Chief of Army Staff | General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

[fatman17]

Kayani and Mullen to meet in Spain

By Baqir Sajjad Syed

The two are expected to discuss a wide range of issues but according to one source, the highlight would be formalisation of an accord on return of US military trainers, who were expelled from Pakistan in an angry reaction to the Abbottabad raid.


ISLAMABAD: Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Chairman of US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen will meet in Spain later this week on the sidelines of a Nato conference to inject fresh momentum into efforts for normalising military ties between the two countries after months of friction.

The commanders will be in Seville (Spain) for Nato’s Chiefs of Defence annual conference on Sept 16-17.

Capt John Kirby, spokesman for the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, confirmed that the two “would be having a conversation in Spain”.

The meeting wouldn’t just be a farewell meeting between Gen Kayani and Admiral Mullen, who is retiring later this month, and as Capt Kirby said it would involve “substantial discussions”.

The two are expected to discuss a wide range of issues, particularly those that soured the ties in the aftermath of the May 2 raid on the Osama bin Laden compound but, according to one source, the highlight would be formalisation of an accord on return of US military trainers, who were expelled from Pakistan in an angry reaction to the raid.

“We would tell them how many trainers we require and in which areas,” a senior Pakistani official said in a clear indication that the military had reviewed its hard line position on trainers’ presence in the country.

Ties between Pakistan and US militaries worsened after the Abbottabad incident, but army’s decision to send back the American trainers sent the relationship into a free fall.

The number of trainers was initially cut from 130 to 39 and subsequently to four. At one stage the relationship became so toxic that even the strength of the media section of the US Office of Defence Representative in Pakistan was slashed. In retaliation the US partially suspended military aid for Pakistan.

But over the past few weeks the relationship has been on an upward trajectory as reflected by the statements issued by both sides after the arrest of senior Al Qaeda operative Sheikh Younis Al Mauritani, a close confidant of Osama bin Laden and the central character of the terror group’s ‘Europe plot’ last year, from Quetta in a joint ISI-CIA operation.

Gen Kayani’s meeting with Admiral Mullen, who skipped Pakistan during his farewell visit to the region, is in itself an indicator that things are improving.

A military officer, who is regularly briefed on developments in ties with the US military, concurred that “the relationship was in much better shape now” and said it was because of their communication.

Top US commander in Afghanistan Gen John Allen visited Rawalpindi last week.

Gen Kayani and Admiral Mullen are likely to have detailed discussions on Afghanistan in the context of reconciliation with Taliban insurgents and upcoming Istanbul and Bonn conferences.

Both Pakistan and the US agree on having a negotiated settlement in Afghanistan, but differ on the route to achieving it and the groups to be engaged in the political process.

Seville Conference: Nato Chiefs of Defence will confer on progress of transition in Afghanistan and Nato involvement in the country after the completion of coalition withdrawal in 2014.The commanders will also take stock of Nato cooperation with Pakistan.

General Kayani will brief his counterparts on Pakistan’s perspective of how the strategic partnership and cooperation between Nato-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, ANSF and Pakistani Army was progressing from a political and military strategic viewpoint.

 

[soul hacker]

MADRID: Spain conferred the country’s highest military honour upon General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani on Thursday.
The Grand Cross of Military Merit award is the highest military honour conferred by the King of Spain for distinguished service. The award was in recognition of Pakistan Army’s contribution in the fight against terrorism.
According to an ISPR press release, COAS, General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani visited the Spanish Joint Staff Headquarters in Madrid where he had meetings with Spanish Defence Minister Ms Carme Chacon and other defence and military officials including Secretary General for Defence Policy, Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff.
The focus of the meetings was bilateral defence and military relations and other matters of mutual interest.

 

[Abu Zolfiqar]

Kayani attends Nato Chiefs of Defence meeting in Spain | Pakistan | DAWN.COM

RAWALPINDI: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani attended a Nato Chiefs of Defence meeting in Seville, Spain. The COAS delivered a talk on Pakistan’s Role in the Global War on Terror.

He highlighted the sacrifices given by Pakistan to fight terrorism and also Pakistan’s expectations of support from the rest of the world.

