Chief of Army Staff | General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

[fatman17]

look at the smiling faces of the 'jawans' - this shows the 'popularity' of the CoAS amongst all ranks.

 

[fatman17]

For real strategic depth

Saturday, February 20, 2010

This refers to "For real strategic depth" by Zafar Hilaly (February 18). From being a Foreign Office member to a man of leisure with profound interest in politics, Mr Hilaly's articles make a lot of sense. The article is both interesting and informative. His concluding paragraph, with very comforting observations that the army is in excellent hands and militarily the war is going well for Pakistan, reinforces one's confidence in the ability, determination and skills of our armed forces to rid the nation of the menace of terrorism.

But what really struck me as a citizen was the worthy writer's assessment and verdict on the incumbent chief of army staff, Gen Ashfaq Parvaiz Kayani, whom he describes as a man of impeccable qualities and goes on to comment that "because Gen Kayani is a man with oodles of common sense, common decency and common honesty, he has made himself forever ineligible for public office". On the contrary, for the very reasons of ineligibility, enunciated by Mr Hilaly, a retired Gen Kayani would be one of the most eligible persons to be elected to a future public office for the abundant personal attributes he possesses and is endowed with.

Who can deny the astute leadership qualities, decency, commitment to and sincerity of purpose of some of retired military men, such as Dwight Eisenhower and Charles De Gaul, who went on to become one of the most successful and popular presidents of their respective countries? Should a retired Gen Kayani decide to enter politics after two years, Pakistanis may well have their own Eisenhower to lead them to stability, good and transparent governance, effective non-partisan accountability, undiluted democracy, independent and strong institutions and a corruption-free, peaceful and prosperous Pakistan.

M S Hasan

Karachi

 

[fatman17]

Army being equipped to tackle threats: Kayani

Published: February 19, 2010

ISLAMABAD – Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said on Thursday that Pakistan Army was equipping itself with the best available weapons and all times high state of preparedness to tackle the multidimensional security threats faced by the country.

The Army Chief made these remarks while interacting with the troops during his visit to Sonmiani Ranges, Karachi, where he witnessed firing of surface to air missiles and anti-aircraft guns. He greatly appreciated the professionalism of the participating units and standards achieved in engaging aerial targets.
Emphasising the need for total focus on professional competence and operational preparedness, General Kayani said that the Army was making all-out efforts to equip itself with the best available weapons. He also reiterated that the multidimensional security threats faced by the country required a high state of preparedness at all times.

Earlier on arrival, the Commander Army Air Defence Command Lieutenant General Muhammad Ashraf Saleem received the Army Chief at the ranges.

 

[air marshal]

Gen. Petraeus calls on Gen. Kayani

ISLAMABAD, Feb 23 (APP): Commander USCENTCOM General David H.Petraeus on Tuesday called on Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, at General Headquarters, Rawalpindi.The visiting dignitary remained with the Chief of Army Staff for some time and discussed the matters of professional interest.

 

[air marshal]

 

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[air marshal]

General Kayani gives one more extension

Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, who previously extended the tenure of the corps commander, Peshawar, has now granted a one-year extension to another lieutenant general, as the DG ISI is the third in a row who is likely to be its recipient, all in a space of six months.

Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar confirmed to sources that he and Prime Minister Gilani had been intimated about the extension to the general serving with the UN. The minister was reluctant to discuss the nitty-gritty terming it a sensitive issue.

Lt-Gen Sikandar Afzal has received a one-year extension that will come into effect from March 1, the day he will retire from service. He is currently abroad serving on deputation with the United Nations Peace Mission. After commanding the peace troops in Liberia, he is now believed to be stationed in New York, United Nations’ headquarters. His official engagement abroad has been cited a reason for extension in service, a senior Army official privy to the development said.

The Army chief previously granted extension to the Corps Commander Peshawar, Lt-Gen Masood Alam, in November 2009. Sikandar is now second in the row and the DG ISI Ahmad Shuja Pasha retiring on March 18 is all set to receive one-year extension in no time.

