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Chief of Army Staff | General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

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US should focus on Afghanistan, not Pakistan: Kayani
October 19, 2011

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's army chief told parliament's defence committee the United States should focus on stabilizing Afghanistan instead of pushing Pakistan to attack militant groups in a crucial border region.

According to media reports, Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani also said Pakistan alone will decide if and when to launch a full-scale offensive in the North Waziristan region to attack militants.

He said the United States would have to think "10 times" before taking any unilateral action there. Pakistan is not like Iraq or Afghanistan, the parliamentarian quoted Kayani as saying. The MP spoke on condition of anonymity.

"The problem lies in Afghanistan, not Pakistan," the parliamentarian quoted Kayani as telling the committee in a briefing on national security matters held at army headquarters.

Such views could deepen tension between the United States and its uneasy but important ally Pakistan.

"All intelligence agencies have contacts. Don't the CIA and (the British spy agency) MI6 have such contacts? It is through these contacts that we get information," Kayani said.

"The nice guys don't give you information. It is contacts like this that yield intelligence. It is about whether you use this information positively or negatively." (Reuters)

US should focus on Afghanistan, not Pakistan: Kayani - GEO.tv
 
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“(Mike) Mullen did what he thought was in the interest of the United States and I will do what I think is in Pakistan’s interest.”
BY ASHFAQ PARVEZ KYANI
 
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Opinion
The new brass on the block

Wajahat S Khan
Thursday, October 13, 2011




The game is on. Not the brash politicking from Raiwind that promises to dismantle the Presidency. Not the unscrupulous ingenuity from the Presidency that has muzzled the MQM back into the fold. Not from the Supreme Court as it tries to throw its weight around in Karachi. And not from Kabul, or New Delhi either, where Hamid Karzai and Manmohan Singh have matured a strategic pact in half the time of a human pregnancy. No, those are all little games.

In Islamabad – correction, Rawalpindi – there is only one game in town. And it’s called the Promotion Game. Up for grabs are stars...preferably four, but three will work too. And if they’re made of brass, then the political alchemy for converting khaki cotton into the armour-plating of power becomes so much more easier.

Here’s the backgrounder: General Ashfaq Kayani is set to retire (for a second time) in November 2013. That’s when his office will be available for occupancy. But till that moment arrives, like any bureaucracy – and the army is Pakistan’s biggest, even most politicised one – the ‘grooming’ and placement of his subordinates is key for the operational efficacy as well as internal dynamism of the institution he commands.

Kayani’s latest move – the promotion of four major generals to the rank of lieutenant general – is a critical indicator of what lies next for Pakistan’s most powerful institution. Who’s going to be Spook-in-Chief (DG-ISI)? Or the guy who keeps all the brass connected (chief of General Staff)? Who’s going to be GHQ’s record-keeper (military secretary)? Or the man who will fight with (or talk to) the Taliban (commander XI Corps)? Which general shall keep the Americans out of Quetta while ensuring Baloch separatists are suppressed (commander XII Corps)? What about the chap who watches the nukes (commander Strategic Forces), or the one who keeps India busy across the LoC (commander X Corps) while keeping his ‘Coup Brigade’ (the ‘111’) oiled and ready? And let’s never, ever forget the next probable for the COAS title.

So let’s war-game what Kayani is thinking. He’s got several immediate (operational/tactical) and a larger (strategic) responsibility pending for keeping his institution loyal and intact; keep fighting Pakistan’s multiple conflicts (which alphabetically and incompletely are: Afghanistan, Balochistan, CIA, drones, economy, Fata, floods, IAEA, India, Kashmir, Karachi) but keep the army reigning supreme. Ambitious as that goal may be, Kayani will need his house to be in order.

Thus, with the latest batch of promotions, the COAS has been conservative and not broken precedent. He has overlooked all the 2-stars from the Corps of Engineers who were due for promotion, preferring to supersede them instead. This decision has worked out politically too, as the leader of the seniority list, Maj-Gen Junaid Rehmat, the DG-NLC, has been the subject of the recent flak attack by Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s Public Accounts Committee. Thus, Kayani has preferred to play it safe: Supporting Arms (like the Engineers, to which Rehmat belongs), are usually given less love at the highest levels, primarily to ensure the elitism of the Fighting Arms. It’s the way the Pak Army has always worked. So, Kayani has played by the rules.

