Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani meeting PML-N Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: AFP
The militant attacks that have plagued the country in recent times were brought up and the meeting sought to identify ways of countering incidents related to terrorism.
Matters pertaining to border security were also detailed. Earlier in the day, two students were injured during “unprovoked” shelling by the Indian army near Batal sector, Line of Control (LoC).
Amongst other things, the meeting also sought to discuss the implications of the changing political situation of Afghanistan.
The newly elected government has faced mounting challenges in the shape of militancy that claimed over 100 lives during May elections and over 50 lives in June so far, including assassinations of two Khyber Pakhtunkhwa elected lawmakers.
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@Manoj: Nawaz Shareef is currently holding the Defence ministry.Perhaps thats why.
@Pakistani: "Further no Army chief should salute to pm as it can demoralize armed forces." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Then all the armed forces of this world other than Pakistani are demoralized.!
@Polpot: Both Pakistan and India must demilitrise the country from political scene by eturning them to their barracks. Both ountries need a National army and not a colonial army.
This is not easy considering that most miltary families are also represented in civilian society as civil servants and politicians. The times of keeping an elephant for protection no longer exists beause of modern weaponry. The developing countries must take the leap towards civilisation which the Europeans undrwent centuries ago.
Rex Minor
"PM meets army chief to discuss new security policy" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ CORRECTED: PM guides the army chief re the new security policy. There is no equivalence between the elected PM and the appointed & twice extended tenured COAS.
@Syed A. Mateen: "PAKISTAN ZINDABAD" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ I hope u dopnt mind my also stating "INDIA ZINDABAD".
@Manoj:
Such protocols can be compromised in circumstances like War against Terrorism. If people of a Country Head are dying then he must take Army Chief on board as much as he feels beneficial for his nation.
ETribune, Please re-check your heading >> We are living in a democracy and we should support democratic forces more.
The heading should have been "Army Chief Meets PM not PM Meets Army Chief" :( A slight change can make the difference !!!!
Every one is commenting on the picture, which seems to me to be old. May be one from those APCs called by previous government; hence Assfand Yar Wali in the back ground.
@Manoj: In pre independence India the Commander in Chief was second in precedence to the Viceroy . Nehru was a patriot , freedom fighter ( spent 17 years in British Jails ) , a thinker and a statesman . The list of Protocol that he drew put the Chief of Army at number 12 below the President , Vice President , Prime Minister , Union Mimisters , Governors of States , Chief Ministers of States , Chief Justice of India , Attorney General and then the Chief of Army Staff .The credit for India never having had an army coup should go to the foresight of our founding fathers . Our founding fathers lead by Mahatama Ghandi and Padit Nehru ,while fighting for Indian independence also developed a vision of what they wanted independent India to be . Even prior to independence the Congress working committee had deliberated and passed , thought though , resolutions on independent India's foreign policy , Affirmative action for weaker sections of the society , Industrial policy , Education policy and most important Secular nature of its polity among others . At independence India was very fortunate to have a pre agreed road map . We do owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to our founding fathers who not only fought for our independence at great personal suffering but also planted the seeds of the greatness that as a nation we will achieve .
Nawaz and Kiyani are meeting frequently to discuss Load Shedding! +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Believe it or not .
@Rex Minor: "Besides, one guesses that they were discussing the retirement date for Kyani." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Poor topic for discussion. The rules are very clear and unlike Gilani who extended Kiyanis terms for favors, Nawaz does not need any. No discussion on Kiyanis retirement......let him fade into the sunset.
“unprovoked” shelling by the Indian army. Really?
@Midhat: That's such a bollocks! Pakistan's bureaucracy, judiciary, and armed forces have harmed pakistan more than any politicians/political leaders.
@Manoj: first correct your sentence PM is meeting army chief. why you indians are taking interest in our country this is not your concern!!! and by why we dont need your nehru.
@Syed A. Mateen:
Mr. Mateen, I second your statement in its entirety.
However Pakistanis in general need to become more proactive towards spreading education and need to have a resolve as individuals that they will not participate in any kind of corruption.
If individual businessmen, industry owners, shopkeepers etc refuse to give in to the demands of briberies, they might face hardships in the short run but it will be the start of a big change and a change in the right direction
Warm regards..
@Manoj: PM Nawaz is also the Defence Minister. He has not given the portfolio to anyone. So it is fine to meet with Army Chief.
@Manoj: If it weren't for Army some of these Corrupt Civilian leaders would have looted the Country to every penny. We may disagree with Ayub, Musharaf on many occasions but there is absolutely no doubt that their rule was much better than these govts economically and security wise. Anyways wish the NewGovt. does a better Job than the previous one
@Manoj: Let me try one more tim if ET system is workin and live. The Prme Minister happens to hold the portfolio of Defense and foreign affairs as well. Besides, one guesses that they were discussing the retirement date for Kyani. Nawaz Sharif does not want the repeat of the affair with Musharaf.
Rex Minor
Again and again they are going meeting for discussion of security policy but when time will come that they instead of doing discussion put it in the practice, last meeting didn't gave a positive result. Taliban are not ready for cooperation now because of drone strikes.
Cynicism and self doubt has crept into our society so deeply that some of us have stopped even appreciating and understanding a simple news item. Cool down and analyse things in proper perspective.
So who is kissing up to whom , besides why must the Army Chief meet Nawaz Sharrif so many times as the number of days he has been in Power does not make any sense ?
@Naveed: You are correct that Nawaz Sharif is the defense minister but in the earlier regime when Ahmad Mukhtar and others were the defense minister, they were kept out of the loop and the COAS directly used to contact the PM or President.
The new security policy should be made based on the recognition that the old security policy has failed utterly (evidence A: 40,000 dead) . And the reason it failed was because it was made unilaterally by the Army and was hence skewed in favor of its own institutional interests - both legitimate interests and illegitimate interests. So the new policy must be made by civilians, and it should be based on the long-term needs of the People of Pakistan. Some of these long-term needs are: peace, education, health, employment, investment, commerce, and rule of law. The old security policy was the antithesis of all these national requirements.
@Manoj, Nawaz Sharif has the defence ministry portfilio himself.
Why we have such coward leadres?
Salute to COAS!!
Can you tell me who is the present defense minister of Pakistan@Manoj:
You can tell by the picture that they are both gripping each others hands very firmly.
Is that Asfandyar Wali in the background?
@Antebellum I think nawaz sharf should salute Army Chief for his permission to allow him to run civilian government.Further no Army chief should salute to pm as it can demoralize armed forces.
Sipah e Salar asking help from a politician how to save citizens of this country from terrorists, yet another security policy to be devised. This is amazing. The sheepish smile on his face clearly tells he is there to discuss about his yet another extension and not the security.
I hope Army chief made sure the civilian know whose in charge.
When are we going to see pictures of Gen Kiani saluting the PM?
Combination of Civilian Government couple with Pakistan Army can easily overcome militancy in Pakistan.
When terrorism will be eradicated, Pakistan will come in the main stream line with other progressing nations in the world.
I am optimistic that bad days will go very soon and every one will welcome good days to come in Pakistan.
PAKISTAN ZINDABAD
Mian Sahab, Here is your ticket for ummrah ! :)
Why Army chief of the country needs to meet his prime minister so many times and why every time prime minister makes himself available for such meeting.
Army chief reports to defence Minister / Defence secretary and hence, army chiefs access should be limited to these two gentlemen except some special occasion when get to meet PM / President.
Pt. Nehru as first PM of India had put some strict protocol in practice which saved India many times from unruly Army commander.
Hope, gradually Pakistan will put such protocol in place.