Pakistan Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani (R) and Commander Sri Lanka Army General Jagath Jayasuriya at the Sri Lankan Military Academy on Saturday. PHOTO: ISPR
Speaking at the passing out parade of Sri Lankan cadets at the Sri Lankan Military Academy, Kayani stressed that they desired regional stability based on a balance of power that promotes respect for each other’s sovereignty and discourages any quest for hegemony or dominance.
“Desire for peace is our greatest strength, which places us at a high moral ground and affords us the poise and confidence to exercise restraint, even once incited or provoked.”
Strong friendship
Pakistan military and the Sri Lankan armed forces share a close bond after the former helped the latter in fighting the LTTE militants for nearly three decades.
“Sri Lankan Army has proved its mettle under the most trying circumstances and has emerged victorious not only in the context of purging the menace of militancy and violence but also in pursuit of post conflict peace and stability.”
The army chief added that as Sri Lanka first fought and then sought to establish peace and rebuild, Pakistan stood by them.
“Pakistan has proved to be a true friend of Sri Lanka in your hour of need. I believe this provides a very strong foundation for a sincere friendship and genuine goodwill that exists between our two nations and armed forces.”
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Chief of a mega-defeated army (1971 war) speaks before the cadets of a victorious army (2009). Not a good example for the cadets. A very wrong decision by the inviting Sri Lankan government.
@Rashid: "And if that means, we have to accept Azmal Kasav was a Pakistani, so be it.And if that means, we have to accept Azmal Kasav was a Pakistani, so be it." Like it's said,"Naqal key liya bhee aqal ke zaroorat hoti hy." Nice try, but failed miserably.
well i think Genral Kiyani should not have used the term like balance of power ,hegemony or dominance because he of course knows what he is speaking as a COAS of pakistan but should have realized that to stop all those he mentioned action is needed not mere world and if entire South Asia even combines against India lets take it for once then also India's military strength and defense spending is far higher than that.If any country is believing India is having hegemonistic design then do you all friends think they have then have that capability to stop India, the answer is no and not only this if they ever tries to group against India then its a childish thought.India is a giant and very big power which some for the sake of enemity and ego not necessarily Kayani does not realises till now or they do not wish to realise that India has gone to far ahead to catch and enemity with it will only bring disaster.South Asia frankly speaking has no options left except cooperating with India but as a friend.
So the COAS is asking the newly inducted officers that Pakistan Army stands for peace? In other words, an "Army" stands for peace? Funny then how the officers are more interested in getting cars and bikes on easy installments from CSD rather than prepare for the day of war. This is what Armies are for. Our police is enough to stand for peace i.e., by not countering terrorism.
@FYI: All neighbouring countries are too dependent on india and they will not and can't do nothing against india for the sake of pakistan interest.
From an ET reader ++++++++++++++++ Qn. Why are no Locomotives being produced in Pakistan? Ans.: First 50 years we were struggling against India and after having failed in that, against Afghanistan. We just had no time. And now Kayani declares it was all in the Army's quest of Peace!
"Peace" and "high moral ground"? This guy Kayani is a joker who wears all his fancy uniforms to impress the gullible Pakistani public. There can be nothing worse than the Pakistani army.
"Pakistan military and the Sri Lankan armed forces share a close bond after the former helped the latter in fighting the LTTE militants for nearly three decades."
If two great armies could defeat LTTE, what stops them defeating TTP? Pakistan deserves a return gift from Sri Lankan army. let us hope Sri Lankan army units will be landing soon in Pakistan to put up a joint fight against TTP.
@Rashid:
"Our obsession with balance of power (with India off course) that has led us to this quagmire. Do you think Canada, or Mexico, or Guatemala seeks balance of power with US? Or Ireland with UK? No they don’t. Punching above our height is a national obsession."
Very sane thoughts. As for examples, a better one would be Bangladesh, once the bigger part of Pakistan, that has no national obsession about 'balance of power'.
@Rashid: Dont pretend to be Pakistani, the way you spell Azmal Kasav shows who you are :P
Guys understand the logic behind the moral high grounds. Kayani wants to verbally arm Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bangladesh against India and its Armed Forces. He knows the past, present and future acquisitions of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, CISF and BSF. Now he wants other countries in the Indian Subcontinent to believe that India is danger to them. It is not India's quest for hegemony or dominance, but it needs to protect its large borders, coasts and mountains / glaciers. For this it requires constant upgradation and modernisation of its Armed Forces. This should not send signals of any kind.
@Vasan
"Difficult to believe." You can believe, or not believe what you like. We simply don't care. We are determined to attain permanent peace. We will do anything to achieve piece. And if that means, we have to accept Azmal Kasav was a Pakistani, so be it.
Gosh! I never thought Indians would be that scared! Even with a word of mouth from COAS and they are running to find refuge in numbers game :)
@Shan
Exactly my feelings. Our obsession with balance of power (with India off course) that has led us to this quagmire. Do you think Canada, or Mexico, or Guatemala seeks balance of power with US? Or Ireland with UK? No they don't. Punching above our height is a national obsession.
@Vasan: Don't attribute Indian acts to Pakistan.
Kyani has some good sense of humor. I like it.
Is it a joke or genuine change of heart ? Desire for peace giving moral high ground ? Pakistan army, spencer of terrorists, initiator of 3 wars with neighbors, an army of state with revisionist strategies, saying these things ? Difficult to believe
What balance of power this guy is talking about? There is no balance of power, as India is becoming too strong day by day to handle.May be balance of power with afghanistan and pakistan then ok, he is correct.