But the resumes of his choice all reflect the political complications of the intra-GHQ chess-match. Vice Chief of General Staff, Maj-Gen (now Lt-Gen.) Nasser Janjua, a former director military operations, was a wise choice. As the most senior fighting-arm representative (from the Punjab Regiment), he was hailed a tactical genius as GOC of the 17th Infantry Division, Kharian (the formation operated in Swat District from the crucial phase of November 2007 to December 2008). Janjua is a thinking soldier, and earned his spurs long before the success of his well-crafted Operation Rah-e-Haq. He’s got the seniority along with all the right postings and battle honours. Kayani promoting him was simply the ‘right thing’ to do, as it covers the meritocratic angle.

However, Janjua has not been dispatched to a new posting yet. That means a coveted office will have to be emptied to accommodate him. Lt-Gen Asif Yasin Malik, who has been leading Peshawar’s XI Corps, might be shifted to GHQ as CGS, a position that incumbent Lt-Gen Waheed Arshad is expected to rotate out of soon, probably for a Corps posting that suits his Armour background. Janjua would be natural fit in Peshawar, and him getting Malik’s office will keep the Pentagon at bay as well, for he has been documented in Washington as a trailblazer in counterinsurgency operations.

Alternatively, Janjua could get ‘groomed’ for a possible 4-star role, which would require him to be operationally familiar with both sides of the border. Thus, his trajectory could replicate that of Lt-Gen Tariq Khan, who’s been appreciated internationally as a war-hero for his work with the Frontier Corps and the 14th Infantry Division. Since his performance in Fata, Khan has been moved east and awarded the India-centric I Corps in Mangla, one of Pakistan’s two “strike” formations. Expect him to be rotated back into GHQ as a Principal Staff Officer for his own run for COAS, as him getting two Corps commands would be rare, even unprecedented. But regardless of the job-matrix, keep your radar on for Malik, Arshad, Khan and Janjua. They’re all among the finalists who could get 4-stars stitched to their shoulders.

Gallantry, however, is not the only qualifier in this game.

Barring those superseded, the newly promoted Lt-Gen Tariq Gilani has been quickly accommodated. Unlike the pending office for Janjua, Gilani’s immediate appointment is an example of Kayani’s ‘continuity’ doctrine. Also at display is the COAS’s ‘safe hands’ approach, for Gilani was stationed as the GOC of the 22nd Division in Sargodha, where he was also responsible for the 47th Artillery Brigade (an original among the few reputedly nuclear-capable formations). Thus, Gilani has been kept ‘within the system’ and placed in charge of the Army Strategic Forces Command: Yes, the nukes – at least some of the land-based delivery systems. In effect, this Gunner (he’s from the relevant Fighting Arm, Artillery) was already in the ‘asset management’ business for the army. His immediate appointment and its announcement is a signal to all: the bombs (some of them, for sure) are in safe, familiar, even academic hands.

But remember that the ASFC is not regarded as a top-tier posting. Gilani will probably not press the red button when things go ballistic, though he will have some of the coordinates to shoot his birds at. Also, his political CV is, internationally, very acceptable, for he is a graduate of US Army War College (where he extensively researched Pak-American military ties) and served as commandant of the Armed Forces War College in Islamabad.

But there is a personal angle to the appointment of Pakistan’s new nuke commander: he is a schoolmate, if not a school-chum, of Kayani himself (both are graduates of Military College Jhelum). However, in case someone shouts nepotism, the COAS can keep those charges down to a minimum, primarily because Gilani does have the credentials.

Kayani’s next two choices have institutional patronage written all over them. Both are ‘young’ major-generals, (from the second batch of 2008) compared to the other two, but both promotions have incredibly different backgrounds.

Artilleryman Lt-Gen Ijaz Chaudhry just served as DG-Rangers in Sindh, where he essentially delivered the message of the army to the civilians: without being granted adequate powers, his forces will just stay put. Just like he made his 14th Infantry Division settle back down in Okara after the hell that was Operation Zalzala, Chaudhry ably secured the operational aim of Karachi’s V Corps think-tank: keep mum, till they beg you to return.