The extension in lieutenant general’s service was made the prerogative of the Army chief during Gen Zia-ul-Haq’s time when he was COAS-president.

In Benazir Bhutto’s 2nd term in office, the issue again cropped up with the prime minister wanted to reclaim the lost authority of her office. But General Kakar had told Benazir Bhutto that the generals seeking extension would be running around the politicians in case the authority to do so was rested with the prime minister/president. Gen Kakar finally succeeded in retaining the authority of granting extension.

However, Lt-Gen (retd) Hamid Nawaz, former secretary defence, said that the extension requires approval from the federal government and cited the example of extension to Lt-Gen Kidwai. “Granting extension is considered the prerogative of the Army chief but he sends a summary to the federal government that is rarely objected to,” he said. Same kind of views was echoed by former ISI head, Lt-Gen (retd) Hamid Gul. Another former secretary defence, Kamran Rasool, who is the only civilian, headed this ministry, when contacted, said no extension was granted during his time hence he was not aware of the rules about it.

Meanwhile, as promotions of senior officials in the Army are becoming the centre of focus in the national politics, the Pakistan Army has officially clarified that extension in services of lieutenant generals is purely the prerogative of the Army chief and does not need the federal government’s approval.

Director-General Inter Services Public Relation (ISPR) Maj-Gen Athar Abbas told our sources that the COAS can extend the service of any serving lieutenant-general without any ratification from the federal government. “The cases of promotion are sent to the federal government for approval, but, according to rules, there is no need to get approval in case of extension in service of a lieutenant-general,” the Army spokesman said.

This issue is being considered very important because the extension in service of any of the lieutenant generals retiring this year would have significant impact on the present seniority list.

Lt-Gen Ahsan Azhar Hayat, Lt-Gen Tanvir Tahir, Lt-Gen Mohammad Ashraf Saleem and Lt-Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha are retiring in March this year; Lt-Gen Ijaz Ahmad Baksh and Lt-Gen Nadeem Ahmed in May; and Lt-Gen Masood Aslam, Lt-Gen Shahid Iqbal, Lt-Gen Zahid Hussain and Lt-Gen Mohammad Asghar are retiring in October this year.

The ISPR chief’s statement has also raised question marks on some news reports that a summary for the extension in services of some top Army generals is being or has been sent to the Prime Minister Secretariat through the Ministry of Defence.

It has also been reported that Lt-Gen Masood Aslam, Corps Commander Peshawar, was given extension last year by the COAS without any approval from the federal government.

The second most important issue is the appointment of CJCSC which would definitely have an impact on the appointment of COAS. This appointment will be made six weeks prior to the appointment of the Army chief (if the PPP government does not extend the service of General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani who is retiring on November 28, 2010).

The incumbent CJCSC General, Tariq Majeed, will retire on October 8, 2010. Lt-Gen (retd) Hamid Nawaz told our sources that after creation of this office some thirty years back, this position was given to the services chiefs in rotation. However, during the tenures of Gen Zia and Gen Musharraf this criteria was not followed and this office remained with the Pakistan Army.

Lt-General Hamid Nawaz was of the view that this time the position should be offered to some top official of the Pak Navy or the PAF keeping in view the tradition of democratic governments in the past.

This issue is being considered very important as this position could be used to manipulate the appointment of the COAS. If a junior officer is pushed up, others may be forced to retire, thus creating space for the desired officer, many analysts think.

According to Lt-Gen (retd) Hamid, a major-general is retired on reaching the age of 57 while a lieutenant general is retired either on reaching the age of 58 or completing the four-year tenure, whichever comes first. He explained that if a major-general is promoted as lieutenant general at the age of 56 he will be retired after two years on becoming 58 and if he was promoted as lieutenant general at the age 52 he will stand retired after four years at the age of 56.

Hamid said that the COAS is always made form the armoured, artillery or infantry corps of the Pakistan Army and lieutenant-generals from the engineering or services corps are not considered.

