SEVILLE: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani said on Friday that Pakistan had a sovereign right to formulate a policy in accordance with its own national interests and wishes of its people.
The COAS made these remarks at a meeting of the NATO Chiefs of Defence that was held in Seville city of Spain.
Reiterating Islamabad's resolve to fight militancy and extremism, Kayani underlined that Pakistan has a sovereign right to formulate its policies in line with it own national interests and the wishes of its people.
He recalled Pakistan’s role in the war on terror, highlighting the sacrifices made to fight terrorism as well as reiterating Pakistan’s expectations, in terms of support, from the rest of the world.
Earlier, the COAS met US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen and French Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Edouard Guillaud on the sidelines of the NATO session.
Earlier on Thursday Spain had conferred the country’s highest military honour, The Grand Cross of Military Merit award, upon General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani.
The award was in recognition of Pakistan Army’s contribution in the fight against terrorism.
Kayani doubts Afghanistan ready for troops pullout
Pakistan's army chief said he doubted neighbouring Afghanistan would be ready for international troops to leave by 2014 as planned.
"Frankly, I have my doubts," General Ashfaq Kayani told Reuters on the sidelines of the NATO Military Committee conference, adding that he thought an alternative deadline might be possible.
"No date can be a final date," he said.
The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force is training Afghan security forces and is due to fully withdraw from the war-torn central Asian country by 2014.
NATO considers Pakistan to be a key regional player and Afghanistan's security situation was on the agenda at the US-led alliance's two-day conference in Seville.
A NATO spokesman said the alliance thought the gradual withdrawal of international forces was moving ahead on time.
"There are encouraging signs of progress as far as transition at this stage is concerned," Brigadier General Massimo Panizzi told journalists.
Taliban rebels have recently, however, managed to attack several well-guarded targets in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Kayani added that he thought relations between the US and Pakistan were satisfactory.
"Relations are good. They are improving," he said.
COMMENTS (29)
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Even then we should be vigilant about kiyani's behaviour as I have the opinion there is no terrorism in the world its just i resentment to American policies.
Most of the Indian trolls over here are saying things against the General and there is a Character degrading attempt going on. To all of indians, WE ARE FOND OF GENERAL KAYANI, we trust him to whatever he says coz we know they have given many sacrifices for us. We acknowledge the 3000 army martyers who fought and were not sitting comfortably in their rooms like us. We understand 2000 army soldiers became disabled with many young recruits who were abt to get married or recently got married. We understand the family members, the mothers whose sons laid their lives for their homeland. We share their grief equally and bow our heads for the honourable. We respect our army and we trust them with all our heart.
@Chilli:
What is the guarantee that you will get the true report from Wikileaks. For every media report (except the one based on a public event with many witnesses), there is always a probability of being True, Partially True or False.
It is just like the probabilistic nature of events in Quantum Physics!
I don't believe it. Lets wait for the next Wikileaks for real conversation. Welcome drone policy is clear indication of how strong our forces are.
Operation in North Waziristan will never happen. NATO will vent out its anger after 2014. That is for sure! What prevents NATO to Sanction the heck out of Pakistan after 2014?
Kiani tried to balance the award of NATO military cross.
Big Question: Does Army's interest also mean Pakistani interest?
Kayani and the whole of Pakistan including the government feels so confident against the US because of the Chinese assurance. I personally feel Pakistan is underestimating the US and over-relying on China. The bottom line still remains that Pakistan alone cannot challenge the US. Forget challenging it cannot even think of a hostile US in peace time. But it is challenging non-the-less and a war-tired US is not in a mood for escalation. These incidents will have a lasting impact on US psyche and Pakistan should prepare for that. When you assert so blatantly with loose pants you do not leave yourself with the option to run back to safety without looking like a joker. Pakistan is surely getting into a situation where retreat looks increasingly humiliating if not disastrous.
"Jameel ; Kiyani doesn’t look in good mood in pic."
How would u feel if u r the army chief and your country is not under your control, half taken by Talibans, everyday bombed by Talibans/drones ..you live everyday under the threat of Talibans or sanctions .. half the country under 6 feet of water and you ate all the all the budget ..and face public anger ..
'The award was in recognition of Pakistan Army’s contribution in the fight against terrorism.'
Wish the West somehow includes people of Pakistan in the category too... this lot might improve as well.
Bravo General .. Keep Going
Kayani first saying wishes of the people first whom as for as I know don't want US presence here, then he takes the U turn by saying he doubts 2014 withdrawal of NATO, double tongued.
@Mirza: I see you on several posts saying negative things about Pakistan- that only tells me you are an Indian troll who has nothing better to do than show his obsession. Just so you know, people in Pakistan respect Kayani and admire the way he is standing up for national interests. As for our army's work in Sind, it is ongoing and we are proud of the Pak military who always comes to help in times of natural disasters.
@Mirza When Pakistan army does the job of civilian government this is always you who shouts why army is interfering in Government's job, but when our army meets with its counterpart to solve the problems you are saying something else. What a double standard. Shame on you.
All so called establsihment contrived policies in so called supreme national interests have done the ultimate and maximum harm to Pakistan in last 60 years or did I get it all wrong and Ayub, Yahya, Tikka, Zia, Musharraf and Kayani are the heroes of the great Republic ?
@Nadir El-Edroos: That is the only way to milk American Cow.
@Nadir El-Edroos: Could you please enlighten us all with the source of what you wrote above? That better be a military source too.
When is his extension coming to an end? The sooner the better!
Zabardast-well said. Hope this is not short lived statement and pevails across all political parties.
@ Mirza, you want the army to defend the borders,fight extremism and militancy or you want them to do the other stuff which the civilian govt is suppose to do.these things amaze me that we want the army to do everything for us but when they are close to the coup or actually do that then we are like "Go back to the barracks". I am not an army apologist.this is a fact which we need to understand,
Pakistan army already doing relief work in Sindh. just check web plz.
How about giving some money from the 500 billion defence budget to the poor peasants who have lost everything in the floods
Pakistan’s army chief said he doubted neighbouring Afghanistan would be ready for international troops to leave by 2014 as planned.
What? Now I thought we were all in agreement that we wanted NATO out of Afghanistan, and Afghanistan firmly in our sphere of influence as soon as possible! Now you want them to stay on?