Kayani, who was speaking to the media during a visit to Giari sector, said that neighbours should live together peacefully.
The army chief was visiting the area along with President Asif Ali Zardari, where both were briefed about rescue operations to search for 138 troops and civilians who were buried by a massive avalanche over a week ago.
The army chief also said that, “We will pay whatever cost we have to for the defence of Pakistan”.
Zardari and Kayani were also accompanied by Interior Minister Rehman Malik. He was received by Governor Gilgit-Baltistan Pir Karam Ali Shah, Chief Minister Syed Mehdi Shah, Kayani and the area Corp Commander.
The president during his visit had an aerial view of the search and rescue activities being undertaken by the army personnel. Later he was given a detailed briefing about the activities underway by Force Command Northern Areas (FCNA) Commander Major Gen Ikramul Haq.
He directed that all available resources be utilised to further expedite the operation in view of any possible snow slides due to a rise in temperature rise and that the Presidency be kept informed about the progress.
On April 7, a giant wall of snow crashed down in the Giari sector, swamping the battalion headquarters of 6 Northern Light Infantry, where 124 soldiers and 14 civilians were stationed. Rescuers have yet to pull out a single person, dead or alive.
Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif had visited the site on Tuesday and had called on both Pakistan and India to climb down from the icy battlefield. He had advised the Pakistani government to take the lead and withdraw its troops from Siachen Glacier.
He had also given away cheques for Rs 500,000 to each aggrieved family and announced that the Punjab government will provide a job to each affected family and finance the education of their children.
COMMENTS (41)
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@DB:
Your solution is death warant for Pakistan. Wait for 15 years, Pakistan will not be on the world map.
@DB: First explain how Pakistan entered Kashmir, who invited you there? Plebiscite to be held when all the stake holders including Kashmir Pandits, Dogras, Budhists, Sikhs return to Kashmir in total peace. Finally Pakistan should withdraw all her troops and government machinery to hold a free and fair plebiscite. You understand the position now.
@DB: here another : 1) Accept Balochistan was wrongly annexed by Pakistan. 2) Hold plebiscite in Balochistan 3) All Armies go home!
surprised to see kayani talking to media-men
Only one question for Kiyani. If you really mean it, what has stopped you till now from reducing your defence budget or getting on better with India? In any case, it is not for any army chief to issue directives on foreign ppolicy in any country. We have been bluffed for too long to belive such statements.
@observer: How about siging AGP of 1972? It can solve then in 2 seconds.
@Mahad:
You have got to be kidding me. Those soldiers are sacrificing themselves to sit on a patch of ice with no strategic value.
@DB: Sign up for a plebiscite? And accept Pakistan's aggression in 1947 when it invaded the princely state of kashmir, why? Wait I have abetter idea and it only requires two steps,
Step 1: Accept the LOC as the international border. Step 2: All armies go home (we will even throw in siachen as a bonus)
@Noise:
He does run the country. At least with regard to the important decisions.
His he serious or wants his fifteen minutes fame? On his first visit he wants resolution and poor soldiers have to stay there for months. Who is stopping him? Minimum that is required for resolution is well known to every one. Sign the actual ground position and Indian PM will come to Pakistan in a hearteat to sign it. Are you waitining for a tragedy to resolve other issues with India?? Why not resolve those too while you are at it. Why stop on only this issue?
@kalchakra: " Kayani is being a gentleman, giving Indians a chance to save face."
1.You are clearly in need of a history lesson. The SIachen glacier is on the Indian part of LOC per Simla agreement 2. Both India and Pakistan tried to occupy it but India got their first. There have been several attempts by Pakistan to dislodge India but none of them were successful 3. Finally Pak tried a tit for tat in Kargill but unlike Pakistan who was unable to eject Indians from Siachen glacier, India DID successfully eject Pakistan from Kargill. Pakistan had to run to US to get a unilateral ceasefire.
India does not need to 'save face'. There is nothing that Pak armed forces have not rried. There is nothing that they have succeeded at.
@DB Plebiscite? fine lets start with Balochistan. About Kashmir no discussion it is integral part of India.If you want claim the region based on religious lines then be ready to receive 200 million muslims of India too.Would you able to handle it?
@Noise:
The ruling politicians are too busy lining their pockets with the taxpayers' money (or whatever's left of it)
@kalchakra: you like it or not India there to stay if it suites you stay else get out of there. PS: this is only at kalchakra: May god give strength to the families of the bereaved. soldier is a soldier any part of the world a great breed on their own I have some of my closest friends in forces.
@ kayani,
we dont care
@observer: Sign the AGPL, as in except the Indian military aggression on Siachen glacier? Remember it was your Indian army that invaded Siachen.
Here's a better solution: Step 1: Except Kashmir as disputed territory Step 2: Hold plebiscite to decide future of Kashmir Step 3: All armies go home.
Its very strategic position indeed. Both parties - India and Pakistan - have to agree on some agreement, both of them will not withdraw armed forces until one gives some concession to the other which seems impossible.
"We will pay whatever cost we have to for the defence of Pakistan”. that's the spirit!
Don't show all your cards at once. PLs and don't follow political statements, its not easy to do so, there are so many things to consider before this.
This guys talks like he already runs the country. Generals should not be making foreign policy statements, thats the job of the ruling politicians.
@MM:
Apart from the 60% military already gets? Why?
Pakistan wants resolution of Siachen issue: Kayani
This can be done in 2 minutes flat.
Minute 1- Sign the AGPL.
Minute 2- Both the Armies go home.
Are you up to it?
The entire sub-continent suffers from a sense of false pride and honor. Pity!
Lollipop for masses.
@kdm: Zardari is the wisest guy in the country, any time.
he had to go becoz AAZ doesnt go anywhere without him
Aggrieved families awaiting compensation package from central government in line with Punjab.
finally zardari got some wisdom!
@Sonia Wahab: You think some where sense previals these days.
What is the interior minister doing there? All else is well and good in the country!!
138 people means 138 families. Does it really worth? Secondly this military NON-SENSE is damaging the envoirnment.
ET please correct it that it is not a rescue operation anymore. Since the chances of soldiers found alive are diminished so please call it a Search operation. There is a difference in Search and Rescue operation. I think in coming days focus will be on Search operations and rescue operations are already called off.
:( :(
More Power Mr. President!
They are all friends now ~~~~!!!