Chief of Army Staff General Kayani. PHOTO: PPI/FILE
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani decided to retire from his post. Kayani will step down on November 29 as army chief after serving twice the normal three-year term for the position.
The Inter Services Public Relations issued a press release announcing his decision to retire. Kayani in the press release said that he has no intention of extending his tenure as COAS.
Aiming to dispel rumors of his move to occupy a new, powerful position, the army chief said, "For quite sometime, my current responsibilities and likely future plans have been debated in the media with all sorts of rumours and speculations doing the rounds. The subject of being entrusted with new duties has also come up in several reports. I am grateful to the political leadership and the nation for reposing their trust in me and Pakistan Army at this important juncture of our national history. However, I share the general opinion that institutions and traditions are stronger than individuals and must take precedence."
Sources and aides close to Kayani had earlier said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wanted to make him head of a revamped and more powerful Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC).
One senior intelligence official said Sharif planned to overhaul the JCSC, a largely ceremonial office, into a “central defense body” by restoring its command over the entire military establishment and giving it additional powers.
“The new JCSC chief will be in charge of the nuclear arsenal. He’ll decide on action against terrorists,” said the source, adding that new powers included the right to promote, post and transfer key military officers.
“Basically, the JCSC office will be what it was always supposed to be. The overall boss.”
According to a Wall Street Journal report citing military and civilian officials, Kayani is prepared to “accept a revamped Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee job, currently a largely ceremonial post that would be given more authority, or to become defence adviser to the government.”
The WSJ report further cited officials saying that he could also be made ambassador to the US.
FULL TEXT OF ISPR PRESS RELEASE
No PR161/2013-ISPR Dated: October 6, 2013
Rawalpindi - October 6, 2013: Responding to the media reports about his future, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said:-
"For quite sometime, my current responsibilities and likely future plans have been debated in the media with all sorts of rumours and speculations doing the rounds. The subject of being entrusted with new duties has also come up in several reports. I am grateful to the political leadership and the nation for reposing their trust in me and Pakistan Army at this important juncture of our national history. However, I share the general opinion that institutions and traditions are stronger than individuals and must take precedence.
As I complete my tenure the will of the people has taken root and a constitutional order is in place. The armed forces of Pakistan fully support and want to strengthen this democratic order. Pakistan Army has made its contribution towards this desired END with complete clarity of mind and a comprehensive understanding of the trajectory Pakistan needs to take. They have also proven, on countless occasions, through their priceless sacrifices that the defence and prosperity of Pakistan is their highest priority.
I have served this great nation and had the privilege of commanding the finest Army of the world for six years to the best of my abilities and with the sincerest of my intentions. It is time for others to carry forward the mission of making Pakistan a truly democratic, prosperous and peaceful country that embodies the finest dreams our founding fathers had envisaged for us.
My tenure ends on 29th November 2013. On that day I will retire. May the Almighty Allah help and guide us all."
COMMENTS (49)
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Our top guns, without exception, do not wish to retire, they have to be pushed out.
very said , what will Pakistani lawyers do now, they are not finding any buisiness, please TV Channels make some breaking news.
Very amusing, as if it was he who had to decide whether he stays or not. Reflects poorly on the Govt. Weak is the only word which comes to my mind. It should strengthen Institutions like NAB where again a game of Musical Chairs is going on.
@fawad:
"The illusion of civilian supremacy was exposed in this event. Prime Minister had no guts to say that Army Chief will retire after completing his tenure and in the end it had to be the Army Chief himself to declare that he will not extend his tenure."
Very good observation. That really shows who is still the boss in Pakistan.
Pakistan as Nation has not owned US War for Terror during past 10 years in spite of endless propaganda, fog of confusion, daily bomb blast, huge investment in media and academia.
There’s a stark difference between a freedom fight, national war and a ruling elite war. Freedom and National wars enjoy the support of the majority of their population, while ruling elite wars are driven by the naked greed for the NATO Logistics Contracts, Extensions, Political Backing, %age/cut in Aid money and purchase of military hardware, oil corporations, security companies, and entities that profit from massacring innocent men, women and children of defenseless in Waziristan and Tribal Area.
As it is, Generals like Mush, Pasha, Kayani etc. are always ambitious for extensions, new roles, to add stars on their collars – and for the perks that follow – but what do the lowly soldiers get by serving as cannon fodder to ruling elites greed? Amputated limbs and PSTD.
Since ruling elite wars have no credible objectives, the masses and soldiers lack the essential inspiration and sense of pride, and are soon driven to the edge of despondency.
A good general.... done his job with professional excellence...
Six years is more than enough. Institutions and organs of state are more important than individuals, who are dispensable. The world's graveyards are proof, if any is required. Happy retirement to Gen Kayani. May the next chief lead our army in the best tradition and interests of the country, rather than that of individual interests. God bless Pakistan. .
Kayani had no option but to make this announcement, after the story in the WSJ today. The story in turn was fed to the WSJ by PMLN to put pressure on the general. Adios!
Dear General Kayani,
Thank you for going out with dignity...and style! I was fan since you became the COAS (partly cuz you looked like my Nana who served in the law enforcement with dignity and was widely respected) and thank you for not ruining that perception, however naive it might have been :)
I am certain there a numerous other ways you can contribute to Pakistan's future and I hope you will continue to engage and reach out to a new audience.
