Gen Kayani said to be systematically reversing earlier policies

[mujahideen]

Army chief urges harmony among Pakistan's leaders

By Zeeshan Haider

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Pakistan's army chief called for harmony on Thursday as a coalition opposed to President Pervez Musharraf prepared to form a government that could force him from power.

Recent opinion polls showed the vast majority of people would like U.S. ally Musharraf, who came to power as a general in a coup in 1999, to step down.

A crushing defeat suffered by his allies in a parliamentary election last month has raised the prospect that he could be forced out by a hostile National Assembly.

General Ashfaq Kayani, who became army chief after Musharraf quit the army to become a civilian leader in November, expressed optimism that there will be a "harmonized relationship between various pillars of the state, as provided in the constitution".

A military statement quoted Kayani as telling army commanders in the garrison town of Rawalpindi, that "any kind of schism, at any level, under the circumstances would not be in the larger interest of the nation."

Pakistan has been reeling since mid-2007 from a suicide bomb campaign mounted by al Qaeda inspired Islamist militants.

There have been four suicide attacks in the past week, and the country's state of political flux has raised international concern about the risks of instability in the nuclear-armed Muslim nation of 160 million people.

The party of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto won the most seats in the election while the party of Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister Musharraf deposed, finished second.

Both parties are set to join hands with another opposition party to form a coalition that could threaten Musharraf's rule.

Musharraf has rejected calls for his resignation and has said he was ready to work with whoever forms the government.

He is expected to convene the National Assembly in the coming days and invite Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party (PPP) to nominate a prime ministerial candidate to form a government.

Generals have led Pakistan for more than half the 60 years since the country was carved out of the partition of India following independence from Britain in 1947.

Kayani reaffirmed that the army fully stood behind the democratic process and was committed to play its constitutional role in support of the elected government.

He said army would stay out of the political process and expressed his hope it would not be dragged into any unnecessary controversy.

Kayani, who met with Musharraf this week, said an impression was being created that the army was distancing itself from the president and he emphasized the importance of "the constitutional relationship between army and the National Command Structure".

While Sharif has been outspoken in his calls for Musharraf to go, Bhutto's widower and her political successor, Asif Ali Zardari, has avoided taking such a hard line, though both have vowed to banish the military from politics.

(Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)

 

[mujahideen]

General Ashfaq Kayani dipells impression about distancing the Army from President

RWAWLPINDI, March 6 (APP): Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Thursday dispelled the impression, being created about ‘distancing of the Army from the President’.In his opening remarks at the 107th Corps Commanders’ Conference held at General Headquarters, he observed that an impression is being created about ‘distancing of the Army from the President’and emphasized on the importance of the constitutional relationship between Army and the National Command Structure.

Highlighting the need for understanding, he pointed out that any kind of schism, at any level, under the circumstances would not be in the larger interest of the nation.

He reiterated that Army will stay out of the political process

and expressed his hope that Army is not dragged into any unnecessary controversy.

The Chief of Army Staf reaffirmed that Army fully stands behind the democratic process and is committed to play its constitutional role in support of the elected government.

He was optimistic that there would be a harmonized relationship between various pillars of the State, as provided in the Constitution, in order to maximize national effort.

He expressed his satisfaction on the conduct of peaceful elections. He thanked all segments of the society in extending their full help to Pakistan Army.

Chief of Army Staff, once again reaffirmed Army’s commitment to solidarity and integrity of Pakistan which is possible only with full support of the people of Pakistan. He appreciated the wholehearted effort of officers and men alike to defeat the threat posed to the security of Pakistan.

He apprised the participants regarding the tangible progress made on various issues relating to “Year of the Soldier” with respect to accommodation, education, rations and uniform.

The participants also dwelt at length on various issues relating to operational preparedness, training and administration matters related to the Army.

The conference, chaired by Chief of Army Staff, commenced with ‘Fateha’ for Lieutenant General Mushtaq Ahmed Baig Shaheed and other officers and men who have fallen victim to the recent spate of terrorists activities.

app - General Ashfaq Kayani dipells impression about distancing the Army from President

 

[mujahideen]

Kayani can restore sacked judges: Justice Tariq Pervez

By Iqbal Khattak

PESHAWAR: Sacked Peshawar High Court top judge Justice Tariq Pervez said on Wednesday that Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani could “recall the November 3 order” by his predecessor, President Pervez Musharraf, to restore the sacked judges.

“If the present chief of army staff (Gen Kayani) deems that the order or steps or the notification passed on November 3 from his office under his signature – I mean his designation – should not have been issued, he can say I hereby recall the order of my predecessor,” Justice Tariq Pervez told Daily Times at his residence on Wednesday. Justice Tariq had declined to take oath under the Provisional Constitution Order after President Musharraf imposed a state of emergency on November 3 last year as the army chief.

