Strongly condemning the act of terrorism, Kayani said, “The cowards who attacked Malala and her fellow students have time and again shown how little regard they have for human life and how low they can stoop to impose their twisted ideology.”
He said this is was not the first time that militants had targeted children, the attack on Parade Lane in Rawalpindi “was a reminder of their bloodlust.”
Quoting Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) saying that “the one who is not kind to children, is not amongst us”, Kayani said the militants did not have respect for the words of the Holy Prophet. He added that such inhumane acts clearly exposed the extremist mindset the nation was facing.
He said, “By attacking Malala, the terrorists have failed to understand that she is not only an individual, but an icon of courage and hope, which vindicates the sacrifices that the people of Swat and the nation had given for saving the valley from the plague of terrorism.”
Kayani said that Malala became a symbol for the values that the Army, with the nation behind it, is fighting to preserve future generations, a statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations said.
He said, “These are the intrinsic values of an Islamic society, based on the principles of liberty, justice and equality of man. Islam guarantees each individual – male or female – equal and inalienable right to life, property and human dignity, with faith and education as the chief obligations to achieve enlightenment.”
“We wish to bring home a simple message: We refuse to bow before terror. We will fight, regardless of the cost we will prevail,” he said. The COAS reiterated that the terrorists underestimated the resolve and resilience of the people of Pakistan.
“It is time we united and stood up to fight the propagators of such barbaric mindset and their sympathisers.”
COMMENTS (58)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1714034954-0/WhatsApp-Image-2024-04-25-at-1-48-04-PM-(1)1714034954-0-270x192.webp)
@gp65: They are not justifying Quran, they are only destroying Pakistan.Killing innocent people of my country. They should be punished. You plz dont support them. Thanks.
Well Said General Kayani. May Allah be with you. Crush the terrorists
Highly commendable step by the Chief. Visiting Malala at hospital shows he cares about the people.
All those saying actions not words. Remember Kayani's words are most powerful in Pakistan. and he has chosen his words very carefully. People need to stand behind armed forces and support them to crush ttp in Pakistan and outside. We know the TTP leadership hides in Afghanistan. Let's hit them there
@Ch. Allah Daad: Caught making political statements on a tragedy like this? Tsk Tsk Tsk
forget TTP. now im serious in doubt abt what is going on. now the army chief also have come to see her. who is this Malala. why so much hype around her. fine she is a brilliant girl and student who wants to something good for society but then there are lots of that kind of people. Me and lots like me also want to do something good for this country but no help is giving us. i can go out to do something good and get beated up by the police and no security is arranged for me or other innocents. forget abt all this girls education rights, hopes, dreams etc. crap. this is all propaganda. lots of families in big cities wants their girls to get an education but they cant even afford the transport and uniform. why dont you do anything for them. this all Malala media is getting out of hand. i smell something rotten abt it.
Today, if you are not standing with Malala Yousufzai and what she stood for and what she was shot for, education and dignity for all, then know that you are standing with Taliban monsters. This is not a Bush doctrine; This is a Universal-Love-and-Care-for-Children doctrine.
Not good enough Mr. COAS.. Stop patronizing Talibans and Mullahs
@True Muslim Paki (An Insafian): "Let me remind Kayani that all this is happening because drones are operating freely in Pakistan. This is also the results of WoT. "
Sorry buddy. The TTP statement taking responsibility makes NO reference to the drones. It makes specific reference to the fact that Malala sought non-shariah compliant education and hence she was against mujahideen and deserved to be punished. Your standard story has been negated by the TTP spokesman.
@Jinn: "All kind of extermisine would be eleiminate only when we all individual start beleiving Quran in letter and sprit and no other books"
You do realize that the TTP is also justifying their acion using Quran and Sunnah? How will your solution address the issue?
@Hussain: "These TTP, toys of jews and raw should be shot on sight. No mercy should be show to them".
Sorry if you listen to what they are saying, they are quoting Quran to justify their actions. According to them Malal was advocating a form of education that was not compliant with shariah (co-education, secular education - they probably mean non-madrassah education) and hence had to be kiled. Unless and until you acknowledge that TTP terrorists are Pakistanis and Muslims and they are being trained in mosques within Pakistan, you will not be able to address the root cause. Denial is not a river in Egypt.
Mullahs are as usual quiet...
Please take action against these Talibans
Kamal: PTI has condemned? OK - PPP has condemned Drone attacks. Ask PTI to stop blaming PPP.
