Speaking to reporters at the Shamsi Airbase on Monday, he said that the final decision on whether Nato supplies will be allowed to pass through Pakistan for forces based in Afghanistan will be made by the Parliamentary Committee on National Security.
Kayani and Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, chief of air staff, took members of the media to airbase in Jacobabad to formally announce that the Shamsi Airbase is now under the control of the Pakistan Air Force. The US, which used the airbase for drone attacks in Afghanistan and possibly those in Pakistan, was told to vacate the base by Pakistan in the aftermath of the November 26 Salala checkpoint attack.
The army chief said that Pakistan and US are cooperating on defence operations and Pakistani officials are taken into confidence whenever bordering areas are to be attacked.
Asked if the F-16 aircraft that Pakistan recently received from the US can down American drones, Suleman said that the PAF does not want any such situation to arise where this capability will have to tested. “Pakistan is manufacturing its own unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV drones) at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra and we will soon be able to prepare UAVs equipped with missile technology.”
He said that 14 used F-16s were provided to Pakistan by the US free of cost while 18 other have been bought.
Finances
The army chief said that 18% of Pakistan’s total budget had been allocated for the armed forces, which included the army, navy and air force. Of this, eight to nine per cent is reserved for the use of Pakistan Army.
Talking about the Coalition Support Fund, which was set up by the US Congress after the September 11, 2001, attacks to reimburse allies for costs in supporting the US-led war on militancy, Kayani said that Pakistan was yet to receive 1.5 billion dollars from the US.
an,�� oX��� 'ate the base by Pakistan in the aftermath of the November 26 Salala checkpoint attack.
The army chief said that Pakistan and US are cooperating on defence operations and Pakistani officials are taken into confidence whenever bordering areas are to be attacked.
Asked if the F-16 aircraft that Pakistan recently received from the US can down American drones, Suleman said that the PAF does not want any such situation to arise where this capability will have to tested. “Pakistan is manufacturing its own unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV drones) at the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex in Kamra and we will soon be able to prepare UAVs equipped with missile technology.”
He said that 14 used F-16s were provided to Pakistan by the US free of cost while 18 other have been bought.
Finances
The army chief said that 18% of Pakistan’s total budget had been allocated for the armed forces, which included the army, navy and air force. Of this, eight to nine per cent is reserved for the use of Pakistan Army.
Talking about the Coalition Support Fund, which was set up by the US Congress after the September 11, 2001, attacks to reimburse allies for costs in supporting the US-led war on militancy, Kayani said that Pakistan was yet to receive 1.5 billion dollars from the US.
COMMENTS (24)
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Sir, the history tells us that all civilian governments have been "Most Obedient Servants" if not then our courts pack them according to the wishes of your powerful arm. So all shall be done according to thy will.
If AZ sees that he is on his way out, he shall order the Army to take down the drones.
@Shahid:
PAK has a limited amount of time to blackmail the US. I suggest it be used wisely. Once that time has passed then things will become much different in PAK - US relations. I do not believe PAK will like this new direction.
Now army is hiding behind parliament while defying the US.
When pressure on military mounts ball is thrown into Parliaments court, very sad
great repetition skills by the ET.
Doesn't mater where you turn --- tough decisions and leadership seems to be things that so called "leaders" tend to avoid in Pakistan.
@Anserali Khan: If you include pensions + allocation for nuclear program (including civil) + defense production etc, that will become 21%. And if you include the defense budget's part in debt servicing, that will become around 38%, but no way near 70% which is very often quoted in talk shows. All these figures are calculated using the statistics presented in Budget Brief 2011, available on ministry of finance's website.
@Sunny: please be realistic,army is no more responsible for open/close anything for last four years,its the duty of people's representatives to now open and close because that can not be challenged on any forum of the world otherwise those who are being blocked they are too shrewd.
@Lobster:
"Whenever Army wants to go against popular demand, it asks Parliament to do this, nice strategy"
There is nothing preventing Parliament from asserting itself and implementing a decision that is acceptable to the majority of Pakistanis - they were elected to represent Pakistanis after all.
You should be cheering this opportunity for Parliament to take the initiative and win popular support.
o really!!
General Kiyani should make public that it is in best interest of Pakistan to cooperte with USA but conditional to US meeting economic and energy needs of Pakistan. Also general Kiyani should come out openly in favour of better relations with India.
Whenever Army wants to go against popular demand, it asks Parliament to do this, nice strategy
Well done Kyani Sb. Take down this Govt. by not enforcing the Army power but their incompetence. Just remarkable move.
My personal opinion was always that democratic elected parties due their incompetence give way for the army to take over. But this time the army - Kyani Sb. - wants the country to really suffer so that through this suffering people will at last understand that these incompetent people are not to be elected again.
Does 18% include pensions of armed force personnel?.
@Sunny Now a Days, critisizing Army is becoming fashion. Instead of doing our own job we are quarreling with one another and people are taking advantage of that. There are some black sheeps like musharaf within the Army but it is true that the only institution left in Pakistan which is doing their job is Army. Rest of the institutions like WAPDA, Railway, PIA, Police, Steel Mill, etc are in front of every one. What are our political leadership doing from the last 4 years. Fighting for their own interests and what is their interest? POWER. I beleive in democracy but not the one we are practicing in our coutry.
Our Obediant & Innocent Generals! ;)
Well played General. The ball is in government court which is already under pressure for PM's indictment in contmpt case while the religious parties are also sharpening their teeths for a possible clash with the government on the issue. Let see what govt does in this case.
No matter what parliament decide, people of Pakistan are against NATO supplies through Pakistan.
Whenever Army is cornered they looked for help from the Parliament. All the dirty jobs are for the Parliament.