Any one read the article by Qudsia Akhlaq? If not its great to have a look at it, and so good to know that the roadmap for briefing to Prime Minister at PM house by the mighty Army Chief originated from the office of Chief of Army Staff itself! as Qudsia writes. Shows good attempt to bring army to its constitutional role BRAVO! Any one interested can have a full read in daily 'The News' of 3rd April. Its not only pleasant but also heartening that the chief himself sets precedence of GHQ going to PM house and brief the decision makers chosen by people of Pakistan.
Govt briefing was Kayanis initiative
By Qudssia Akhlaque
The News, Islamabad
03-04-2008
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and Chief of my Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani kicked start with a three-hour meeting on Wednesday an unprecedented consultative process that is likely culminate in the formulation of comprehensive security policy fight terrorism in the country.
Well-placed defence sources d The News that the idea of the consultative process and its roadmap originated from the of-e of the Chief of Army Staff to request that the meeting should be held at the Prime Minister's House instead of GHQ. The COAS requested that the proposed '3-Step Policy Review' should be opened with a briefing on the security situation by the army as the first step, a meeting the political leadership to formulate the country's anti-terror policy as the second step and a meeting between the political leadership and army's top brass the final step where the COAS apprised of the policy to be pursued and is also asked to give his input before the new policy becomes operational, sources said.
The COAS requested for the meeting so as to be able to brief the cabinet and the political leadership on the ground situation in ' Swat and the Tribal Areas, sources said, adding that the GHQ requested that the entire political leadership, key cabinet members and the relevant governors should attend the meeting in order to be fully briefed on the actual security situation.
The meeting opened with an introduction by the COAS. It was followed by a detailed presentation by the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Major-General Pasha and the participants were briefed on the ground situation. Later, a detailed discussion took place in which the entire political leadership actively participated and shared their views. This was followed by a candid discussion among the participants, sources said.
The COAS opened the meeting underscoring the need to have convergence in policy objectives and strategy between the politicians and the army, it is learnt. According to sources privy to the meeting the COAS said the army would follow the policy guidelines set by the political leadership. He emphasized that the military was merely an implementing institution for the policies of the elected government and that only military action which, has the backing of the political leadership could succeed.
The COAS suggested that with relative peace in Swat, the ANP which has won 7 seats from there should take the lead role and take over the process of establishing security in the area, sources said. The political leadership was also requested to decide on how it would like to proceed in South Waziristan.
There was an agreement among the participants that no policy on fighting terrorism and improving the national security situation was possible without political ownership and people's support, sources told this correspondent.
Recognizing the urgency of the issue it is expected that the 3-step policy review will be completed within a week.
Govt briefing was Kayanis initiative
By Qudssia Akhlaque
The News, Islamabad
03-04-2008
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani and Chief of my Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani kicked start with a three-hour meeting on Wednesday an unprecedented consultative process that is likely culminate in the formulation of comprehensive security policy fight terrorism in the country.
Well-placed defence sources d The News that the idea of the consultative process and its roadmap originated from the of-e of the Chief of Army Staff to request that the meeting should be held at the Prime Minister's House instead of GHQ. The COAS requested that the proposed '3-Step Policy Review' should be opened with a briefing on the security situation by the army as the first step, a meeting the political leadership to formulate the country's anti-terror policy as the second step and a meeting between the political leadership and army's top brass the final step where the COAS apprised of the policy to be pursued and is also asked to give his input before the new policy becomes operational, sources said.
The COAS requested for the meeting so as to be able to brief the cabinet and the political leadership on the ground situation in ' Swat and the Tribal Areas, sources said, adding that the GHQ requested that the entire political leadership, key cabinet members and the relevant governors should attend the meeting in order to be fully briefed on the actual security situation.
The meeting opened with an introduction by the COAS. It was followed by a detailed presentation by the Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Major-General Pasha and the participants were briefed on the ground situation. Later, a detailed discussion took place in which the entire political leadership actively participated and shared their views. This was followed by a candid discussion among the participants, sources said.
The COAS opened the meeting underscoring the need to have convergence in policy objectives and strategy between the politicians and the army, it is learnt. According to sources privy to the meeting the COAS said the army would follow the policy guidelines set by the political leadership. He emphasized that the military was merely an implementing institution for the policies of the elected government and that only military action which, has the backing of the political leadership could succeed.
The COAS suggested that with relative peace in Swat, the ANP which has won 7 seats from there should take the lead role and take over the process of establishing security in the area, sources said. The political leadership was also requested to decide on how it would like to proceed in South Waziristan.
There was an agreement among the participants that no policy on fighting terrorism and improving the national security situation was possible without political ownership and people's support, sources told this correspondent.
Recognizing the urgency of the issue it is expected that the 3-step policy review will be completed within a week.