“If a deputy commissioner detains someone under a law for a month and he is transferred 10 days after his order and a new DC takes over. If the new incumbent deems the order is not further required he could withdraw it.”

“Any amendment to the Constitution has to be validated by two-thirds majority vote in parliament. If someone wants to get his acts validated and make them part of the Constitution, he shall take them to parliament and ask for a vote,” he said.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[mujahideen]

Army supports democratic process: Schisms not in national interest, says Kayani

* COAS hopes army will not be dragged into any controversy
* Emphasises importance of army-NCS relationship

Staff Report

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani said on Thursday that “any kind of schism, at any level, under the circumstances would not be in the larger interest of the nation” and expressed hope that a harmonious relationship would be established between the pillars of state, as enshrined in the Constitution. Addressing a meeting of corps commanders, he reaffirmed that the army would fully support the democratic process in the country by playing its constitutional role, and expressed hope the army would not be dragged into controversies. “[The] army fully stands behind the democratic process and is committed to play its constitutional role in support of the elected government,” the Inter-Services Public Relations quoted Kayani as saying. The COAS observed that an impression was being created about the “distancing of the army from the president,” but emphasised the importance of the constitutional relationship between the army and the National Command Structure (NCS). Kayani said the army would stay out of the political process and reaffirmed the army’s commitment to the solidarity and integrity of Pakistan. This could only be achieved with the full support of the people of Pakistan, he added. Kayani expressed satisfaction over the elections being conducted peacefully and thanked all segments of society for extending their full support to the army. He also appreciated the whole-hearted effort of officers and civilians alike towards defeating the threat posed to Pakistan’s security. The meeting participants offered fateha for the late Lt Gen Mushtaq Baig, other officers and civilians who had fallen victim to the recent spate of terrorist activities. Kayani apprised the corps commanders on tangible progress made on various issues related to the “Year of the Soldier,” particularly on accommodation, education, rations and uniform. The meeting participants also deliberated at length on various issues relating to operational preparedness, training and administration matters related to the army.

Courtesy Daily Times

 

[mujahideen]

‘Kayani working to rebuild army’s professionalism’

WASHINGTON: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani is working to rebuild the army’s professionalism and stop Al Qaeda in the Tribal Areas, and thus remains a “crucial personality in maintaining stability” in the country “after the political demise” of President Pervez Musharraf, according to an opinion piece published in the Washington Post on Thursday.

David Ignatius, the Post columnist, who travelled to Pakistan in January with Admiral William Fallon, chief of the Central Command- who resigned this week because of differences with the Bush administration - writes that Fallon wanted the American public to know the outcome of his meeting with Kayani in Rawalpindi on January 22. When Ignatius wrote about the meeting, “the Pentagon brass and the White House were in a dither about the Kayani comments.” Ignatius records that what he wrote was based on Fallon’s briefing to him. The Centcom chief even wanted the journalist to accompany him to the meeting with Kayani but that proved “impossible”.

Fallon told Ignatius that Kayani is a professional soldier who wants to rebuild an army whose reputation and morale were tarnished during the Musharraf years. Fallon said that the new chief of staff “sees the army as a political force” and that Kayani pledged “he wants free and open elections”. In contrast with the Musharraf years, Fallon said, “I would expect the army gets a lot more attention now because the guy who’s in charge only has one job. I’m encouraged that he seems to understand the necessity of doing counterinsurgency.” Noting that Musharraf tried to subdue Tribal Areas by marching troops in and ultimately was forced to accept a “humiliating truce” with the rebels, Fallon said Kayani plans a different approach, more in keeping with America’s new ideas about counterinsurgency. “He knows that you can only do so much with military force,” Fallon said. To contain an insurgency, “you need to take care of the population” through economic and social development. The Centcom chief also stressed that “there’s a fair amount of sensitivity to a very visible US footprint inside the country”.

khalid hasan
Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan

 

[mujahideen]

A new crisis brewing for General Kayani

By Ansar Abbasi

ISLAMABAD: Despite the legal wrangling on the highly controversial action, the ball will be thrown into the court of Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Kayani if the Supreme Court calls the Army to its aid, apparently to subvert the restoration of the deposed judges by parliament.

The Supreme Court action, some legal minds say, may spell disaster and chaos given the prevailing charged environment in favour of reinstatement of the sacked judges with two main winning parties having vowed to restore them.

