Pakistan

Gen Kayani gets three year extension

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani announced the extension of Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani's tenure.

Express July 22, 2010

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani announced the extension of Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayanis tenure for three years on Thursday.

Speaking to the nation on national television, PM Gilani said that the country is passing through times, and that the civil government and armed forces had carried out successful operations in Swat.

He said that Gen Kayanis leadership was key to the success in the fight against terrorism and keeping this in light it was mandatory to extend his tenure.

Gilani said that after consultations with President Asif Zardari, he has decided to extend the tenure for three years.

COMMENTS (49)

SAEED KHURSHID AHMAD | 14 years ago | Reply Another blow to the sham ‘rule of law’in pakistan! This has proved that pak army is dependent on generals. To me our army produces generals not the generals produce army. It could be far better if we could trust army and let the rules of promotion and retirement prevail for rule of law; ‘one day father has to retire’ but we still not relying on our generals and violate the law.

SYED AGHA ALI MOOSAVI | 14 years ago | Reply @ Farigh,do not tell me WORLD TRADE CENTER was the responsibility of BUSH,just see what all was done after that . Swat and other measures being taken by General will be a land mark in this war against physical and mental terrorist like you.

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Tayyab | 14 years ago | Reply @ Farigh your name says it all about your comment bro !!

Tayyab | 14 years ago | Reply nothing fishy. purely administrative move.. the most feared person in ASIA retains his post :D brilliant...!!!

Farigh | 14 years ago | Reply East or West Kiani is the best Of course, during his "superb" tenure, the GHQ was attacked, his political maturity is evident from he being the chief negotiator of NRO. Those who call him the man of principles are supported by his acceptance of extension which grossly violates rules and regulations. The last such gross violation occurred 50 years ago by Iskander Mirza who gave extension to Gen. Ayub.

s.khan advocate | 14 years ago | Reply COAS Gen. kayani is indeed a best commander like his predecessors but it is beyond comprehension that what's different with him that he has been endowed with three years extension. is it just with the Generals in the queue for the post of COAS ? Is't disgusting ? when PM repeatedly says that Mr.kayani values democracy, then can we guess that the other General was a threat to democracy. this extension is based on personal liking and disliking. May God bless and protect my country which is surrounded by the insincere and incompetent leadership.

Malik Rashid | 14 years ago | Reply In the 'most disciplined organization' of Pakistan, a chief lengthens his tenure of power again. Denying the chance of promotion to his immediate juniors, General Kayani is set on a course to make history like Ayub, Zia and Musharraf. Zardari, Gilani are the new Iskander Mirza of Pakistani politics and democracy has been betrayed one more time. Ruling elite have started writing the new chapter of their thesis 'democracy is not suitable for the uneducated masses'. FH Malik said it best, "Scientists are reporting there is no more blood to suck out of the Pakistani people." The neglect of ordinary lives however would see swamps of filth and diseases multiply, so would the mosquitoes who can never suck as much as the army, politicians, feudals, bureaucrats and the rich.

mussarat ahmedzeb swat | 14 years ago | Reply @Nadir great you are back in the arena was missing your comments:D

Proud Afghan | 14 years ago | Reply Who says he has done an excellent job? We need to look at the situation on the ground in Pakhtunkhwa. It has worsened than when Gen. Kayani took over. The myth of victory in Waziristan and Swat is created by ISPR. Victory is nowhere my friends, neither in Swat nor in Waziristan. The militant leadership and its foot soldiers are just observing a calm for the military to flatten Pakhtun villages and towns. Once the military has done that, I promise the militants will be back, this time more powerful. Flattening villages will not do. Reducing poverty, giving political autonomy, spreading literacy and building infrastructure will.

Farhan | 14 years ago | Reply Expected, and wonderful decision. Some of our Pakistani friends wrote about the historical realities where generals took over Pakistan by force. But we must not forget the fact that Kiani has wonderfully lead armed forces as a leader. Take my words that present government will complete its 5year term and the time will prove that this decision was rightly taken.

usman saeed | 14 years ago | Reply Only time will tell how much wise this decision would be to accept unprecedental extension in service from an un-popular government by a most dignified and professional COAS,Pak Army has seen so far?

stefen | 14 years ago | Reply I also feel sorry for the general who was waiting for this job.Now kayani should offer him a lucrative money spinning post to compensate him.Its a vicious circle of mean politicians and generals.No hope for ordinary pakistanis.

