Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani (Extreme L) and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (2nd L) inspect the Guard of Honour at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Tuesday. PHOTO: PID
Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani welcomed Nawaz upon his arrival. The prime minister was also presented with a guard of honour.
The premier paid homage to the soldiers by laying a wreath on the memorial for martyrs.
He was briefed on the current security situation in the country during his visit.
The visit to the General Headquarters (GHQ) came against the backdrop of fading hopes of any peace deal with Taliban as a result of Hakimullah Mehsud’s killing in a drone strike last week.
A senior military official had told The Express Tribune that the prime minister would be given in-depth briefing about the current security situation.
Earlier the official had said that Nawaz would also interact with Kayani's likely successor.
Kayani is set to retire later this month. The government, however, has yet to make any announcement that who would be his successor.
An official, speaking on condition of anonymity, had said earlier that the army would give its input about the prospects of peace talks with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), particularly after Mullah Fazlullah became its new chief.
It is believed that military authorities are apprehensive that this change may not augur well for the peace efforts.
“He (Fazlullah) may push the government to another military operation,” a defence source had said.
His gesture was also aimed at showing solidarity with the army at a time when Jamaat-e-Islami chief Munawar Hassan has stirred a controversy by questioning the ‘martyrdom’ of the soldiers fighting militancy.
Another official had said that the PM’s visit was an indication of improved civil-military relationship.
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Wow! Nothing changes in Pakistan. The prime minister "visits" GHQ instead of summoning the generals to his own office! Goes to prove that the army still is the real boss of Pakistan.
"Only the President, the supreme commander, is presented a Guard of Honor by his Armed Forces, and that too on an occasion of national importance. Not to the Prime Minister, unless he/she is representing the country in SOME OTHER country on behalf of his/her country."
I agree with Raj. In fact in the picture with this news item Mr. Nawaz Sharif is looking like a foreign dignitary visiting Pakistan.
@Raj: You said it in more details what few of us wanted to say briefly. Hope you had not been coordinating such activities in the past? Let us hope SOP s get right for Pak army also.
@ Ch. Allah Daad - My point is not PM should not visit GHQ, my point is that why in your own country , guard of honour is presented and a wreath of flowers is offered to martyred soldiers i such a formal way. These two ceremonies are done when head of a state visits another country. This definitely means that, the army treats the PM as a guest in his own country and a guest has to remain in his limits. If the guest does something that annoys the host, then the guest can be asked to leave. Also, the secret maps, and discussion can be done at PM office also. PM should take charge now completly. Enough is enough.
Peace talks between Pakistani leadership and TTP are only and only connected with the stoppage of US' drones' attacks permanently not temporarily or for limited time and US neither shall stop drones' strikes nor shall let successful peace talks with TTP and as usual targets the peace talks' process on the exact time because US' drones' attacks can't stop unless Pakistan stops US' aid and this is impossible because Pakistan much more depends upon US' aid.......
@Mogambo: 'The premier paid homage to the soldiers by laying a wreath on the memorial for martyrs'. He just couldn't lay a floral wreath for martyrs in the prime minister house. The gesture also have a different connotations, showing respect and praise for the army men killed in the fight against terrorism so far, it also suggests good relationship between the two, as it is proven respect begets respect. This is nothing against SOP's.
The text below did mentioned 'The premier paid homage to the soldiers by laying a wreath on the memorial for martyrs'.
Against the backdrop of all the hoopla being created about the 'Martyrdom Syndrome' the visit in the wake of it will boost the morale of the army Jawans. In war like situation this is a very good gesture. Time and again US presidents visits Pentagon to get briefings and also visit the battle lines.
Seriously, these kids are whining on this thing.. being prime minister he can go anywhere and seriously it was needed to boost the moral of our Army which have impacted with stupid comments of some of our leaders.. Bravo MNS.. you have done the right thing.. let the kids whining as usual.. :D
@Abdullah Khan:
I trust that you are not an egghead troll of Deen-e-Ilzam?!
@Raj:
In the US they do, since unlike Pakistan, its a presidential system. Teeny tiny flaw in your rather long-winded polemic.
I doubt Obama has ever been to the Pentagon - USA military reports to the President.
@Abdullah Khan: Well said in childish english.....
@ Syed A. Mateen Very easy to say Pakistan Zindabad but to unite Pakistan is something only the Supernatural can do!
@Abdullah Khan What a childish diatribe and an insult to rhetoric.
@Raj
Those are very logical, well-established norms, and protocols. They are respected, followed, and adhered to all over the world in civilized modern states. Why waste your time and keystrokes writing that about Pakistan? The country of Pakistan and specially the revered and sacred Pak Army are extraordinary and no laws or rules apply in Pakistan or to the Pak Army. They are Supreme. They are unique, land of the pure, they charter their own course and destiny. You need not show light to the blind... because they cannot see.
@Abdullah Khan: Nice conspiracy theory;Was expected of your ilk.Denial is a good strategy to cope ,but fatal in the long run.
It is not written any where in the Constitution of Pakistan that Prime Minister cannot go to GHQ.
It is a matter that PM and Army Chief can go any where according to their convenience.
The PM has very rightly gone to GHQ to pay homage to the martyrs (soldiers of Pakistan) who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
I don't know what Pakistanis raise objections unnecessarily without any legitimate reasons?
