Pakistan

Govt considers extending COAS term

Express May 06, 2010

ISLAMABAD: The government is considering extending the tenure of Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani by five years due to the current security situation of the country.

Reliable defence sources said the matter is under discussion between the civil and military leadership. They said so far, the ministry of defence has not forwarded the matter's summary to the prime minister.

Sources said the second option under consideration is to extend Kiyani's tenure by one year. They said another very important option being considered is the introduction of a new top position, the chief of defence staff, in the military.

Sources said the chief of defence staff will possess wide ranging powers, and the army chief will also serve under him. So far, Kiyani has not formally informed the government about his intent.

COMMENTS (3)

bakht | 14 years ago | Reply Like cricketers / Hockey players ,who wants to retire ????????????

Pakistani | 14 years ago | Reply Nadir El Edroos, I don't understand why you're so upset at this statement,“The Army Chief has not formally informed the government about his intent”. And it seems to me you're purposefully trying to create confusion by questioning who is responsible to who? The statement only mentions the fact that if the Army Chief is offered an extension it is up to the army chief to decide whether he'd like to carry on or not. I mean it's a voluntary service not conscription. Maybe General Kayani might think that CGS Lieutenant General Khalid Shameem Wynne or someone like Lieutenant General Tahir Mahmood can take over as the army chief, because like you said they are a professional lot. I hope that helps.

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Nadir El Edroos | 14 years ago | Reply So a democratically elected government is going to hand power to an unelected individual for five years? So the government of the day is expecting the security situation to remain as it is for another fiver years? Now, a one year extension is still understandable but five years? We are told that the Pakistan Army is a professional and disciplined force, if so I am sure that there is no shortage of individuals who are aptly qualified to take his place. Giving extensions and creating new portfolios so that the incumbent can continue to wield power is just going to open the Army for further criticism and question who is really in charge of the country. Finally, the statement “The Army Chief has not formally informed the government about his intent”. So basically the Army chief has a choice of what he would like to do? Exactly who is accountable to who and who is in charge? If indeed the COAS is pulling all the strings, I hope the ISPR can offer a clarification to attest to that fact. We can then lead all the protests against electricity shortages, inflation and drone attacks to the Army house, rather than wasting our time at sit in’s in front of parliament which is obviously impotent.

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