Even on the very first meeting of the National Assembly that was meant just for its swearing in, the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) made it quite evident that they do not accept the Nov 3 constitutional amendments, which paved the way for sacking of the superior courts’ judges. The two leading partners of the future coalition government — the PPP and the PML-N, which together have 212 members in the National Assembly — have already committed on March 9, 2008 in the Bhurban Accord that they would restore the pre-Nov 3 judiciary through a parliamentary resolution.

If the chief judge decides to invoke Article 190 of the Constitution, which says, “All executive and judicial authorities throughout Pakistan shall act in aid of the Supreme Court”, and calls the Army in aid of the apex court than such a thing would happen for the second time in the history of Pakistan.

During the second term of Nawaz Sharif, the then chief justice Sajjad Ali Shah had also written to the then Army Chief Jahangir Karamat and sought the military help but he and the GHQ he was heading did not find the chief justice’s request valid for consideration and referred the same to the defence ministry, which is part of the executive.

A simple understanding of Article 190 lays bare the fact that the request to call the Army can’t be made directly to the military and it has to be routed through the executive. But at the same time, there are some constitutional experts, who argue the Supreme Court could directly call the Army.

One of the top legal aides of the government, on condition of anonymity, also argued that the Army could not only be called “to act in aid of the Supreme Court” but also be ordered by the Supreme Court to do the same.

The same legal aide claimed that the purpose of the Full Court meeting is firstly to show solidarity and give clear signal to all and sundry that the post-Nov 3 judiciary is united, and secondly, possibly to consider the option of writing to the Army Chief “to act in aid of the Supreme Court”.

He said if the next government restores deposed judges through a parliamentary resolution and revert the Supreme Court to the pre-Nov 3 situation then who would be there to protect the post-Nov 3 judiciary. The legal aide denied that he was part of a recent presidency meeting, which continued till 4:30 in the morning.

Gen Kayani has already put in a lot of effort ever since becoming the Chief of Army Staff to redeem the respect of the Army. He has not only directed the men in uniform to keep themselves away from politics and political leaders but also issued orders for the return of Army officers from civil institutions back to the GHQ.

The Kayani-led Army also received kudos for its impartial role during general elections. Although the Supreme Court’s order is generally binding on every institution, the present situation is a complex one.

The standing of the present Supreme Court is being questioned by the vast majority of parliamentarians, the legal fraternity, the civil society and others who do not accept actions of Nov 3 emergency-cum-martial law, including sacking of almost 60 judges of the superior judiciary.

In a situation where the people has given their mandate to the anti-Musharraf political forces and in favour of the general demand for restoration of deposed judges, dragging the Army into this matter would be highly controversial. It would be considered as taking side with the dictator and against the interests of the people. Such a situation would be chaotic.

Meanwhile, in the official circles there are fears being raised that the stage is being set by the presidency for imposition of emergency to regain its firm control over the state of affairs. It is apprehended that a situation is being deliberately created where constitutional institutions look like proceeding for a head-on collusion, which would make a perfect case for the caretaker prime minister to advise the president to promulgate emergency in the country.

But in such a scenario, yet again, the result would be complete chaos, anarchy and possibly bloodshed. It is relevant to mention here that 22 retired judges of the Supreme Court, including six former chief justices of Pakistan, have recently supported the idea of deposed judges’ restoration through an executive order or a parliamentary resolution.

They categorically said that this reinstatement does not require any constitutional amendment. All these respected former judges have found the Nov 3 action unconstitutional, including the oath of judges under the PCO.

Despite all this both mainstream parities, the PPP and the PML-N, and the lawyers’ community in order to avoid a possible confrontation, do not seek removal of the PCO judges or those who took oath under the Constitution after Nov 3. Contrary to this accommodation by those who enjoy the will of the people, any move to block reinstatement of deposed judges would be like inviting crisis.

A new crisis brewing for General Kayani

 

[Interceptor]

General Kayani is a very wise man. Right now in my opinion the Army does need to pull back, but it should be on stond by just incase the political situation gets out of control. If this happens the Army must intervine.

Saying it is called treason, the army has done enough damege it is high time that they keep away from politics and obey the Army Act, which states that the army takes oath to obey its civilian masters and must not any case have any political influence on any civilian or civilian master.

 

[mujahideen]

Saying it is called treason, the army has done enough damege it is high time that they keep away from politics and obey the Army Act, which states that the army takes oath to obey its civilian masters and must not any case have any political influence on any civilian or civilian master.

But if those civilian masters destroy the country the Army has the right to take over. Even the Supreme Court supported this move, including the former Chief Justice Iftikar Chaudry.

