy in mind. He says US can attack in Waziristan. As a protector of Pakistan he should never say that any enemy will occupy our land. He should do all that he can to stop that infiltration from Afghanistan. If he has this attitude then he should leave military to some other able General.
Sir, not 10 times but 1000 times, It is scheduled.
Pakistan is neither Afghanistan, nor Iraq.
In the testing times, the entire Pakistani nation is standing behind Pakistan Army.
What we need is a leader who can deal with US similar to the political and military leaders of Venezuela and North Korea.
US do not talk with Venezuela or North Korea in the same language like US talks with Pakistan.
Is there any person in Pakistan who can talk in the same language with US like Mr. Hugo Chavez of Venezuela or Mr. Kim Jong il, the Supreme Commander of the Korean’s People’s Army?
Pakistan takes financial assistance from US and thus has to follow the instructions of “His Master’s Voice”.
Guess what would have been Musharraf's reaction if he would have been COAS and would have been pressurized by Americans the same way. Musharraf handed over the whole country on just one phone call from Mr. Bush. Salute to Kiyani, he is a brave man. Americans have been pressurizing him for military operation in N.W since he become COAS.
bravo kayani... if he says all military aid can be converted to civil aid..i guess we should shed away our misperceptions
I do agree with USMAN that the root cause of or deteriorated situation is this govt. where top to bottom is corrupt and Segregate from their responsibilities as PM and President. they could not face the US-NATO conspiracies rather become their part as Gen.Musharaff did. Gen.Musharraf allowed CIA to strengthened their covert network while this govt facilitate India as MFN most favorite nation which will Ultimately produce the same results and RAW will also establish its covert network. They are supposed to be responsible and lead the nation or else quit the position.
Brief, crisp and to the point. That's how a statement should be. That's how one should spell out his policy. I must salute you General for a clear cut message to US thus drawing the line between Pak and US which US must not cross at any cost. The option of converting military aid into civilian assistance by you is a well gesture, well received and applauded. We will give Armageddon to anyone who asks for it.
@Usman
Army signed the SEATO CENTO, entered into Afghan jihad and war on terror, and army is the main beneficiary of the US aid. Our army is built on US money, weapons and training. Which defiance are you talking about? And I am sure you think we won the war of 1965; no we didnt.
Except for blocking supply lines, Pakistan can do nothing to counter the air superiority of US air force
Very interesting. USA needs to freeze all IMF, WB assistance and impose trade and diplomatic sanctions targetting army/ISI if it wants a change of behaviour. It will work miracles. But US is not smart. Until then its just talk from USA and it has no value and Mr Kayani knows that.
Its a bet that Taliban can never be beaten ... They only get multiplied
Waziristan operation will prove to be 'The Last Nail in the coffin for Army' and 'The Rise of new nation in the face of Taliban' ... So choose your options very carefulty
If they attack, does it really matter how many times they thought before they did it. I guess this is a poor excuse for an imminent attack in the future.
COAS Kayani! This man is with you and the armed forces. Whatever you are doing is in the interest of the country and you and your associates know more on defense matters than any one of these junkie politicians. "Paindoos" to be precise.
We will support you and the armed forces with everything at our disposal and yes sir, we will. You will not find us lacking in our resolve to defend the country. Thank you for reading this and may ALLAH ALLMIGHTY bless you and the armed forces. Salams.
I am glad that Kayani is speaking up for Pakistan's interests. Pakistan must not be allowed to become a scapegoat for the failures in Afghanistan.The West is looking for a scapegoat instead of looking at their own policies. If the West is serious about partnership with Pakistan in rooting our terrorism and criminality, they should act in good faith and not criticise unfairly. Pakistan has already made the greatest sacrifices the past few decades. As for the Afghans, they are simply Indian puppets who will use any opportunity to bad mouth Pakistan. Pakistani officials must remember the acts of deeds of the Afghanistan government in the coming years. Step one would be to seal the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Looks like Army learned nothing from May 2nd raid or PNS Mehran incident, not to mention 30 years of violence and madness in Pakistan as a result of policies of strategic depth.
I am most of all sorry for Quaid-e-Azam, the country he founded is ruled and ruined by Military Generals.
Ok, what is his position on Waziristan and how he intent to solve this problem, for PAK.
Americans came up with some solution-it is not acceptable for PAK -ok
Never heard a solution from PAK side. Only "our timing and choosing" speech repeatedly from PAK.
PAK modus operandi for Waziristan mess?
I like it !!!!!!!!!!!! We all like it ***** I cannot think of any Pakistani who will not like it !!!!!!!