Chief of Army Staff | General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

[air marshal]

Petraeus acknowledges Pakistan’s efforts

ISLAMABAD: US General David Petraeus on Monday praised Pakistan’s fight against Taliban militants during a key first round of talks since taking command of US-led Nato troops in Afghanistan.

General Petraeus met Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at General Headquarters. The officials talked about regional stability, the anti-terrorism campaign and the presence of militants in tribal areas, especially in North Waziristan, officials said.

US and Nato officials say Pakistan is vital to reversing Taliban momentum in Afghanistan. US officials have recently put pressure on Islamabad to crack down on groups who stage cross-border attacks against American troops.

“Recent events demonstrate both the common threat posed to Pakistan and Afghanistan by insurgents and the efforts that the Pakistan military are making to counter this threat,” Petraeus said on Monday.

“I look forward to continuing to work with General Kayani to identify areas of mutual interest and to cooperate in efforts that can help improve regional security,” he added.

It was Petraeus’ first visit to Pakistan as head of Nato’s International Security Assistance Force. Pakistani commanders have not ruled out an offensive in North Waziristan, but argue that gains in South Waziristan and the northwestern district of Swat need to be consolidated to prevent troops from being stretched too thinly. Meanwhile, US ambassador to Pakistan Anne W Patterson also called on General Kayani. - Express Tribune

 

[Patriot]

 

[air marshal]

German representative to Afghanistan calls on COAS

ISLAMABAD, Jul 13 (APP): Ambassador Michael Steiner, Special Representative of German Federal Government for Afghanistan and Pakistan called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at General Headquarters on Tuesday.It was stated in an ISPR news release.

 

[air marshal]

US Defence officials call on Gen. Kayani

ISLAMABAD, Jul 13 (APP): Michael Vickers, Assistant US Secretary of Defence for Special Operations, Low Intensity Conflict and Admiral Eric T. Olson, Commander, Special Operation Command, USA called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at General Headquarters on Tuesday.

The visiting dignitaries remained with COAS for some time and discussed the matters of professional interest

 

[fatman17]

this is a lot of one-way traffic coming in - something is amiss here!?

 

[Xeric]

this is a lot of one-way traffic coming in - something is amiss here!?

Probably they are sugar coating a push against N. Waziristan.

 

[sparklingway]

No PR269/2010-ISPR Dated: July 15, 2010
Rawalpindi - July 15, 2010:

General Sir Peter Wall, Commander-in-Chief, Land Forces UK called on Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at General Headquarters today.

The visiting dignitary remained with COAS for some time and discussed the matters of professional interest.

---------- Post added at 07:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:12 AM ----------

COAS calls on President
Thursday, July 15, 2010
APP

ISLAMABAD, Jul 15 (APP): Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani called on President Asif Ali Zardari at the Aiwan-e-Sadr here on Thursday. Matters related to operational preparedness of the Pakistan Army and security situation in the country was discussed during the meeting.

 

[sparklingway]

President agrees to two-year extension to COAS
Decision may be announced within 72 hours​

Friday, July 16, 2010
By Our Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: The president has reportedly given his concurrence to extend the tenure of incumbent COAS for a minimum two year period, which could even be extended to three years effectively turning into a full new term, a highly reliable source told The News.

According to the source, the announcement to this effect could be made as early as within the next 72 hours. Great significance is also being attached to the ‘unscheduled’ meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at the Presidency around 3pm Thursday afternoon. The army chief had also held a meeting earlier in the day with Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, who, according to an informed insider, has been a strong advocate for extending Gen Kayani’s term and may ultimately have succeeded in what was described as, “turning his boss slowly in the wind”.

Meanwhile, as expected, the official version is describing the army chief’s call-on on the president as being related to an exchange of views on national security matters in the backdrop of the ongoing visit of the Indian foreign minister but as another highly informed insider put it, “the army has already given its viewpoint exhaustively to the president, the prime minister, the foreign minister and all relevant stakeholders and the COAS does not have to dart to the president and the PM to brief them a little while before the Indian FM is scheduled to call on them”.

