Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani. PHOTO: AFP
Addressing the parade at the military academy in Kakul just as the clocks struck midnight, General Kayani said that while freedom was a blessing, each and every one had a responsibility in maintaining it.
“We should never forget that freedom is a blessing but we have some duties to maintain it.”
The Army Chief said that while the country faced a number of external and internal challenges, the internal challenges required our special attention.
“Today we face a number of internal and external challenges. Internal challenges need our special attention. They are a threat to Pakistan's sanctity and to every Pakistani's life and property.”
Kayani said that the only way to overcome the challenges was if we are united and act after forming consensus over one solution.
“To overcome them [challenges] effectively it is not enough for one or few state institutions to work for it, this is struggle will have to be made by every government institution, in fact the entire society. If we do not unite, it will be very difficult to control this [terrorism].”
The Chief of Army Staff added that while there could exist a difference of opinion on which strategy to implement, it was important to form consensus on one strategy and implement it quickly.
“While there can be difference of opinion on strategy against terrorism, posturing before it is not a solution. We should go to every extent to create a national consensus on a solution and unite to implement it as soon as possible.”
He said that we must form consensus on one solution to remove doubt.
“This war can only be won when we form a consensus on one solution so that we don't have any doubts in our minds, nor do the terrorists.”
"Terrorists will never succeed in their purpose because this nation, which has faced worst form of terrorism for a decade has not allowed fear and terror to dictate them, terrorism as a strategy can never succeed. The best example is the entire nation coming out to vote in the elections.
"We should not have any doubt that we as a nation were failures or ever will be. For this we need firm resolve, Allah's help and good fortune.
"Those who express suspicions and doubts about Pakistan fail to understand Pakistani nation's resolve and resilience. It is important that we rise above our ethnic, religious and linguistic differences and understand, the way forward will automatically become easy."
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Dear General, You really have to determine who the real terrorists are before you start fighting them. A certain foreign power from the West started the whole problem, but people like you have tricked the gullible people, of which there are an awful lot, into thinking the problem lies with internal groups. Good job. You will be well paid to fight mythical terrorists into the foreseeable future, whilst the authentic killers of several million people over the last 13 years get away with it. Oh, I almost forgot. There are also a whole bunch of well paid, low functioning people, like you, in the UN and the CIA who will be fully supportive. I wonder why almost all countries and world organizations have people in power who have brains that do not work, or at least do not work in the best interests of the people and encourage terrorism at the highest level. The Pakistan authorities have had 13 years to work it out. I am not holding my breath that you ever will.
Should we take this as a message for political leadership that they should not take security related decisions at their own?
Remember............. his 6 year period will end in a few days.
General sahib knows that there will be no consensus because within our own LEA there is no consensus. There are legislators both in the lower and upper houses who either openly support variety of terrorism or condemn them with minced words. Nations mindset is plagued with different ideologies which has also now entered in the Red Zone (Our System). We pray to Almighty Allah for someone who can wipe out all these provocative without any ifs and buts or favor. Pakistan was not created to become hostage to these indoctrinated people. God Bless our country and Happy Independence Day to all who love to see Pakistan as a prosperous country.
Another set of empty rhetoric as trotted out on all these so-called national days. Nothing is meant to be taken seriously. Do not be fooled.
Sir, The Consensus does not mean the elected civilian government must follow your view and accept it. They want dialogue with the Taliban and you oppose it. How can there be consensus?
Its evident who's incharge in pakistan, no speech from pm/prez on the front page
@Travel_Tart: In Pakistan only...
@Travel_Tart: Yes his job and also that of the CJ
His job is to give speeches?
First and foremost, the army should submit itself to the politicians. They know the people and their psychology better than the paid public servants.
Your job is to protect the country from invaders and attackers. Next time when an external enemy invades, you will ask for building a concensus of how to respond? Or just ask the government?
@Fahad: You are right. Very few.
Time is running out, General Kayani, both in terms of your service as well as for Pakistan to turn around. You would do well to declare once and for all, in unequivocal terms, that the army is against all terrorist groups that operate within and from the soil of Pakistan. There is no good terrorist; all terrorists are evil. The country cannot afford another war that seems to be looming on the horizon. Forget about the silly strategic depth theory fathered by the likes of Hamid Gul; it has had a horrible blowback effect for the 185+ million people of Pakistan.
Truely Said the Chief in Command...
Hopefully all Political Parties, Media, law enforcement agencies will come up with suggestions to the elected govt and finally a common agenda should be formed to fight the challenges.
Hoping everyone should show maturity including IK.
Consensus against terrorism would never happen till Qiyamat. You need no one's permission to eliminate those who have cut our soldiers throats and displayed them publicly. People support fighters, not cowards.
It is imperative for Mr. Kiyani to see, what has been the outcome of his similar addresses, aired in the past on TV channels, specially the one he delivered on the yom-e-shuhada.
WELL DONE MR. KAYANI. YOUR THOUGHTS WILL BE COMMENDED.GOOD LUCK
It took 5 years for Chief to come up with a fairly logical solution! Too late Sir, Gen Haroon will decide the future stretegy! Goodbye
Sir I am glad you finally speak(wake) up.
Sir, very few realize you are the real hero of Pakistan. Long live Pak & Pak Army. Pakistan Zindabad.
General Kiyani has expressed his opinion as a true soldier.
The wish of General Kiyani is the wish of entire nation.
We need to unite ouselves in oder to combat terrorism from Pakistan.
Absolutely wonderful!
Yes sir well said, let's start by forming a consensus on corruption specially by those in power and their relatives. We can then concentrate on other forms of terrorism that plague our nation. For without that it is just lip service by vested interests inter.ested only in preserving their ill gotten gains. Inequity, injustice breeds what we see in Pakistan today. Ayaz Amir has encapsulated the problem extremely well in a opinion piece in a rival newspaper, we would do well to read it, suggest you do too sir.