He reiterated the resolve and commitment of Pakistan in the struggle, while underlining Pakistan’s sovereign right to formulate policy in accordance with its national interests and the wishes of the Pakistani people.

The COAS also met Admiral Michael Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, USA and Admiral Edourad Guillaud, Chief of Defence Staff, France on the sidelines of the Nato session.

 

[soul hacker]

SEVILLE: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani said on Friday that Pakistan had a sovereign right to formulate a policy in accordance with its own national interests and wishes of its people.
The COAS made these remarks at a meeting of the NATO Chiefs of Defence that was held in Seville city of Spain.
Reiterating Islamabad’s resolve to fight militancy and extremism, Kayani underlined that Pakistan has a sovereign right to formulate its policies in line with it own national interests and the wishes of its people.
He recalled Pakistan’s role in the war on terror, highlighting the sacrifices made to fight terrorism as well as reiterating Pakistan’s expectations, in terms of support, from the rest of the world.
Earlier, the COAS met US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen and French Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Edouard Guillaud on the sidelines of the NATO session.
Earlier on Thursday Spain had conferred the country’s highest military honour, The Grand Cross of Military Merit award, upon General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani.
The award was in recognition of Pakistan Army’s contribution in the fight against terrorism.
Kayani doubts Afghanistan ready for troops pullout
Pakistan’s army chief said he doubted neighbouring Afghanistan would be ready for international troops to leave by 2014 as planned.
“Frankly, I have my doubts,” General Ashfaq Kayani told Reuters on the sidelines of the NATO Military Committee conference, adding that he thought an alternative deadline might be possible.
“No date can be a final date,” he said.
The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force is training Afghan security forces and is due to fully withdraw from the war-torn central Asian country by 2014.
NATO considers Pakistan to be a key regional player and Afghanistan’s security situation was on the agenda at the US-led alliance’s two-day conference in Seville.
A NATO spokesman said the alliance thought the gradual withdrawal of international forces was moving ahead on time.
“There are encouraging signs of progress as far as transition at this stage is concerned,” Brigadier General Massimo Panizzi told journalists.
Taliban rebels have recently, however, managed to attack several well-guarded targets in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Kayani added that he thought relations between the US and Pakistan were satisfactory.
“Relations are good. They are improving,” he said.

Pakistan national interest, people’s wishes first Kayani tells NATO – The Express Tribune

 

[soul hacker]

SEVILLE: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani said on Friday that Pakistan had a sovereign right to formulate a policy in accordance with its own national interests and wishes of its people.
The COAS made these remarks at a meeting of the NATO Chiefs of Defence that was held in Seville city of Spain.
Reiterating Islamabad’s resolve to fight militancy and extremism, Kayani underlined that Pakistan has a sovereign right to formulate its policies in line with it own national interests and the wishes of its people.
He recalled Pakistan’s role in the war on terror, highlighting the sacrifices made to fight terrorism as well as reiterating Pakistan’s expectations, in terms of support, from the rest of the world.
Earlier, the COAS met US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen and French Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Edouard Guillaud on the sidelines of the NATO session.
Earlier on Thursday Spain had conferred the country’s highest military honour, The Grand Cross of Military Merit award, upon General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani.
The award was in recognition of Pakistan Army’s contribution in the fight against terrorism.
Kayani doubts Afghanistan ready for troops pullout
Pakistan’s army chief said he doubted neighbouring Afghanistan would be ready for international troops to leave by 2014 as planned.
“Frankly, I have my doubts,” General Ashfaq Kayani told Reuters on the sidelines of the NATO Military Committee conference, adding that he thought an alternative deadline might be possible.
“No date can be a final date,” he said.
The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force is training Afghan security forces and is due to fully withdraw from the war-torn central Asian country by 2014.
NATO considers Pakistan to be a key regional player and Afghanistan’s security situation was on the agenda at the US-led alliance’s two-day conference in Seville.
A NATO spokesman said the alliance thought the gradual withdrawal of international forces was moving ahead on time.
“There are encouraging signs of progress as far as transition at this stage is concerned,” Brigadier General Massimo Panizzi told journalists.
Taliban rebels have recently, however, managed to attack several well-guarded targets in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Kayani added that he thought relations between the US and Pakistan were satisfactory.
“Relations are good. They are improving,” he said.