Following this principle and considering all lieutenant-generals who will retire this year, the seniority list will be as follows on November 28, 2010 (the date Gen Kayani will retire):

1- Lt-Gen Khalid Shameem Wynne (retiring on March 8, 2011)

2- Lt-Gen Muhammad Yousaf (retiring on March 8, 2011)

3- Lt-Gen Syed Absar Hussain (retiring on March 8, 2011—never commanded any core)

4- Lt-Gen Javed Zia (retiring on Sep 21, 2011—never commanded any core)

5- Lt-Gen Shujaat Zamir Dar (retiring on Sep 21, 2011—never commanded any core)

6- Lt-Gen Mohsin Kamal (retiring on Sep 21, 2011óhe has opted for a office job because of health issues)

7- Lt-Gen Jamil Haider (retiring on Sep 21, 2011 ñnever commanded any core)

8- Lt-Gen Nadeem Taj (retiring on Sep 21, 2011)

In case ISI chief General Pasha is given extension by the COAS, he will be on the 12th position and Chief of General Staff Lt-Gen Mustafa Khan will be on number 13 on the seniority list.

According to Gen Hamid, for being a suitable candidate to become COAS, command of a corps is almost a mandatory condition. Some experts say that the present seniority list is also the result of tactical and strategically planned promotions and appointments by ex-Army chief and military dictator General Pervez Musharraf.

These experts said that during Kayani’s tenure as COAS, appointments and promotions were made on merit. At the same time, they fear that any mistake by the political rulers of the country may lead to handing over the command of the Pakistan Army to someone very close to Musharraf.

These experts also say that while making recommendations for the next COAS, the issue of illegal allotment of agricultural farmhouse adjacent to that of former prime minister Shaukat Aziz at Chak Shahzad, could also be considered by the relevant influential circles.

These experts say that in fact the equally important appointment will be that of CJCSC. If he is taken from the Pakistan Air Force or the Pakistan Navy as per the democratic tradition, issues could be resolved amicably. Otherwise, if some junior-lieutenant general is promoted as general to make him the CJCSC, those senior to him will have to resign keeping in view the Army norms and that could possibly open a Pandora’s box which will pave the way for political appointments.

General Aslam Baig was of the view that the outgoing COAS sends a list of five senior lieutenant-generals to the federal government four months prior to his retirement, and the government can appoint anyone from this list keeping in view the criteria and cannot go beyond this list.

However, Lt Gen (retd) Hamid Nawaz was of the view that the federal government had full powers only in case of appointment of the COAS, and it could appoint any of the senior lieutenant generals for the position.

General Kayani gives one more extension | Pakistan Daily

 

[fatman17]

so on seniority its between no's 1,2 and 8. as those generals who have not commanded a Corps are traditionally not considered for the post of CoAS but then we dont know abt this govt.

 

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[fatman17]

Armed forces fully prepared for defence: COAS

LAHORE: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Wednesday said the armed forces of Pakistan are fully prepared to defend the country against any threats posed by India, a private TV channel reported. Addressing the Senate’s Standing Committee on Defence, Kayani said the armed forces are fully capable to defend the geographical territory of the country and the national interest would not be sacrificed. daily times monitor

 

[owais.usmani]

 

[air marshal]

 

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COAS visits Bahawalpur

RAWALPINDI, Feb 25 (APP): Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Army Formations conducting collective training and Field Firing / Battle Inoculation exercises near Bahawalpur. These exercises are being held as part of Army’s ‘Year of Training’ programme.

The COAS appreciated the professionalism and high morale of the units involved in the exercises and lauded the standards achieved. While interacting with the troops, he emphasized the need for enhancing professional competence through relentless training and for maintaining high state of operational readiness at all times.

Earlier, on arrival in the area, the COAS was received by Corps Commander Bahawalpur, Lieutenant General Naeem Khalid Lodhi.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

Best thing about army is
Everybody is given a chance
no poor no rich all equal
Look at out COAS his father was a junior officer(non commisioned officier)
And today hes commanding generals.

 

[air marshal]