Temporarily sidelined by the chief justice of Pakistan for the Sarfaraz Shah killing scandal, Chaudhry waited in the bullpen till his comeback was easily spun as an ‘at your service’ move when things really went south in the city by the sea. Promoting him is a message in simple soduku from the army to all and sundry: that despite a political showdown with a major branch of government, you can still get 3 stars. Just follow your damn orders.

Also interesting to note is that versus Janjua and Gilani, Chaudhry has made it so far because he carries the ‘Made-by-Kayani’ brand, as the decision for his promotion to 2-star rank was made in 2008, when the first selection board was chaired by a then newly appointment, chain-smoking COAS. To have come this far, despite the complications in Karachi, Chaudhry has probably cost Kayani a few cartons of well-filtered cigarettes. Interestingly, his promotion has not been simultaneously announced with a posting; that means Rawalpindi’s Biggest Gun is still thinking hard about placement. Expect to hear more about Chaudhry, the not-so-lone Ranger.

But the appointment of Lt-Gen Naveed Zaman, currently Chief Instructor B-Division at the National Defence University, requires particular attention. Zaman’s brother-in-law, Brigadier Moeenuddin Ahmad, was killed by assailants in October 2009, who ambushed him along with his driver and guard in Islamabad, attacking their jeep with automatic weapons in broad daylight. A probable cause was that Maj-Gen Zaman was holding a key operational position in Waziristan then, for as GOC of the historic 7th Infantry Division, he was in the midst of launching the critical Operation Rah-e-Nijat that very same month.

If that connection caused the killing, then Zaman’s service and plight didn’t go unnoticed. As an alumnus of Cadet College Hassan Abdal, he enjoys the company of a strong old-boys network in the recent and current GHQ and the JCSC Secretariat: Lt-Gen. Khalid Shameem Wynne (CJCSC), Lt-Gen Masood Aslam (former commander XI Corps), Lt-Gen Shujaat Zamir Dar (just retired POF chairman) and the man who till recently pushed all the files in the right direction, Lt-Gen Mohsin Kamal (MS and former commander X Corps); All those Abdalian connections, along with the COAS who had personally promoted him to 2-stars, helped ensure that Zaman be honoured with a safer but respectable ‘desk-job’ as commandant of the NDU.

As he is a ‘consensus candidate’, representing the fraternity of the army, the announcement of Zaman’s immediate appointment as MS indicates that future selection boards, though chaired by Kayani, will make promotions that carry the distributed weight of the round-table of Pakistan’s khaki knights. So, sizing up Pakistan’s new brass on the block, the COAS’s office politics show that he is increasingly going to make future decisions in a way outgoing generals tend to – or are forced to: as first, among equals.



The writer is a former Shorenstein Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a broadcast/online journalist. Email: wajahat _khan@hks.harvard.edu
 
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Gen. Kayani Leaves for Turkey to Attend Istanbul Conference

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani left for Turkey today to participate in Istanbul Conference being held on November 1, 2011.

According to ISPR, the conference encompasses trilateral meetings between political and military leadership of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey. The COAS will hold discussions with senior military leaders of Turkey and Afghanistan.

The COAS was seen off by Lieutenant General Waheed Arshad, Chief of General Staff and Lieutenant General Khalid Nawaz Khan, Commander Rawalpindi Corps.

Army Chief leaves for Turkey
 
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I heard that Pakistan army cheif general Kiyani and US army cheif are course mates.

Can some one confirm this?
 
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Trilateral meeting of Pakistan, Aghanistan and Turkey held

ISTANBUL (TURKEY), Nov 01 (APP): Trilateral meeting of military Commanders of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey held here today which was attended by Chief of the Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani from Pakistani side.

The meeting is a part of “Istanbul Conference on Afghanistan”. The conference encompasses trilateral meetings between political and military leadership of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey.

During the meeting, the military leadership of Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkey discussed the matters pertaining to regional situation. They shared views on the peace process in Afghanistan and the ongoing war against terror.
 
