As we reported two months earlier, Prime Minister of Pakistan Yusuf Raza Gilani Thursday extended the term of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Ashfaq Paervez Kayani for three years starting from November 29, 2010.
Annoucement came days after high level US administration delegation visited Islamabad. In an exclusive report on May 17th, 2010, we published a report confirming that General Kayani will get an extension because American administrtion does not want to change local leadership mid-stream.
Today Pakistani Premier praised General Kayani’s professional capabilities and said his leadership qualities are valued both domestically and internationally. He said the decision to extend the term of COAS has been in consultation with the President Asif Ali Zardari ‘to ensure successful culmination of the ongoing war against terrorism’.
“The government is presently engaged in war against terrorism which is now in a critical stage,” the Premier pointed out, adding, this requires continuity of military leadership under the present Army Chief who led successful operations in Swat, Malakand and South Waziristan.
He said the Army Chief, due to his professional capabilities and leadership qualities, is looked upon with respect and honor both domestically and internationally.
The Prime Minister said the operations initiated against Army Chief remained engaged in the planning, execution and supervision of military operations, making possible success of the offensives launched against the militants.
General Kayani who succeeded Gen Musharraf as Pakistan’s 14th army chief on November 29, 2007, is a recipient of Hilal-i-Imtiaz and Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) for his meritorious services.
He served at various levels of command including his stint as Director General Inter Services Intelligence.
Besides being Chief of Staff Corps, General Kayani has also held the coveted post of Director General Military Operations.
General Kayani is a graduate of Fort Benning (USA), Command and Staff College Quetta, Command and General Staff College Fort Leavenworth (USA), Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies, Hawaii (USA), and National Defence College Islamabad.
He possesses wide ranging experience in Command, Instructional and staff appointments and has commanded an infantry Battalion, Infantry Brigade, Infantry Division and a Corps.
Ibrahim Sajid Malick is a Pakistani-American writer, technologist, and social entrepreneur. He has been writing on Pakistani society and politics since 1986. He has held several media, communications, and technology positions for organizations large and small. Mr. Malick graduated from New School for Social Research with a master’s degree in anthropology. He holds several technology and management certifications. He works for a leading technology firm and blogs at www.ibrahimsajidmalick.com
I remember your blog forecasting that General Kayani is getting an extension. Later it turned into a debate and Prime Minister Gilani said that it is not the time of his retirement and he has not yet asked for extension yet. You were definitely the first one to break this news. Congratulations!
General Ayub and Musharraf served long terms as Chief of the army. Kyani is well on his way. 3 years extension means he is good until 2014 and the civilian government that granted him the extension would be gone after completing a full term, if they do manage a full term. Did Kyani receive agricultural lands with those medals he won? How many houses does he own?