Pakistan national interest, people’s wishes first Kayani tells NATO – The Express Tribune

 

[air marshal]

Was it really the floods, Mr PM?

ISLAMABAD - It was not the flood situation or the dengue scare in the country that led to the cancellation of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s visit to the US, rather it was the Foreign Ministry’s failure to schedule Gilani’s meeting with US President Barack Obama and a last minute caution from the General Headquarters that forced the PM to call off his visit, Pakistan Today learnt on Friday.

A well-placed source said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, after having failed to schedule a meeting of the prime minister with the US president, advised him not to undertake this visit, particularly after a warning-message by US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta which reflected that the US was in no mood to give an audience to Pakistan.

“After the diplomatic failure to schedule Gilani’s meeting with Obama and an outburst by US Defence Secretary Panetta, the GHQ advised the PM against his US visit, as it would not be worth it in case the US president did not meet him even on the sidelines of the UN session,” the source said. The source said the US officials might also use the interaction of the prime minister as an opportunity to pass on a tough message to Pakistan to push for a North Waziristan operation.

“Early on Friday morning, the PM chaired a high-level meeting after being advised by the Foreign Ministry against the visit. He also contacted the foreign secretary over the phone and consulted him on the prospects of the US visit,” the source said. The meeting members told the PM that Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan had also criticized his Iranian visit, saying the PM and the president were busy in foreign tours while the people in Pakistan were sinking in floodwater.

After consultations, Gilani called Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, who was in Dubai, and informed her about his decision. “The PM asked her to represent Pakistan on his behalf at the UN General Assembly session in New York,” the source said. Reportedly, the prime minister had decided to take along five members of his family, including his wife, two sons, a daughter and a grandson. Four cabinet ministers and 10 members of parliament, as well as four senior officials were to be part of the delegation accompanying Gilani to New York.

Gilani’s decision had swollen the size of the entourage to almost 80 people, including 13 members of the media who were to travel and stay at state expense.

Was it really the floods, Mr PM? | Pakistan Today | Latest news, Breaking news, Pakistan News, World news, business, sport and multimedia

 

[air marshal]

Action against Haqqanis, not yet

ISLAMABAD - Admiral Michael Mullen, the US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Friday demanded a full-fledged military operation in North Waziristan Agency against the Haqqani network, the most influential Taliban faction fighting the US-led foreign troops in Afghanistan.

Mullen’s reiterated demand for the military offensive came during his meeting with Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Kayani at the sidelines of NATO Chiefs of Defence meeting at Seville, Spain, according to an official who requested anonymity. General Kayani also met Admiral Edourad Guillaud, the French chief of defence staff, the ISPR said.


The ISPR touched upon General Kayani’s meeting with Admiral Mullen, but did not give details. However, the official said the top US military official spoke about the urgent need for a military action against the Haqqani network, saying the terrorist group couldn’t be brought to the table of negotiations which was proven from the recent deadly attack on the US embassy compound in Kabul. But Gen Kayani told Mullen that any operation in North Waziristan would be carried out by Pakistan per its own decision.

“The army chief said Pakistan had been engaged in military operations against terrorists in various tribal areas, as it considers the menace of terror a serious threat to its sovereignty,” the official said. Gen Kayani said it was Pakistan’s sovereign right to formulate policies keeping in view its national interests and the wishes of its people. After the terrorists’ assault in Kabul on Tuesday, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta warned Pakistan that his country would “do everything we can” to defend American forces from Pakistan-based militants staging attacks in Afghanistan.

US officials, including Panetta, suspect militants from the Haqqani network were behind Tuesday’s rocket attack on the US embassy in Kabul, as well as a truck bomb last Saturday that injured 77 American troops. The official said the US had once again started exerting immense pressure on Pakistan for a military operation against the Haqqanis and it had deeply impacted the ongoing efforts by Islamabad and Kabul for reconciliation between the two countries.

