Pakistan

Rebuff to White House report: Military satisfied with counter-terror efforts

Army chief praises transition to civilian control in Shangla and Buner .

Express April 09, 2011

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan’s top military commanders on Friday expressed satisfaction over the country’s counter-terrorism strategy in an apparent rebuff to a recent White House report that claims Islamabad lacks clear direction to fight militants.

The statement was issued after the a meeting of the corps commanders chaired by Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi to review the current security situation.

The meeting came a day after the head of US Central Command (CENTCOM) General James N Mattis held talks with Gen Kayani in an effort to overcome differences on certain issues between Washington and Islamabad.

“The forum was given comprehensive briefings on internal and external security challenges Pakistan is facing,” said a statement issued by the Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR). “The COAS in his remarks expressed satisfaction over the conduct of stability operations in the tribal areas and appreciated beginning of transition to civilian control in Shangla and Buner,” it added.

Gen Kayani’s remarks contradicted the White House report that criticised Pakistan’s efforts to fight militants along the Afghan border.

“We have already stated that Pakistan does not share the US assessment and the Army chief’s statement is in line with that policy,” said a security official.

Pakistan rejected the report and said the country should not be held responsible for the West’s failings in Afghanistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (10)

Alamgir Ghauri | 13 years ago | Reply If the security forces can not bring security and safety to the people of Pakistan, then they are no good at their job. so are the people of pakistan safe and secure ? NO are the security forces good then ? NO

S.N.Shah | 13 years ago | Reply The Army deployeed at buner Brings Peace and trainquility at our region.the Army should not move from this territorry.Because this Area will engulf terrirest. So we the people of Buner Requist to Cor commander and international stackholder that do not Drag the poor people of buner to the stone age again.Do not Make our Region as laboratory for the Great game.

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American Bigot. | 13 years ago | Reply We are world's most successful bigots wherever we go, whatever we do we are the true ones no one can mess with us! If they do it will at their own risk and dbl the cost!

R S JOHAR | 13 years ago | Reply @Maria: There is nothing wrong being proud of one's own army and why not Pakistan army is one of world's leading professional army. But Im afraid you havn't got your facts right about 1965 Indo-Pak war since you have been fed with distorted history in your text books and totally wrong description about 1947, 1965 and 1971 wars. Since you appear to be quite educated person therefore my suggestion for you is to surf on net '1965 war' and get all facts in Neutral Assessment' excerpts from various books on this war by the foreign authors. However, to enlighten you Im producing a few excerpts from these books-- Davin T Hagerty wrote in his book 'South Asia World Politics'- The Indian forces out-fought their Pakistani counterparts and halted their attack on out-skirts of Lahore. By the time UN intervened on Sep 22 1965, Pakistan had suffered a clear defeat. David Van in his book 'The great game: India's race with destiny' wrote- India won the war. It gained 1840 Square Kilometers of Pakistan territory ie 640 in Azad Kashmir, 460 in Sialkot, 380 in Sindh South and most important 360 on Lahore front. Whereas Pakistan gained 540 SQ KM of Indian territory ie 490 in Chhamb sector and 50 in Khemkaran sector, English historian John Keays wrote in 'India a History' - Both sides claimed victory but India gained more territory to celebrate victory over Pakistan. The above information is authentic which can be counter-checked. It is indeed sad that Pakistanis are fed with distorted history not only on all wars but whole of history of undivided India post independence. Regards. R S Johar

Maria | 13 years ago | Reply @Cautious: You really have no clue. The Pakistani military has done a great job in flushing out these foreign supported criminals. My relations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa speak optimistically of more stability even in FATA. Kayani is right to choose his own timing for if and when he wishes to tackle foreign supported criminals in Waziristan. Overall, the majority of Pakistanis support Kayani and see him as a true patriot. Not only has he restored the prestige of the military, he has been smart enough not to be too public. He seems a calculated and meticulous man who has the upper hand with miscreants. Yes cowardly attacks have continued but they are largely isolated acts of desperation. As for reports on Pakistani military victories, we all know how close we were to victory in 1965 had we pushed ahead at Akhnur. In 1947, both Britain and India deprived the Pakistani military of her fair share of supplies and material but the Pakistani military outperformed the enemy with next to nothing. Indians may hark on about 1971 but the blame there lays on us and our own internal political discord that a crafty enemy was able to exploit. The military were tasked with putting down an internal rebellion in Bangladesh but the enemy exploited the domestic political discord. This is why Kayani understands that strong civil governance is important to Pakistan and he has kept the military out of the political fray.

Cautious | 13 years ago | Reply Of course they are satisfied - they are govt employees and their paychecks are not based on their performance - anyone ever heard of an officer in the military who was fired? Anyone read a non biased/sanitized history book on the internet which indicated that Pakistan military has ever won a battle?

TightDhoti | 13 years ago | Reply The COAS is satisfied with the progress on the War on Terror? Can we please set ourselves higher standards. Attacks are taking place on a daily basis, people are dying, and all he can say is that he is "satisfied".

R S JOHAR | 13 years ago | Reply Gen Kayani has his own weird reasons to be satisfied. The terrorism has not been contained in both Afghanistan and Pakistan and infact terrorists have become more bold and are striking at will in both countries. Military is actively supporting these deadly outfits and consider them as their ASSETS and the slogan 'Jeeve Pakistan' has been changed to 'JEEVE TALEBAN' by them.

John | 13 years ago | Reply So the bid to establish US-PAK relationships ended on Collision track.

dar | 13 years ago | Reply Pakistan Army takes action against militants.American army has been and is killing civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan and has engaged in new adventure in Libya with Impunity.Word has to watch this self righteous, neo-colonialist.

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