The IQ of the common people is as such that when ISPR raised objections on Jaamat-e-Islami's Chief Mr. Munawar Hassan, every one wrote in the favour of ISPR statement but when the Jaamat-e-Islami Chief took stand on his statement, majority of the people started raising objections on ISPR statement?
We have a habit to raise objections just for the very simple reason of raising objections, without any logic and legitimacy.
Why don't we all get united under one Pakistani Flag and say PAKISTAN ZINDABAD and leave every thing behind?
My view is different. We all knows Pakistan Army is the Subordinate of USA. JI is the B team of Pakistan Army , Taliban commander are the members of Ji especially Fazaliullah All are sitting in one boat the USA driving the boat . USA is now want Pak Army Government in Pakistan for its safe withdrawal. NS is man of KSA. US is no more want Relationship with KSA king . US instructed JI to say some thing which create an atmosphere for Army Take over after killing of Hakeemullah. Ji did it. NS understand the whole game So he Visited GHQ to Pray for his and his family life. And also offer him extension for 2 years more.
@Ch. Allah Daad:
Yeah and next year the Azam-e-Nau military exercises would be held on the grounds of Prime Minister House just because the PM would be in dire need to tell everyone as to who is the Boss around.
An elected Prime Minister formally visiting an officer three rungs down from the command structure (President > Prime Minister > Defense Minister > Secretary Defense > Army Chief), and then be presented a Guard of Honor!
You guys have it all mixed up! Try ordering some books from Sandhurst or someplace, and read them up!
Only the President, the supreme commander, is presented a Guard of Honor by his Armed Forces, and that too on an occasion of national importance. Not to the Prime Minister, unless he/she is representing the country in SOME OTHER country on behalf of his/her country.
A Guard of Honor is not some Band Baaja Baraat or Daawat that can or should be organized for anyone! There are rules for this sort of thing.
In a civilian-controlled setup, the chain of command, even if a tad inefficient, is of prime importance.
If the PM ever needs a briefing from the Army Chief, the Prime Minister's Office informs the chief, through the chain of command, and the Army Chief sets up ("requests" actually) an appointment with the PMO, and arrives prepared, right on the appointed date and time, in his ceremonial dress, with his cap under his arm, without a sidearm, baton or any other such device, and answers the questions he is asked. The Defense Minister, Secretary Defence, and the Joint Chief (if there is one) are present as observers as a courtesy to the civilian leadership when the Army Chief meets the PM, unless the PM requests a one-to-one meeting, bypassing the hierarchy. Regardless, minutes are recorded, and copies filed in more than one location for future reference. If there are any off-the-record discussions, the said discussions are not recorded in the minutes, although the minutes do record that there were some off-the-record discussions.
That is how it is done, and is supposed to work between a democratic, civilian-led government, and professional armed forces under its command.
But then, we are talking about Pakistan here.
It is the religious centre party which has the Government in Germany and it is the religious centre party in Turkey which governs Turkey. The military in both countries have been margnalised and have no role in politics. For Pakistan to follow the lead of Turkey would mean that the JI receive the majority support so that the army is sent back to their barracks. The army has no role to play among the citizens who want peaceful oexistance. The alternative is the Egyptian or the syrian way!!
Rex Minor
By naming Mullah Fazlullah there is a clear message end to the prospect of talks intensification of violence and terror on the part of the Taliban.but our brainless politician can not understand the message and totally confused
2% Pakistani Inferiority complex class reflecting wonderful remarks :P
when our prime minister and COAS going th waziristan to lay a wreath and pay homage on the grave of Hakimullah Mehsud....who has been declared shaheed by our relgious parties including PTI
@Tight Patloon: Prime Minister went to GHQ to inspect planning and preparation of army. In GHQ, they have (I hope) all tools, maps and secret plans. Every head of state and government visit their forces head quarters. Next visit of Prime Minister is to a Navy ship, would you say why Navy did not bring their ship to Prime Minister Office. Please let Prime Minister do his job.
@faysal: Perhaps by driving that jeep personally, he sent some message, not so veiled, and that is a demonstration of the fact that the one who sits in driving seat steers and commands, you know what I mean.
I think NS was called for reminding him that this time he will not be sent to Jeddah.
This is the gesture needed from the Prime Minster. It is commendable and well in time. It will certainly boost the morale of our Army.
peace must b given a chanc, those gone cant return, others may b saved from such brutality
army chief should have been called to PM office really? he has been called there several times before.but every occassion is different.how can PM pay homage to martyrs of war from his office? last week this army chief was driving the jeep of PM.u guys didnt see it? stop whinning about everything.
You can fight while having peace talks. TTP just needs excuses. It is incapable of actually adding value. Only knows how to cause harm.
it wasn't peace process it was a surrender process
PMLN is increasingly becoming a political liability. Government is in total chaos. Visionless PM, together with inefficient defense minister, and a pliant foreign minister is destroying the self respect of this nation. Saudis are holding his strings, and he has nothing but to dance to their tunes.
As if Nawaz Sharif had gone to a foreign country where he was presented guard of honour and he then laid wreath on the martyred soldiers. This is strange and stupid. For meeting with the army cheif, the PM should have called the army chief to his office for a discussion.