Syed Nadir El-Edroos | 14 years ago | Reply So this is Pakistans most disciplined and most proffesional instituion? It cant find someone else to replace the current COAS? Great! Now we have the PPP who thinks that Bilawal Bhutto has an automatic right to be the next PM, and we have a COAS who is as constant as the northern star. What off all the other generals who will loose out on promotions? Who elected him? Who is he accountable to? How much does he cost the tax payer? Do we know anything about him, apart from the propoganda the ISPR feeds us? Blind patriotism has dulled us into ignorance, we are championing individuals without knowing anything about him.

qasim | 14 years ago | Reply Feel sorry for the General in queue who was eying the spot of COAS. What has he done wrong that he has not been given a chance to be the Chief? This can only happen in this Country. Why every department of this Country is always based on individuals rather than the institution itself?

ahmed | 14 years ago | Reply Seems like our general is getting addicted to power and doesn't want to let go. The only person who really believes that he is indispensable is general kayani himself. Remember Musharraf and how he refused to leave office because he was convinced he was indispensable. Its a sad state of affairs, that we don't trust our system and refuse to acknowledge that it is capable of producing good officers who are capable of replacing a General.

Dajjal | 14 years ago | Reply This is only the second time that a civilian Govt. has given an extension to the COAS... the other hundred times the COAS has kicked out the Govt had given himself an extension..

pasha | 14 years ago | Reply it ia a day of mourning and destruction .Pakistani women have stopped giving birth to intelligent sons and daughters . Kyani is the last intelligent pakistani born so no other choice . Pakistan army has stabbed again the pakistani peeople.Today it is not kyani but Zardari who has been granted extension by the chief of ......other wise zardari would have been......It seems that the so called chief justice was broiught back so that if zardari disagrees he would have been ousted.NRO zinda bad .

M.Atif | 14 years ago | Reply we can't say its a good or bad decision at the moment because our history in this respect. But the question of institution is where? will this war over after three years if not ?

Syed Yousaf | 14 years ago | Reply General Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani,unlike his predessesor, not only established the confidence of people of Pakistan in the professionalism of Pakistan Army but also raised the morale of both his countrymen and the army. Today he stands the most trusted person in the heirarchy of country and its a matter of immense pleasure to hear about his extension in service. May Almighty Allah guide him to serve this country with selfless dedication.

Zubair Malik | 14 years ago | Reply sallam to pak army.

imran | 14 years ago | Reply The PPP govt is afraid of army; thats why they have given extension to Gen Kayani. Because they think that the new COAS might through them out. Now this jod would be done by Gen Kayani and the PPP would repent like PML(N). The best practice for Defence Forces is to follow the principle of seniority.

mussarat ahmedzeb swat | 14 years ago | Reply history is repeating itself gen Ayub latter became the president.Gen K you are a credible person just like our leaders before you power make,s our leaders a little gidddy in the head.Power is like heroin addiction extremly difficult to leave.My impression about you was wrong.

SYED AGHA ALI MOOSAVI | 14 years ago | Reply First time a civilian govt did it to a general...... EXCELLENT DECISION.

Nazir Habib | 14 years ago | Reply General Kayani !!! Ahlan Wa Sahlan Marhaba - Khush Amdeed Mubarak - Bene Venuto - Bien Venida - we wellcome heartily your extension at this crucial stage in the country's existence. We are optimistic and hopefull you will continue with your plans in securing the country's borders both internally and externally. With best wishes for always.

cmsarwar | 14 years ago | Reply Please insert are between they very good businessmen.

cmsarwar | 14 years ago | Reply What happens if Kayani drops dead tomorrow?Remember Gen.Asif Nawaz? What is this myth of somebody being indispensable? Zardari/Gilani/Nawaz Sharif combined with our mighty army will rule this unlucky country for another 50 years (if it survives by then?.Why can't we follow normal rules of business like all the law-abiding nations?Musharraf's trusted lieutinent continues for another 3 years.People forget Kayani's role in deals like NRO and do not realise that all Musharrf related violations of law now stand protected.Nation should now be ready to welcome back Musharraf.I do not want to comment on Kayani's performance.But remember we are losing Baluchistan fast under his watch.East Pakistan was also lost by a general.Our politicians,meanwhile,are proud to declare that they very good businessmen.

Jaffar Khan | 14 years ago | Reply Good move.The TV anchors would now have sleepless nights.

faraz | 14 years ago | Reply Good decision. After looking at the weird stuff that we have produced over past sixty years (ayub, zia, aslem beg, musharraf) you could have expected anything from a new army chief.

Ali | 14 years ago | Reply This is entirely democratic, undemocratic thing would have emerged, had government not arrived at this need-of-the-hour decision and powerful segments, in turn, had derailed the system. In a democratic and constitutional fashion the premier, being the competent authority, after consulting with the president made Kayani the Chief of Army Staff for three more years basing it on his serious devotion to his profession which is quite visible to the nation and world. This decision is the best ever by PPP.