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No PR259/2011-ISPR
Rawalpindi - October 31, 2011:

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani left for Turkey today to participate in Istanbul Conference being held on 1 November 2011.

The conference encompasses trilateral meetings between political and military leadership of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkey. The COAS will hold discussions with senior military leaders of Turkey and Afghanistan.

The COAS was seen off by Lieutenant General Waheed Arshad, Chief of General Staff and Lieutenant General Khalid Nawaz Khan, Commander Rawalpindi Corps.
 
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I heard that Pakistan army cheif general Kiyani and US army cheif are course mates.

Can some one confirm this?

What do u mean? This is impossible because COAS of Pak. Army studied at Military College Jhelum and later joined Pakistan Army and got trained at PAKISTAN MILITARY ACADEMY, KAKUL. COAS of US Army definitely neither got educated at MCJ nor got trained at PMA :P

---------- Post added at 06:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:48 PM ----------

I heard that Pakistan army cheif general Kiyani and US army cheif are course mates.

Can some one confirm this?

Though, I think, he served as staff officer of Benazir. :P
 
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Rawalpindi - November 4, 2011:
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Armoured Corps Centre Nowshera today.

His visit was in the backdrop of Armoured Corps Commanding Officers’ Conference. The conference is a formal event aimed at improving the regimental and professional aspects within armoured units.

COAS interacted with the commanding officers and advised them to inculcate pride and professionalism in soldiers. He also visited the simulator training facilities at School of Armoured and Mechanized Warfare. He expressed his satisfaction over the standards of training and administration.

Earlier on arrival at Nowshera COAS was received by Lieutenant General Ayaz Saleem Rana, Colonel Commandant of the Armoured Corps.
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Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani presenting salute after laying floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada at Armoured Corps Centre Nowshera on Friday.
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The Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani addressing Armoured Corps Commanding Officers’ Conference at Armoured Corps Centre Nowshera on Friday
 
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Rawalpindi - November 7, 2011:
Special Dua for the unity, solidarity and sovereignty of Pakistan was offered at Eid congregations in all military garrisons and establishments as the Pakistan Armed Forces joined the nation for thanks giving on the occasion of Eid ul Azha.

The largest Eid congregation at Rawalpindi was held at Chaklala Garrison which was attended by Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and large number of senior serving and retired military officers, junior commissioned officers and jawans. The congregation offered special prayers for the solidarity and prosperity of Pakistan.

Eid greetings were exchanged afterwards and senior officers present on the occasion freely interacted with the troops

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Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani offering Dua after Eid-Ul-Azha prayers at Chaklala Garrison. (07-11-2011) – Photo ISPR
 
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What do u mean? This is impossible because COAS of Pak. Army studied at Military College Jhelum and later joined Pakistan Army and got trained at PAKISTAN MILITARY ACADEMY, KAKUL. COAS of US Army definitely neither got educated at MCJ nor got trained at PMA :P

---------- Post added at 06:49 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:48 PM ----------



Though, I think, he served as staff officer of Benazir. :P

I didn't ask what you think! :angry:
I asked about simple facts!


:: ISPR :: Inter Services Public Relations - PAKISTAN

It could very well be 'Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell'

Lieutenant General William B. Caldwell | ISAF - International Security Assistance Force
 
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Army Chief calls on President Zardari

ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP): Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Tuesday.

Current security situation and professional matters pertaining to Pakistan Army were discussed during the meeting.
 
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Army Chief calls on President Zardari

ISLAMABAD, Nov 15 (APP): Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani called on President Asif Ali Zardari at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Tuesday.

Current security situation and professional matters pertaining to Pakistan Army were discussed during the meeting.

That was publically notified....
Funny part is how Zardari can be serious on Pakistan Security and Professional Matters.....!!!!!

I am feeling some thing is cooking inside...
 
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My Question to all PDF memebers....

No doubt about the abilities of Kiyani but Why Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani extended Kayani’s term as Chief of the Army Staff by three years ????.

It could be understandable if the duration would be one year based on his capability but its 3 years feels me that the extension was just to hold on miltary to interfare Gillani Gov!!!!

What all people say ????????
 
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