Musharrafs mistakes made Kayani careful: Wikileaks
The whistle-blower website Wikileaks said that General Ashfaq Kayani is doing back door politics after learning lessons from Musharrafs mistakes.
The whistle-blower website Wikileaks released sensitive documents alleging that the Pakistans army chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayanis opposition led to the conflict on the Kerry-Lugar Bill as it was going to result in greater civilian control on the military.A correspondence from the head of the French Interagencys Pak-Afghan cell, Jasmine Zerinini, is also included in the new secret documents released by Wikileaks. The correspondence sheds light on the Pakistan Armys policies in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata). According to the released documents, General Kayani has learnt from the mistakes made by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf. He is using the parliament and the government while staying in the background, the documents allege. In this way, he is becoming an obstacle to any major change in the countrys policy pertaining to Fata. Zerininis correspondence also stated that the West has lost the opportunity to crush the Afghan Taliban with Pakistans help. The correspondence stated that with aid coming in from the Gulf States, the Haqqani network has grown too strong, that defeating it will not be easy for the Pakistani military.
COAS sets up body to probe video footage
Taking notice of an Internet video that shows Pakistan Army soldiers executing six youths clad in civvies, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani Friday ordered setting up of a commission to ascertain veracity of the footage.
The COAS said in a statement that the board of inquiry would establish the true identity of uniformed personnel and the veracity of the video footage.
‘The board will be headed by a Major General, a two star officer of Pakistan Army. He will be assisted by two/three senior officers with the experience of investigating into such incidents. Necessary technical expertise would be made available to the board’, the statement said.
General Kayani referred back to his Command Directive on the issues of Human Rights and Extra Judicial Killings, and stated that such violations of his orders, if true, will not be tolerated.He categorically stated that it is not expected of a professional army to engage in excesses against the people whom it is trying to guard against the scourge of terrorism. Expressing his determination to take strictest possible disciplinary action against the perpetrators, if identified to be soldiers of Pakistan Army, he termed the incident as unacceptable under any circumstances. He emphasized that Rules of Engagement (ROE) are sacrosanct.
He, however, cautioned against reaching hasty conclusions about involvement of Pakistan Army soldiers. He pointed out that in order to hide their identities, cause confusion and malign Pakistan Army; terrorists have previously been disguising themselves as Pakistan Army soldiers during a number of attacks including the one on GHQ.General Kayani also directed commanders at all levels to be vigilant and follow the Army policy of zero tolerance in such cases in true letter and spirit.
PM extends Army Chief’s term for 3 years
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Thursday extended the term of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Ashfaq Paervez Kayani for three years starting from November 29, 2010.
In a televised announcement, the Prime Minister 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 against militancy 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 terrorism kept Army Chief 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.
PM extends Army Chief’s term for 3 years from Nov 29
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani Thursday extended the term of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Ashfaq Paervez Kayani for three years starting from November 29, 2010.
In a televised announcement, the Prime Minister 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.
TIP asks COAS for check on Army procurements
ISLAMABAD: Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) has written a daring letter to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani asking him to direct the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) to implement the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA) 2004 rules to bring transparency in its procurements.
The letter to General Kayani dated April 1, 2010 titled, “Pakistan Armed Forces reputation is at stake due to the action of a few army officers of DHA, HIT, FWO, NLC and other Army procuring agencies in violation of procurement rules” mentions that corruption by armed forces officers endangers the very existence of the country which may result in the procurement of sub-standard arms due to conflict of interest, and for personal gains over the national cause by a few individuals.
It is worth mentioning here that TI has written numerous letters to DHA regarding implementation of PPRA 2004 rules and DHA had replied that DHA was a corporate agency and government rules did not apply on it.
The latest letter states: “A letter sent to the administrator DHA Islamabad on 27 Match, which contains following two blatant violations being committed by DHA Islamabad. PPRA has also asked for clarification from DHA Islamabad on 01.4.2010, on these violations.
1. According to DHA Islamabad Ordinance 2007, though DHA Islamabad has not been authorised to make construction byelaws and shall follow CDA construction byelaws, under the Article No 8 of Defence Housing Authority Islamabad Ordinance 2007, 8 powers, duties and function of executive board, (2)(a) provided that in such schemes in Islamabad Capital Territory, the authority shall observe the rules, regulations, byelaws etc. framed by CDA. DHA Islamabad may be ordered to use the above rules, and observe byelaws of CDA in all its construction projects, including compliance of EPA Act.
2. According to Article No 8 of Defence Housing Authority Islamabad Ordinance 2007, powers, duties and function of executive board, 8 (2) (f), on page 5 DHA can enter into contract or any type of arrangement with any local or foreign entity for carrying out the purpose of this ordinance. Government rules on the subject will be observed. DHA Islamabad may be ordered to observe Public Procurement Rules 2004 in all procurements.
But administrator DHA has been committing gross violation of DHAO 2007, Article 8(2) (f), and refusing to comply Public Procurement Rules 2004, which are the only Federal Government Procurement Rules w.e.f 9 June, 2004. S.R.O.432(I)/2004.
TIP repeats that corruption is a cancer, and corruption by armed forces officers endangers the very existence of the country. This may result in the procurement of sub standard arms due to conflict of interest, and for personal gains over the national cause by a few individuals. Indian Armed Forces are also not free from this cancer, but there actions are taken against such elements.
TI Pakistan expect from you a definite change in procurement culture of armed forces, which according to law of the land shall only be based on the Public Procurement Rules 2004, as no one is above law, and DHA Ordinance 2007 makes it mandatory on DHA Islamabad to observe these rules.”
Gen Kayani Reaches Swat
MINGORA, Pakistan: Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervaz Kayani has reached Swat while strict security measures have been taken on occasion of his visit.
General Kayani will attend a ceremony of competition among students. He will also have a briefing on the developmental projects in the city. Unannounced curfew has been imposed on Sedo Sharif Road and it has been closed for the public. Security officials contingents are deployed at various spots in the city.
Gen Kayani Reaches Swat was first posted on November 21, 2009 at 12:31 pm.
Gen Kayani Visits South Waziristan
WANA, Pakistan: Gen Kayani Visits South Waziristan, Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani visited Ladha and areas of Sararoga on Saturday. The Army Chief also visisted camps of IDPs in Dera Ismael Khan and met with displaced people.
According to ISPR, addressing soldiers in Ladha and Sararoga the Army Chief said that Pak forces are fighting bravely with militants in South Waziristan. He said that people’s support is vital to win the operation Rah-e-Nijaat. The Army Chief lauded the sacrifices of troops in the ongoing operation.
General Kayani met with Field Commanders, soldiers and IDPs in Dera Ismael Khan. The Army Chief said on the occasion that the armed forces would play their role for the rehabilitation of the displaced people and comprehensive steps would be taken for economic and social development of the war-hit areas.
Gen Kayani Visits South Waziristan was first posted on November 14, 2009 at 10:45 pm.
