Pakistan

Kayani vows to defeat terrorism

Army chief says the drone attacks are undermining Pakistan's efforts against terrorism.

Afp April 21, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's army chief General Ashfaq Kayani vowed to defeat terrorism and rejected the notion of Islamabad "not doing enough" in the war against terrorism, the military said on Thursday.

His comments followed remarks by Admiral Mike Mullen, the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, accusing Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency of having ties with militants in the northwest tribal belt.

The army chief "strongly rejected negative propaganda of Pakistan not doing enough and Pakistan army’s lack of clarity on the way forward," the military said in a statement, a day after Mullen met top military generals in Islamabad.

Kayani said that the "army’s ongoing operations are a testimony of our national resolve to defeat terrorism", according to the statement.

In an interview with TV channel Geo, Mullen -- the highest ranking officer in the US armed forces -- said: "ISI has a long standing relationship with the Haqqani network, that does not mean everybody in ISI but it is there."

But the military statement said Mullen "lauded the sacrifices and efforts of people of Pakistan and its security forces" in the war against terror.

He also made reassurances that "security ties will not be allowed to unravel between the two armed forces".

The Haqqani network is an al Qaeda-allied organisation run by Afghan warlord Sirajuddin Haqqani and based in the North Waziristan tribal district.

The group has been blamed for some of the deadliest anti-US attacks in Afghanistan.

Kayani and Mullen re-stated their aims of building "reciprocal respect towards each other’s sovereignty" and addressing the "trust deficit between the institutions as well as the people on both the sides," the statement said.

Kayani described public support as the key to success in the war against terrorism but said that controversial US drone strikes "not only undermine our national effort against terrorism but also turn public support against our efforts".

COMMENTS (30)

Venky | 12 years ago | Reply I do not understand one thing. If Americanoon cannot win this war on terrorism war with Taliban, how come General saab believes that he will defeat terrorism war and will win? Think, what is cooking?

Shaikh Mohommad | 12 years ago | Reply All these statements by the Military brass and ISI are for the public consumption. We all know that Pakistan Army is a willing tool of American policy. I only wish that Pakistanis fully support Imran Khan's sit in against Drone Attacks. Egypt and other countries in the Middle East tell us that if people do not come on the streets, their lot will not improve. The real power in Pakistan is wielded by Pakistan Army and we should struggle to liberate the country from the clutches of Pakistan Army.

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Hedgefunder | 12 years ago | Reply @John: LOL ! Perhaps some of the political nostalgia of his predecessors from army is begining to rub into this man!!! I don't believe he will tolerate PML-N leader, in office at any cost, so perhaps he has realised that the current holders are unlikely to return too, He has finally decided to get involved in some basic PR. But it does sound rather Hollow and Lame to the rest of us!! The idea that " He Vows to Defeat Terrorism " well he has had plenty of time to deal with this as far as i am concerned and enough resources too!! Why not step into North Waziristan, then???? That would be good start!!!

chineserules | 12 years ago | Reply @mawali, Are you saying Afghans can never be defeated ? only Mongols can do is it ? . What would have taken Russians to drop the Tsar bomb into mountains pakistan /afganistan border and kill all afghans (good and bad) ?. What if Americans drop Hydrogen bomb and wipe out all living things in afghanistan ? ..Afghanistan is not un matchable in war you know .....We chinese can put thermo nuclear bomb to just annihilate all in afghanistan and its radiation will not allow other living thing in northwest pakistan/indian kashmir and east of iran . Just dont be jingoistic ..No country wants to be barbaric and you should respect that..

Ron(Indian) | 12 years ago | Reply Mr. kayani: This is the time to send all these zombies to their graveyard. and there is no goodone. Instead of talking please start acting you are not a politician don't give speeches, act. thanks.

