Will retire on November 29, Kayani confirms
New Army Chief and the Joint chief of Army Staff likely to be announced tomorrow.
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."
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."