“The meeting between General Kayani and Admiral Mullen was supposed to give impetus to the reconciliation process between Islamabad and Washington, but the Kabul attack and Panetta’s statement changed the situation and the talks between the top military officials in Seville were rather focused on North Waziristan operation and the Haqqani network,” the official said. According to an ISPR statement, the army chief delivered a talk on ‘Pakistan’s Role in Global War on Terror’.

“He highlighted the sacrifices given by Pakistan to fight the menace of terrorism and also, Pakistan’s expectations of support from the rest of the world,” the statement said. It said that General Kayani reiterated the resolve and commitment of Pakistan in the struggle, while underlining Pakistan’s sovereign right to formulate policy in accordance with its national interests and the wishes of the Pakistani people.

Later, Gen Kayani told reporters that he doubted Afghanistan would be ready for international troops to leave by 2014 as planned. “Frankly, I have my doubts,” he said on the sidelines of the conference. Kayani said he thought an alternative deadline might be possible. “No date can be a final date.”

Action against Haqqanis, not yet | Pakistan Today | Latest news, Breaking news, Pakistan News, World news, business, sport and multimedia

 

[fatman17]

SEVILLE: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani said on Friday that Pakistan had a sovereign right to formulate a policy in accordance with its own national interests and wishes of its people.
The COAS made these remarks at a meeting of the NATO Chiefs of Defence that was held in Seville city of Spain.
Reiterating Islamabad’s resolve to fight militancy and extremism, Kayani underlined that Pakistan has a sovereign right to formulate its policies in line with it own national interests and the wishes of its people.
He recalled Pakistan’s role in the war on terror, highlighting the sacrifices made to fight terrorism as well as reiterating Pakistan’s expectations, in terms of support, from the rest of the world.
Earlier, the COAS met US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen and French Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Edouard Guillaud on the sidelines of the NATO session.
Earlier on Thursday Spain had conferred the country’s highest military honour, The Grand Cross of Military Merit award, upon General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani.
The award was in recognition of Pakistan Army’s contribution in the fight against terrorism.
Kayani doubts Afghanistan ready for troops pullout
Pakistan’s army chief said he doubted neighbouring Afghanistan would be ready for international troops to leave by 2014 as planned.
“Frankly, I have my doubts,” General Ashfaq Kayani told Reuters on the sidelines of the NATO Military Committee conference, adding that he thought an alternative deadline might be possible.
“No date can be a final date,” he said.
The NATO-led International Security Assistance Force is training Afghan security forces and is due to fully withdraw from the war-torn central Asian country by 2014.
NATO considers Pakistan to be a key regional player and Afghanistan’s security situation was on the agenda at the US-led alliance’s two-day conference in Seville.
A NATO spokesman said the alliance thought the gradual withdrawal of international forces was moving ahead on time.
“There are encouraging signs of progress as far as transition at this stage is concerned,” Brigadier General Massimo Panizzi told journalists.
Taliban rebels have recently, however, managed to attack several well-guarded targets in the Afghan capital, Kabul.
Kayani added that he thought relations between the US and Pakistan were satisfactory.
“Relations are good. They are improving,” he said.

Pakistan national interest, people’s wishes first Kayani tells NATO – The Express Tribune

picture speaks a thousand words!

 

[soul hacker]

picture speaks a thousand words!

sir would you explain

 

[Dhruv V Singh]

picture speaks a thousand words!

 

[Rafi]

picture speaks a thousand words!

He is a man - whats wrong with it?

 

[fatman17]

sir would you explain

i can bet bottom $ that they are discussing the haqqani network!!!

 

[Dil Pakistan]

picture speaks a thousand words!

What do you see wrong here ????

 

[air marshal]

Nothing wrong with him.... Its not his fault

 

[air marshal]

No PR212/2011-ISPR
Rawalpindi - September 21, 2011:

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Artillery Centre Attock today.

His visit was in the backdrop of Artillery Commanding Officers’ Conference. The conference is a formal event aimed at improving the regimental and professional aspects within artillery units.

COAS interacted with the commanding officers and advised them to inculcate pride and professionalism in soldiers. He also visited the training and administrative facilities for recruits. He expressed his satisfaction over the standards of training and administration.

Earlier on arrival at Attock COAS was received by Lieutenant General Salim Nawaz, Inspector General of Armaments and senior army officers.