True Generals and Chiefs... - don't issue statements of condemnation, they take actions. - they take actions without announcing or alerting the enemy, and speak only after fully destroying the enemy. - they seek ascendancy over the enemy, no matter how brutal, powerful, or resourceful it is. - they make sure the blood of every single soldier and civilian of the country doesn't go waste, and they hold the perpetrators responsible for every single drop of it. - they ensure their ranks are fully motivated and focused. They purge their ranks of any sympathy with the enemy - they do not allow a single inch of their territory to be out of their control. - they do not allow any part of the security apparatus to run their own foreign or domestic policies, because that may limit the options to deal with the enemy
My Dear fellow Pakistanis
Maulvi Ehsanullah Ehsan, the spokesman of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has just endorsed the attack on Malala Yusufzai. Everybody can guess that if Maulvi Ehsanullah Ehsan or even the actual assailants were to appear before the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the mullah would be honorably exonerated due to "lack of evidence". We all know that. My advice: Don't worry about Malala. She's better off without your prayers. Worry about yourselves.
Condemning the act is easy; condemning the "perpetrator of act" by name is difficult; taking stiff actions against them is more difficult; de-weaponizing all types of Lashkars (TTP, AFP, LeT, JeM) is bit more difficult; de-indoctrinized millions of brain-washed fanatics is more difficult. Closing of Madaris, the factories of terrorists is impossible.
Who will take action against Taliban (both good and bad) if they have weapons deadlier than those with police? It is your army General.
Do it NOW at this moment or it will be too late for you and Pakistan.
kill all Taliban then Pakistan will survive
Isn’t the area supposed to been cleared by the military years ago, we ask the general where he is spending the billions that the nation gives the Army, and such things can happen in daylight?
failure after failure of the Army and government!
imran khan is really brave leader. he still has guts to go face malala
PTI where is your condemnation.
I agree with Hussain. A public hanging in the square of the town / city where this incident occurred is justified. IT WILL SEND A VERY LOUD AND CLEAR MESSAGE TO THESE SAVAGES. All presently elected politicians, should NOT be re-elected. Why is there no law to publicly hang any individual responsible for terrorism in Pakistan ? Think about it. If death by hanging was instituted, all this terror would stop overnight, whether it is Karachi or the frontier. On the other hand, Pakistan's chickens are comming home to roost. " For evil to flourish .....all that is needed ....is for good people to do nothing " ????? Malala, a young, brave, dynamic girl is the future of Pakistan. Pakistan, has the capability and capacity to be a South Korea in 10 years.
ACTION Please not words. We would love to see TTP being wiped out by guns and not by mere words.
Yes, fine words but notice the, as usual, missing mention or use of the word "Taliban" as the perpetrators of the crime or as the enemy that is to be fought against. Why does he, and our political leaders for that matter, need to hide behind the cover of "terrorists"? Who are these terrorists? Is there any ambiguity left? They have owned up to their dastardly deed very proudly and added that they will try to kill her again if she survives. And yet we prefer to leave the nation divided with some still preferring not to call a a spade a spade.The fight against these dehumanized creatures will not succeed until we identify and condemn them and their ideology by name. But then how will we continue to support our "assets" at home and in Afghanistan who go by the same name? That is where the General and others of his ilk step back from speaking the truth, and condemn the invisible terrorists.
I am impressed with the words. - For the first time I have heard somebody in a real authority position (Pakistan Army) condemn an attack on civilian by the barbarians. - For the first time, they have blamed the 'extremist' mindset that plagues the country. - He has used the Islam religion to turn the tables on the extremists - by taking support of the holy book, he has tried to knock off the Taliban from their pedestal on which they claim to be the true followers. - For the first time they have not blamed USA, India or some other Foreign hand.
I think this guy might be a good candidate for future prime minister or President. He has the respect of the country and the army.
Well, that was a strong statement against the TTP by the Pak Army chief who also commended Salala brave stand against these cowards calling her as a icon of courage and hope. The General's wordings had been very carefully chosen with a mix of Islamic teachings, sacrifices, values and most importantly a call for unity to fight against the barbarians and their sympathizers which is a clear and motivating message for his soldiers who had developed a soft corner for TTP and also a call for support from people of Pakistan. The military should launch an offensive against TTP soon and give a crushing blow to them since majority of people in Pakistan hate these cowards now.
i think kiyani should care about his 30 soldiers killed on salala incident first, about 7 k soldiers and 40 k civilians killed in war on terror. responsibility is purely his as decisions are his
Lets take bullets now. lets take the fight ino enemy territory.
@Parvez:
Leaders in Pakistan can condemn only...................Pity!! Pity!!!
So, he has decided the 'bad' taliban shot Malala, not his 'good' taliban?
A commendable act. I wonder if the President or the PM will bother visiting the poor girl.
