NYT devotes whole column to Gen Kayani
Sunday, 25 July 2010
From Fazle Rashid
NEW YORK, July 24: Change in the office of the army chief no where in the world makes headline in the international media. China perhaps is an exception. The media worldwide keep a vigilance on China's military set-up and its defence spending. Another country has been added to the list, the name of Pakistan.
New York Times for instance in its international section yesterday devoted one whole column to the news of Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani being given extension for three years. The United States has thrown its full weight behind the move as its seeks to encourage Pakistan as a more reliable ally against Taleban and al-Qaeda militants. Kayani has the blessings of the state department, pentagon and the White House.
Pakistan prime minister Yusuf Raza Gillani disclosed the news. He described Gen. Kayani as essential to the country's fight against militancy. Kayani was set to retire in November. Gen Kayani replaced Gen. Parvez Musharraf who combined in himself the offices of the President of Pakistan and its army chief as well. Parvez Musharraf also enjoyed the trust of Washington but was forced to quit under the pains of impeachment after opposition scored a convincing victory in the parliamentary for which of course the judiciary and the lawyers laid the ground.
The Supreme Court, and the lawyers backed by the media and civil rights activists helped to restore democracy in Pakistan.
Gen. Kayani has been a focal point for the Obama administration including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm Mike Mullen who has paid regular visit to Gen. Kayani to encourage him in fight against the Islamic Jihadists, the NYT said. The United States provides Pakistan with financial assistance to the tune $1billion a year to combat and contain the rising power of Islamic jihadists. Kayani has given his tacit approval to CIA's drone strikes against the militant's sanctuaries in which of course many civilians have also died Pakistan has also ensured transit of supply to the American and Nato bases in Afghanistan.
In Pakistan Gen. Kayani is regarded as nation's most powerful official, an unassuming, brainy general who is personally not corrupt but who heads an institution ( army ) known for its endemic corruption . As Army chief he is the custodian of country's nuclear arsenal, the NYT said. Although a civilian government is in office Gen. Kayani makes all the vital strategic decisions. Gen. Kayani did mince words in stating that India remains Pakistan's biggest enemy and he would not allow the efforts against the militants to distract Pakistan from its vigilance against India. Kayani before becoming the army chief was the chief of Inter Services Intelligence more widely known by its acronym ISI. The chief of ISI Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha has also been given an extension.
NEW YORK, July 24: Change in the office of the army chief no where in the world makes headline in the international media. China perhaps is an exception. The media worldwide keep a vigilance on China's military set-up and its defence spending. Another country has been added to the list, the name of Pakistan.
New York Times for instance in its international section yesterday devoted one whole column to the news of Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani being given extension for three years. The United States has thrown its full weight behind the move as its seeks to encourage Pakistan as a more reliable ally against Taleban and al-Qaeda militants. Kayani has the blessings of the state department, pentagon and the White House.
Pakistan prime minister Yusuf Raza Gillani disclosed the news. He described Gen. Kayani as essential to the country's fight against militancy. Kayani was set to retire in November. Gen Kayani replaced Gen. Parvez Musharraf who combined in himself the offices of the President of Pakistan and its army chief as well. Parvez Musharraf also enjoyed the trust of Washington but was forced to quit under the pains of impeachment after opposition scored a convincing victory in the parliamentary for which of course the judiciary and the lawyers laid the ground.
The Supreme Court, and the lawyers backed by the media and civil rights activists helped to restore democracy in Pakistan.
Gen. Kayani has been a focal point for the Obama administration including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm Mike Mullen who has paid regular visit to Gen. Kayani to encourage him in fight against the Islamic Jihadists, the NYT said. The United States provides Pakistan with financial assistance to the tune $1billion a year to combat and contain the rising power of Islamic jihadists. Kayani has given his tacit approval to CIA's drone strikes against the militant's sanctuaries in which of course many civilians have also died Pakistan has also ensured transit of supply to the American and Nato bases in Afghanistan.
In Pakistan Gen. Kayani is regarded as nation's most powerful official, an unassuming, brainy general who is personally not corrupt but who heads an institution ( army ) known for its endemic corruption . As Army chief he is the custodian of country's nuclear arsenal, the NYT said. Although a civilian government is in office Gen. Kayani makes all the vital strategic decisions. Gen. Kayani did mince words in stating that India remains Pakistan's biggest enemy and he would not allow the efforts against the militants to distract Pakistan from its vigilance against India. Kayani before becoming the army chief was the chief of Inter Services Intelligence more widely known by its acronym ISI. The chief of ISI Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha has also been given an extension.