Mawali | 12 years ago | Reply The statement by the General "We will defeat terrorism" worries me! A statement made in islolation lacking any resolve and or thought! It has been established now after a good 10 years of unmitigated shalacking that terrorism at least in Pakistan cannot be defeated by force alone. Certainly not by military force alone! I now firmly believe that the military action at least on the part of the Pakistan Army or Government should cease immediately and post haste. This should be replaced by what Musharraf recommended with a three pronged startegy of: Negotiation for the cessation of all forms of terrorism to include respect for the Government writ on all matters; religious, civic, social, economic and defense. Aid and uplift of the communities. This in particular needs a concerted and a verifiable effort. Threat of a defined comprehensive military response Look the US is vacating the neighborhood in a couple of years. It would be monumentally stupid of Pakistan to continue the fight that is when you think about it not theirs to begin with. How Long can Pakistan sustain an effort which has no end in sight. There comes a time in all campaigns where the participants have to stop, sit back and assess the immediate and long term gains/losses and effects. This is not Sri Lanka and the adversaries (with due respect) not the Tamil Tigers. History has proven that no invading army except the ruthless Mongol Hordes have beat these people into submission. Not any modern super power! They have all categorically and comprehensively gotten their collective butts kicked. In the case of one former "super power" they helped erase them from the map of the World. Enough is for crying out loud enough! An old yankee proverb; "having lost sight of our objective we redoubled our efforts" has to be painstakingly and with no regret shipped back with the Yankees!

Hedgefunder | 12 years ago | Reply Let me suggest, that Kiyani & co, go for a stroll in the region of North Waziristan and do take media with you, as it will show the world, that they are serious about tackling the terrorists!!! But sadly this is not possible as the media may see them, enjoying the hospitality of those they are trying to apprehend !!

Anonymous | 12 years ago | Reply @Hiran: You are right. You are the proof

Cautious | 12 years ago | Reply the Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, accusing Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency of having ties with militants in the northwest tribal belt. To my knowledge this is the first time that someone of such high ranking have made such a statement directly to the press --- sure sign that the gloves are coming off. One concern is that these statements might be used in courtrooms where victims of Mumbai massacre are trying to hold Pakistan financially accountable for their actions.

John | 12 years ago | Reply Kayani: US drones must stop,,. Pasha: we'll inform CiA CIA: mocks with fresh drone strikes PAK : we will ask French to stop drones. US: Mullen visits Kayani; "some in PAK are linked to Haqqani terrorists network" Kayani: We will defeat terrorism. "this is our land. We know how to tackle this. We'll set the rules." US: Thank you, where shall we fly the drones?

shuja ur rehman raja | 12 years ago | Reply Need of the hour

Saleem Khan | 12 years ago | Reply This so called war is going no where. Everybody is blaming each others. I also know that Pakistan Army have severe concerns on regular attacks on ISI office all over country. Army knows quite well who is financing and supporting these new gender of Taliban, who hardly existed in actual Afghan War. Majority of this new gender taliban are robbers and rejected men of Pakistani society, who are organised under umbrella of anti peace forces of world...and now attacking on civilians of Pakistan plus ISI offices. They are doing all this for the sake of millions of dollars and thats it. Army is seriously crushing this breed of talibans and it is not for the happiness of US or rest of the world...but for the safety of Pakistanis. You have already seen how these culprits were cutting throats in SWAT. Good luck Pakistan Army.

Copper | 12 years ago | Reply His continued "vowing" since last several years is enough proof of incompetence. Can you do anything except overthrowing elected governments?

Zahid Hussain Khalid | 12 years ago | Reply I take the liberty of slightly modifying your statement: “My ongoing operations are a justification of my extension to defeat SO-CALLED FAKE WAR against terrorism.” You and your colleagues are doing a great job in serving the strategic military objectives of the enemies of Islam, Muslims and Pakistan. GOOD LUCK GENERAL ... KEEP DOING THAT. AFTER ALL YOU ARE ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL PEOPLE IN THE WORLD! This is what I as a Pakistani and a Muslim conveyed to your real boss: Mike Mullen: Your following statement not only makes sense...It reflects your helplessness as a military commander too! “We’re going to have a very tough year this year,” you told reporters. "I’ve been very straight with the American people on that. I think our losses, which were significant last year, will be significant this year as well.” You know very well that you are involved in an un-winnable war. The Afghan land and its people both are historically impregnable. They were never defeated and they were never forced to submit. The lesson is to go back and tell your President and Congress that the best way out, as I have conveyed to your Ambassador in Pakistan also through one of my comments, to replace the outdated and over-exposed fake theme of "War on Terror" with a "War against Social and Economic Evils" to win back the hearts and minds of the deprived people and under-developed countries. BELIEVE ME...YOU HAVE NO OTHER OPTION...NO ONE IS MIGHTIER THAN GOD AND GOD IS NOT ON YOUR SIDE KNOWING WELL THAT YOU REALLY DO TRUST IN GOD..!