Adios!
Architect of NRO...all the present situation of Pakistan goes to his credit...
Please dismiss this corupt incompetent government mr kayni
General Kiyani is one of the most respected General 's of Pakistan Army.
From General Musharraf to Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif, he has served the country to tye best of his abilities.
I wish him all the best in his future endeavors.
AMEEN.
Good riddance. Had he done his job he would have purged the military of the militant/terrorist supporters and half of Pakistan wouldn't be under the control of the Taliban. OBL might have found another country to seek sanctuary and at a minimum the USA would have cooperated with Pakistan in his capture providing Pakistan a much needed boost to it's international image.
Right -- whatever, Gen Kayani gave a chance to political leadership to govern the country and allowed democracy to take roots.Don't we realize that our political leadership has not matured as yet to govern the country. Zardari's government virtually left the field open to Army because of their incompetence to conduct war on terror and NS government too has not been able to find a way out. Allah may protect Pakistan and all its people.
@fawad: I was going to say the same words. Its was a slap on the face of civilian government when he said that he would not extend his tenure. When will these Generals understand that they are servants of Pakistan and not vice versa. Our old generation created Pakistan when they had not even a single general and lost half when they had hundreds.
However, I share the general opiniVon that institutions and traditions are stronger than individuals and must take precedence. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++v Very curious.....that Kayani deelops! this insight after overstaying for 3 year
@Faisal:
i said good job pmln on this issue, didnt say well done on electricity prices increase (which btw was the right move) didnt say good job on petrol prices (dictated by global prices), didnt say good job on rupee devaluation (which was a natural consequence of the IMF bailout which was essential for economic survival) didnt say well done on load shedding (which has built up over a decade and will take more than a few months to correct) You used the word relevant: are you sure you know what it means?
If history is ever written honestly in Pakistan, this man will be celebrated.
I used to support you General but after i saw the reality, i hate you know ! You let the politicians rape this country and you watched them destroy Pakistan but you didn't do any thing. You saved the constitution but Pakistan got destroyed.
I hope USA and Sharifs will make you a Quarter to stay in Raiwand.
Oh media
Good riddance.
If it were up to the Sharifs, they will make Captain Safdar the next COAS.
It so appears that my comments on ET had the desired effect, and he was asked to leave(pun intended). However, a good decision by the civilian govt but do hope that it takes another wise one by not holding talks with TTP and eliminate them by launching a decisive operation under the new Chief soon otherwise killings would continue and an anarchy shall engulf the whole country.
'Commanding the finest army of the world .' Hope he is not preparing for a comedy show post retirement !
Is he going to retire in USA/London or at his farmhouse in Pakistan?
Good job chief.respect
Now join the family business and become a member of the uber rich club of Pak.
Good decision indeed.
The illusion of civilian supremacy was exposed in this event. Prime Minister had no guts to say that Army Chief will retire after completing his tenure and in the end it had to be the Army Chief himself to declare that he will not extend his tenure.
Good decision, one should get rid of power and disappear before addiction of power makes your another Musharraf.
Respect for the General !!!
This statement has been made to stop the wind mill gossips created by immature, vested interests guided defaming media.
Judging by what he has accomplished as COAS, one would have thought he had retired years ago. Is it a retirement when leave your job where you did nothing and played golf to playing golf and doing nothing? New COAS's press statement: I inherited the problem of terrorism and Nw/fata from previous government and COAS. The army is of capable giving befitting reply to the enemies both internal and external.......................but...........................we are waiting for the 'civilian' governments approval. Rinse, wash, repeat.
why does it feel that the timing of his announcement(and the decision itself), has to do with the tone of wall street article, and the recent ridicule in the media.
aaaaaa: Wt are you trying to do here Sir? Good job PMLN???????? Trying to become relevant, pls worry about 60% price hike in electricity prices, petroleum prices, dying rupee, load shedding and all issues N league has failed miserably to address.
Now settle down in USA, where you belong
His first good decision. Finally worst era of cowardice will end. We need a General, not a Diplomat as leader of our brave army.
Will ET now please apologise to readers for their malicious articles about Gen.kayani lobbying for powerful slot in the past 2 days? its high time media starts responsible journalism...
Good decision. Well done!
Yes now be full time golfer and also write memoirs about all the mistakes made during the tenure a favourite past time of our generals whose conscience is suddenly awaken when they retire....
Badluck to Pakistan. Next COAS is Lahori.
He didn't do anything remarkable like controlling TTP or LeJ, otherthan sending sending bunch of terrorists to India.
Well if this is indeed true then one certainly has to give credit to NS for keeping his word on this. This was a massive decision, which would set the course for military-civil ties for years to come, and the correct one has been made. Good job PMLN.
He should have resigned when Navy Seal entered in Pakistan. Well we will consider he had an extension from May 2, 2011 till October 6, 2013. When comes to Kissa Kurshi ka is he different than politician or same? Proof is in the pudding.
Well done Mr. Kayani. You have left a good example in history of Pakistan by supporting democracy in letter and spirit.
Allah tera shukar.
Thank you General. Now be a full time golfer. meanwhile let us hope for a more practical Army Chief who makes sure to crush LeJ, TTP and criminals.