It bothers me a lot when those in power do not use more powerful language to show their determination to exterminate the perpetrators of such heinous acts which shake the whole nation. Mr. Kayani: the Pakistan of Jinnah is dying under your watch threatened by these extremists expanding their territory rapidly within our borders. At this point, you should take decisive actions utilizing all resources, or we may miss our final window of opportunity to deal with this menace. These sorts of incidents will continue to happen as long as our army and leadership is allowing even a single square mile of our territory to be out of the state control.
I appreciate this gesture by General Kayani.
Sir you have one million strong army with nuclear arms you are expected to take action and and fulfil your duties to protect every citizen of this country.Men in charge take actions and speak less.We don't need lectures we need results.
@Ch. Allah Daad: Outside of conspiracy theories, is there any evidence that the Military is supporting Imran Khan?
And quite frankly, given the policies and governance of the current PPP government, and in the past the PML-N leadership and government, Imran Khan comes across as the most progressive and liberal of the lot.
Pakistan has cruise missiles if not drones. Use them to take down TTP. What are we waiting for?
Very brave statement but actions are more important. First of all, stop supporting Taliban Khan. Taliban and their supporters are two sides of same coin.
Mr. Kayani, please explain to the nation why the army considers the likes of the attackers of Malala our national strategic assets? What are we achieving as a nation by being in their league? What will it take you to break your alliance with them?
Don't just condemn but make a genuine effort to squash the heads of these snakes that your institution fostered for such a long time.
Let me remind Kayani that all this is happening because drones are operating freely in Pakistan. This is also the results of WoT.
There has been mass condemnation of the incident, ranging from the lowest to the highest level of hierarchy. The question remains and i ask all the other powers that be.. is your condeming this incident the only action you're going to take or will something concrete be done to prevent future incidents. We Pakistanis are a resilient nation, we fall down and we get up - back on our feet taking every thing - the good, the bad and the ugly in our stride... but incidents like these shatter us to the core, we are repeatedly being subjected to every kind of horror mentally and emotionally and in several cases, physically... and if no measures are taken to correct all the wrongs, i fear the day is not far when all of us become devoid of emotions and feelings and words like empathy and logic become words of the past...
This visit shows that the Army - Pakistan's chief power broker - feels the need to project the image that it is no longer with the Taliban or with the other thousands of militants it has trained, armed, and financed. The overwhelming public condemnation of its policies over the last 30 years has finally penetrated the surface at least, to the point that the COAS is trying to cultivate a new image. But has the criticism reached the core? Has there been a sincere soul searching in the army's top leadership and a genuine break from the past? We don't know, but the future will tell
Yes, indeed. “It is time we united and stood up to fight the propagators of such barbaric mindset" ( and their sympathisers."). Now, who are the sympathizers? name them. Hmm, do I hear the names of those with veils of modernity and lovers of peace. Those who sit CNN and give us lectures about the anger of these barbarians and dare eqwuate them with normal peace loving Pakistani-Pashtoons. Those who claim & wish to give "peace a chance" through such means of brutal, murderous attacks on our children? Come on, call them by their names, just identifying them as "sympathisers" won't do any more.
Kudos to Kayani. Where are the religious leaders - mute as usual?
Soultion: All kind of extermisine would be eleiminate only when we all individual start beleiving Quran in letter and sprit and no other books. Because all different ideology which supposedly backed in the name of Islam is from all other books, which Quran declined them staright away. Second advantage of doing this InshaALLAH mercy will start coming in shape of humbleness and bortherhood and less Sects in society.
Shame on our political and religious leaders that cannot personally visit and openly and strongly condemn not just this act of terrorism and hate, but the ideology that drives this terrorism and hate, as Gen. Kayani has done.
Mr. Kyani! Only condemnation of the this inhuman act is not sufficient. You have to take practical step to eradicate this menace and eradicating this monster of radicalism cannot be done through military operations in Pashtun areas, but you have to dismantle the entire infrastructure that is sustaining this monster. You have to purge the Army, bureaucracy , and other organizations from the supporters and sympathizers of extremists.
I like what I'm hearing, but where is the action to back it up ?
Just like those redneck hippies in USA who scream "bomb Iran!" It's time for us to shout "bomb Waziristan!" Enough is enough, General, lets get rid of these pollutants once and for all.
A welcome statement from COAS and ISPR. However nothing from Imran or PTI still. I think the biggest takeway from the tragic episode of Malala's shooting has been the how the PTI and Imran have been exposed. ET you must publish my message as I am keen to hear from the PTI folks who are always ready to shower praises on the "Beloved Leader" but since yesterday have kept absolute silence.
Army and people of Pakistan should find those cowards and animal TTP militant and hang them publicly.
These TTP, toys of jews and raw should be shot on sight. No mercy should be show to them.
So please do something about it.............