Pakistan army believes in 'strong democratic system': Kayani

[RayKalm]

Pakistan army believes in 'strong democratic system': Kayani

Islamabad, May 1: Pakistan's powerful army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, on Monday, Apr 30, waded into a standoff between the government and judiciary, saying the country's development and welfare depend on state institutions functioning within their constitutional limits.

The country's Constitution has "clearly defined the responsibilities and functions of national institutions" and it is incumbent on them "to perform their duties within constitutional limits", Kayani said while delivering an address at an event marking the army's Youm-e-Shahada (Day of Martyrs).

In an apparent reference to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's conviction of contempt by the Supreme Court for refusing to act on orders to revive graft cases against President Asif Ali Zardari, the army chief said the prime objective of the democratic system is to "ensure the welfare, happiness and increased dignity of the people and the establishment of a balanced society where every person can get justice equally".

"This is the only way which can further strengthen Pakistan's national security," he said during the late night ceremony to honour soldiers killed in the line of duty and while fighting extremists.

The military, he said, believes in a "strong democratic system and its continuation". At the same time, Kayani touched on the national security situation and said Pakistan is "still in a state of war" despite unprecedented sacrifices made by the people and security forces in the campaign against terrorists and extremists.

The Pakistan Army, Frontier Corps, Pakistan Rangers and police had "achieved successes in many difficult areas while fighting against extremists and terrorists" while the people's sacrifices and steadfastness had boosted the morale of the armed forces.

"I am hopeful that we will emerge from this stage victorious with the help and prayers of the nation. We will be successful when we have a strong belief in the ideology of Pakistan. Any doubt about this ideology would weaken the country," Kayani told a gathering that included top Pakistani military officials and defence attaches from different countries.

The army chief also referred to the unilateral American raid in Abbottabad that killed Osama bin Laden and a cross- border Nato air strike that left 24 Pakistani soldiers dead in November last year and said: "some foreign elements had launched a campaign of mistrust" despite the sacrifices made by the Pakistani people and armed forces.

This campaign "pushed the entire nation into a psychological crisis and forced the nation to review relations with others", he said.

"We think that others will have to keep in mind our sovereignty, pride and honour," he added.

 

[VCheng]

The country's Constitution has "clearly defined the responsibilities and functions of national institutions" and it is incumbent on them "to perform their duties within constitutional limits".........................

"Nau sau chohay khaa ker billi haj ko chalee?"

Well, to be honest, better late than never to learn this important lesson.

 

[Respect4Respect01]

Sadly now we have democratic Army, and dictator civil government.

 

[Guvera]

For how long army will support democracy ? not for too long i beleive, thanks to ppp govt.

 

[somebozo]

Sadly now we have democratic Army, and dictator civil government.

And funny that it was army dictator who bought these corrupt elite in power by NRO

 

[truthseer]

I think Kayani knows that if the PPP government somehow wins the election and rules even 3 more years, people will demand martial law forever.

 

[somebozo]

It seems like the strings will now be pulled from the courts in a legal channel way..

Sindh Assembly: PPP ministers declare April 26 as
KARACHI: Pakistan Peoples Party ministers heaped scorn at a Supreme Court decision to convict Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani over his refusal to reopen a graft probe against the president. The court found the premier guilty of contempt, a decision the PPP ministers in the Sindh Assembly have termed a “blot” on the face of democracy. In their collective opinion, April 26 “was a day of infamy – a black day”. “Enough is enough. They (the judiciary and establishment) have always been hot-tempered and unkind. We (the PPP) are cool-tempered and follow the law. But we cannot tolerate this any longer and want to warn them that as you sow so shall you reap,” were the exact words of PPP leaders in their speeches during a Sindh Assembly session on Thursday. Sindh Information Minister Shazia Marri gave an emotional speech against the verdict and said that Prime Minister Gilani was convicted by the court for not violating any law. The court, in fact, she added, attempted to force him to violate the law by writing a letter to Swiss authorities against the president. “But I want to make it clear, that the black faces cannot be turned white,” Marri said, adding that the judiciary has always legitimised actions taken by dictators and has always victimised PPP leaders. She said that despite the fact that PPP has faced a tough time at the hands of the judiciary, the party will not be let down and will seek justice. “We will go forward because those who love the gallows for strengthening the democracy should not be afraid of this kind of discretion,” she said. Sindh Law Minister Ayaz Soomro said that while the prime minister respected the judiciary, it seems that these “salaried persons” (judges) did not reciprocate in giving the same honour to the elected prime minister.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 27th, 2012

 

[truthseer]

They (the judiciary and establishment) have always been hot-tempered and unkind. We (the PPP) are cool-tempered and follow the law.

Seriously? They're that brainwashed?

 

[ice_man]

For how long army will support democracy ? not for too long i beleive, thanks to ppp govt.

remember my words 10 years no coup! will happen Zardari will get his 5 years (maybe a couple of months less) and so will uncle Nawaz! and then when everyone has forgotten Musharraf Army will walk in with people being happy that army might be better than other corrupt rulers!

 

[Jango]

This was a strong message by the Army to the government, that get your act together.

The army is growing very impatient with this infighting, and as a result, the we are not able to give any concrete answer to the US.

The DCC meeting was witness to that.

 

[Guvera]

remember my words 10 years no coup! will happen Zardari will get his 5 years (maybe a couple of months less) and so will uncle Nawaz! and then when everyone has forgotten Musharraf Army will walk in with people being happy that army might be better than other corrupt rulers!

Army takeovers r never planned, i dont think i need to write more ?

 

[ice_man]

army lieks to walk in when they see the country is progressing and there is enough money to come and be corrupt. not when army is already being blamed for the drone strikes,the bomb blasts & abbotabad raid & everything else.

 

[Awesome]

Pakistan Armed has technically been legally compliant since 2002.

 

[truthseer]

army lieks to walk in when they see the country is progressing and there is enough money to come and be corrupt. not when army is already being blamed for the drone strikes,the bomb blasts & abbotabad raid & everything else.

That's a horrible view point. Our patriotic army is made up of Pakistani, people like you and me. They are not like this

 

[Leader]

remember my words 10 years no coup! will happen Zardari will get his 5 years (maybe a couple of months less) and so will uncle Nawaz! and then when everyone has forgotten Musharraf Army will walk in with people being happy that army might be better than other corrupt rulers!

you have made a point given the pattern in our short history, but lets see if it holds valid... I would not have mind if PPP or PMLN had delivered but alas they proved to be incompetent to the core.