Roflcopter | 12 years ago | Reply US is currently the biggest source of terrorism. Terrorism will go away in Pakistan if US leaves afghanistan.

Hiran | 12 years ago | Reply @vindh - HIV or Aids are rarely found in mice, then why is your nation fearful

faraz | 12 years ago | Reply The conspiracy theorists, who advocate that TTP is a RAW-CIA creation, downplay the fact that ISI supported Haqqani group provided refuge to TTP when army launched operation in the South Waziristan. This fact clearly debunks the good/bad Taliban theory. It also proves that Haqqani group is not entirely under the army's control. The army is only waiting for US exit so it can push this garbage back into Afghanistan. But this formula won’t work on Pakistani Taliban.

sanjithmenon | 12 years ago | Reply Americans are fools. Thats the conclusion i can draw. How far will any military of a country go about killing its own people? When we told this to Americans they said, you Indians, why? should we trust, what you say about Pakistanis, for obvious reasons. This was way back in 2003!

Shafique | 12 years ago | Reply another 9/11 pressure tactic, the unfortunate situations is, we lack MEN at right places to reply in the same language in which they are asked to "DO MORE". Political & Military Leadership is not worth discussing, already known to everyone. people of pakistan are already making and ready for any required sacrifice, wanting a radical Change of system not faces, pak Military -> response awaited !

s.g. jilanee | 12 years ago | Reply Our leaders military or civilian should better keep their traps shut. They are all up to their keisters in the clandestine game, privately siding with the US but posturing in public to fool the Pakistani morons. That is the view held by many Americans as well and that is why they mock at the expression of outrage by these worthies. Gen. Kayani gives himself away when he critiques the drone act for "undermining our national effort against terrorism." He does not fault the drone attacks for killing innocent civilians for whom neither the US nor his army keeps a count. He does not call it an invasion of our air space. How could he when secretly he supports the drone atacks? Would America carry on a single drone attack if the civil government and the military clearly warned them to stop it or else they would be shot down? How long will this joke go on? .

mjmannish | 12 years ago | Reply How could he defeat himself.

humsubkapakistan | 12 years ago | Reply who is paying our BILLS.....?

Karachi citizen | 12 years ago | Reply Jaldi Khayal Aagaya....................these type of people plays with the sentiments of masses,what are they doing for the last 8 years.

ashfaqueshah | 12 years ago | Reply public support needed

bvindh | 12 years ago | Reply In a related incident, HIV has vowed to defeat AIDS.

R S JOHAR | 12 years ago | Reply Gen Kayani vowing to defeat terrorism shall be a welcome statement for US as well as at home since ordinary Pakistani citizens are suffering more than the Americans. However, actions are bigger than words which will be closely monitered by the Americans. It is also an appropriate time for Pak govt and military to review the policy of dealing with militants keeping in view of its relations with US and welfare of its people.

fahim | 12 years ago | Reply Why not first close all links with Haqanni network the brainchild of pakistan taliban

George Bush | 12 years ago | Reply ooh....mullen is afraid....very afraid....lol Kayani collected his biscuits from the US and is now making statements to show the Pakis that he is working.

Julia Afaghi Simmons | 12 years ago | Reply the war in Afghanistan and the new "war" in Libya beat any sick evil things the USA HAS EVER DONE. I am just an old woman and remember the WWII book my dad kept on the table but the Viet Nam War and its horrors are huge and just a huge murder of innocent rice pickers in the field (videos I have seen recently) but the Afghanistan thing is these skinny mountain guys with no socks on in winter and just defending their homes the way uneducated poor people would against weird sadistic invaders...........Libya is an obvious exercise in weird civil war pumped up by outsiders from UN. Really the downfall of civilization is involved here.

Blunt! | 12 years ago | Reply Sudden realization?! Oh probably the Pak Millitary is being pressurized from above (read Taliban & other similar organizations)! lol.

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