Iqbal Khan | 14 years ago | Reply I guess, there are no more competent generals left in the Pakistan Army. Looks like General Kiyani is some AVATAR who is indispensable that the whole army will fall apart without him.

Zulfiqar Ahmed | 14 years ago | Reply Three years? I favored an extension but maybe of a year to 18 monthts but three full years is too much. This will give birth to so many wrong ideas including one that army lacks compitent leaders.

NMS | 14 years ago | Reply DISGUSTING! This is just not right to give someone that much power in a country like this where we have lived under oppressive military regimes. And can I please point out how ridiculously UN-democratic this is!

Bangash | 14 years ago | Reply Good decision. Kiyani has done an excellent job.

Zarghun khan | 14 years ago | Reply A very bad move. This shows the lack of confidence in an institution - the army - that was so far considered as THE only institution left in pakistan. Depending on personalities rather than institution shows weakness, panic and the decline of the army. A bad precedent indeed!

Noor Nabi | 14 years ago | Reply Pak *fauj* ko salaam; General Kayani seems to be indispensable in giving shape to the bright future of Pakistan.

ijaz | 14 years ago | Reply masterstroke by zardari. Home free all the way to 2013. Now chief justice can forget about anyone coming to his aid. NRO lives. I think the loser is the hyper media along with nawaz and company. Elections in 2013 under this sitting government will return PPP just as dasti and jat won big.

FH Malik | 14 years ago | Reply In happier news, a sharp decline has been reported in the number of mosquitoes throughout Pakistan. Scientists are reporting there is no more blood to suck out of the Pakistani people. They are attributing this to the complete domination of the mosquito's core business by the political, military, and business establishments.

Pakistan | 14 years ago | Reply Whaaaaat????? Am truly shocked after reading the above comments. How a democracy loving person can commend "extension of an Army General"... What credibility will this leave for Mr. Kiyani and Pakistan Army? Why is he so indispensable??? So it means that we do not have anymore officers, who could replace him. So what will happen after 3 years, as I don't think, they can groom a general of their choice in three years? So will he now be general for life? Three years is too little time to groom a favorable general. Right? Really wish that Mr. Kiyani had opted to quit honorably, with the grace he had and ventured to do something else. I was dieing to watch him speaking in all silly talk shows. With this extension, he will now easily be framed into the political circus that is going on in this unfortunate leaderless country... A seriously wrong decision with extremely negative consequence in the long run...

Syed A. Mateen | 14 years ago | Reply General Ashfaq Parvez Kiyani is one of the higest ranking Army General who is very popular among the masses. People of Pakistan cannot forget his contribution in returning democary to the country according to the wishes of Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. General Kiyanis dedication has not only made Pakistan Army one of the most powerful Army in the world who took the challange to secure Pakistan from external and internal threats. The nation stand behind General Kiyani and Pakistan Army in fighting against militancy and terrorism. On this auspicious ocassion, I cannot forget the Jawans of Pakistan Army who lost their lives in discharging their official duties. May Al-Mighty Allah Bless the families of our Army Jawans who are not among us at this time to save the country from terrorists. Ameen.

SHAHID MAHMUD NADEEM | 14 years ago | Reply Its Zardari who get another three years

Faisal Naseem Chaudhry | 14 years ago | Reply Certainly a good decision. The General with his military skills, military achievements, and cool headedness made himself indispensible for this extension.

GM | 14 years ago | Reply East or west, Gen. Kyani is the best.

Faisal Khan | 14 years ago | Reply Good move. It will keep the policies in check and continuationof current military/offensive strategy.

Alee | 14 years ago | Reply Finally, something commendable done by the Govt.

Atif Roz | 14 years ago | Reply Will there not any competent General in army to replace Kayani... Will Kayani, the intellectual and soldier, be proud of this extra time on the morning after eventual retirement when it is all over? Only he can decide that.

Hasan | 14 years ago | Reply ha ha good one..who is PM kidding? Did he have a choice? Kiyani's wish is PM's command.

S. Ali Raza | 14 years ago | Reply Good move!

Ahmed Ali | 14 years ago | Reply I think this is the only wise decision this government has taken so far. Considering Gen. Kyani's contribution towards democracy as well as his leadership role in fight against militancy, he deserved to be kept as the COAS. Regards, Ahmed Ali.

Syed Abdul Wahab Gilani | 14 years ago | Reply Excellent decision. He deserved that. Esp.