However, sources said the army chief was not keen vis-a-vis any extension in tenure. They said he would consider if he receives the offer.

Political pundits had been predicting, and apprehending, some unsavoury ‘power’ games in the event of the Presidency desiring a change in military leadership in the midst of the ongoing war on terror and particularly so with the all important American allies also placing their bets on the professional calibre of the current man in the khaki saddle.

According to sources, the announcement could be made right after the wrapping up of the India-Pakistan ministerial dialogue and if that happens then it would, according to a political analyst, not only give a favourable fillip to the otherwise flailing fortunes of the president but also harbour significant consequences both for the political and the judicial landscape of the country.

President agrees to two-year extension to COAS

 

[mughaljee]

The president has reportedly given his concurrence to extend the tenure of incumbent COAS for a minimum two year period, which could even be extended to three years effectively turning into a full new term, a highly reliable source told The News.

 

[fatman17]

President agrees to two-year extension to COAS
Decision may be announced within 72 hours​

Friday, July 16, 2010
By Our Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: The president has reportedly given his concurrence to extend the tenure of incumbent COAS for a minimum two year period, which could even be extended to three years effectively turning into a full new term, a highly reliable source told The News.

According to the source, the announcement to this effect could be made as early as within the next 72 hours. Great significance is also being attached to the ‘unscheduled’ meeting between President Asif Ali Zardari and Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani at the Presidency around 3pm Thursday afternoon. The army chief had also held a meeting earlier in the day with Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, who, according to an informed insider, has been a strong advocate for extending Gen Kayani’s term and may ultimately have succeeded in what was described as, “turning his boss slowly in the wind”.

Meanwhile, as expected, the official version is describing the army chief’s call-on on the president as being related to an exchange of views on national security matters in the backdrop of the ongoing visit of the Indian foreign minister but as another highly informed insider put it, “the army has already given its viewpoint exhaustively to the president, the prime minister, the foreign minister and all relevant stakeholders and the COAS does not have to dart to the president and the PM to brief them a little while before the Indian FM is scheduled to call on them”.

However, sources said the army chief was not keen vis-a-vis any extension in tenure. They said he would consider if he receives the offer.

Political pundits had been predicting, and apprehending, some unsavoury ‘power’ games in the event of the Presidency desiring a change in military leadership in the midst of the ongoing war on terror and particularly so with the all important American allies also placing their bets on the professional calibre of the current man in the khaki saddle.

According to sources, the announcement could be made right after the wrapping up of the India-Pakistan ministerial dialogue and if that happens then it would, according to a political analyst, not only give a favourable fillip to the otherwise flailing fortunes of the president but also harbour significant consequences both for the political and the judicial landscape of the country.

President agrees to two-year extension to COAS

i will wait for the official announcement and then comment!

 

[SQ8]

Even if it does happen Id be surprised if he commits, He is a very proper officer and is not hungry for power.
Normally though, who is next in line??.. or more properly.. who is least likely to question any moves made by the government?

 

[GUNNER]

However, sources said the army chief was not keen vis-a-vis any extension in tenure. They said he would consider if he receives the offer.

We cannot be sure till that happens. Anything goes for Zardari & co.
Kayani has proved to be a gentleman officer. No wonder he may turn down the offer, if given. But, personally i think he should stay for a year. It's imperative that he oversees the efforts for reconciliation in Afghanistan as the next one year is very critical.

 

[blain2]

I agree. An extension of a year would be good, otherwise others waiting in line would have certain resentment given that previous chief was also in the same slot for almost 9 years.

 

[Patriot]

Next in line should be Lt General Khalid Shameem Wynne unless Zardari decides to appoint his favorite person.Personally I hope the present chief rejects the extension and retires to set a precedent for future COAS.

 

[H2O3C4Nitrogen]