 

[Interceptor]

But if those civilian masters destroy the country the Army has the right to take over. Even the Supreme Court supported this move, including the former Chief Justice Iftikar Chaudry.

The only people who destroyed the country are dictators Pakistan lost its east wing because of that now grow up. The constitution does not support a dictator that why there wasn't constitution made for Pakistan for 30 od years until Bhutto came, the constitution gives u basic rights which the dictators usually suspend.

 

[EagleEyes]

The only people who destroyed the country are dictators Pakistan lost its east wing because of that now grow up. The constitution does not support a dictator that why there wasn't constitution made for Pakistan for 30 od years until Bhutto came, the constitution gives u basic rights which the dictators usually suspend.

Musharraf is not a dictator if something that is your referring to.

I do agree with you that military should be out of politics, but what happens when judiciary and government both are corrupt?

That is something interesting, and needs to be thought of carefully!

East Pakistan was broke due to the constitution and the enemy number one, India.

I believe there is still a lot left that needs to be written in the constitution, and judiciary should be indeed independent.

 

[mujahideen]

The only people who destroyed the country are dictators Pakistan lost its east wing because of that now grow up. The constitution does not support a dictator that why there wasn't constitution made for Pakistan for 30 od years until Bhutto came, the constitution gives u basic rights which the dictators usually suspend.

If the military dictators are so bad then how come every single politician has at one time supported the military. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was President Field Marshall Ayub Khan's biggest supporter. He use to call him "baba." But when President Ayub Khan threw him out for corruption he started a campaign against him. Civilians are only loyal when their cause is being supported. And as far as breaking up the country is concerned if Bhutto accepted the results of the 1971 elections we wouldn't have been cut in half. But no he threatened Mujib that if his men went to Parliament house he will cut off thier legs.

 

[blain2]

Saying it is called treason, the army has done enough damege it is high time that they keep away from politics and obey the Army Act, which states that the army takes oath to obey its civilian masters and must not any case have any political influence on any civilian or civilian master.

Yes the oath says that but it also says that you would defend the country from internal and external threats which is very often forgotten by politicians. When Pakistan is weakened internally by mis management of the country, then some intervention is bound to happen by the Army.

If the democratically elected governments behave in a conducive manner, focusing on national reconciliation, political stability and economic development then the Army does not need to step in. Keep the house in order for the Army to stay out and mind its own business. This for some reason is not a possibility for the Pakistani politician because they are just as much of dictators as they claim the Army Generals to be.

 

[blain2]

The only people who destroyed the country are dictators Pakistan lost its east wing because of that now grow up. The constitution does not support a dictator that why there wasn't constitution made for Pakistan for 30 od years until Bhutto came, the constitution gives u basic rights which the dictators usually suspend.

Who says that democratically elected people did not cause bigger problems? Who is responsible for the dismemberment of Pakistan in 1971? If anyone it was the military dictator of Pakistan, Gen Yahya Khan who was trying to keep the country together, but no, Bhutto wanted to be the PM of the whole of Pakistan when Mujeeb had beaten his *** into submission by overwhelmingly winning the popular vote. Don't blame the military for all the ills in the Pakistani politics.

Under this recent dictator, Pakistanis have had more rights than at any other time. Its fine by me if people don't want Musharraf. Let them suffer the ignominy of selecting the likes of Zardari and Nawaz Sharif's trash. I am sure suddenly and overnight Pakistanis have become so much smarter that they cannot be taken on a ride again..

The only silver lining is that maybe there can be some push back on US demands by stating that the elected government does not have the popular support. Musharraf was unable to do so..aside from that, I see nothing on the horizon that gives me much confidence.

 

[fatman17]

a recent survey by a behaviour sciences organisation has concluded that in general pakistanis base their decisions on emotions rather than common sense and logic. no wonder we as a nation are in the predicament we find ourselves in!

 

[moha199]

Let me tell you guys i challenge open all open to this mister Sir Interceptor bro you hear me i would like to ingage you into a debate over democracy meaning nawaz BB zardari 19years old kido Bilawal Zardari. I would love to talk you out on ever single issues you have over dictators of Pakistan you call Zia dictator fine with me you call Mush dictator fine with me but i want to talk to you about PAKISTAN. Who is better for Pakistan who cared and who harmed this nation of 164 millions? Brother INTERCEPTOR you know that i have been trying to talk to you over this issue and you are just running away lol its not personal but since i nick name you MISTER ARTICAL 6. So let do it open a new thread you and me how about this because one think here that you just come to this forum to put fire over topics and laugh and go !!!! I CHALLENGE YOU ARTICAL 6 I mean INTERCEPTOR lol lets do it one to one it will be very nice and i hope you take this challenge Amin