Ary News: PM extends term of army chief for 3 years

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani has announced that the term of Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has been extended for three more years, ARY NEWS reported Thursday.

Ending months of speculation, the prime minister in an address to the nation Thursday night announced the extension aimed at ensuring continuity in the military operations against extremists and terrorists.

“I, in my capacity of Prime Minister of Pakistan, have decided, in consultation with President Asif Ali Zardari, to soften the regulations and grant a three-year extension in service to General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani as Chief of Army Staff from 29 November, 2010,” the PM said in his brief televised address.

The decision has been made to continue policies of war on terror and implementation of law and order in operation-affected areas, the PM said.

He said that the nation is united against the terrorists and is supporting the government as it is engaged in war different areas of the country against the elements “who want to force their ideology on us”.

PM praised COAS efforts and role in bringing peace to war on terror-affected areas of the country and leading the Pakistan Army in an affective way.

The army chief who, owing to his policy of strict impartiality has won respect for the country’s armed forces is at the forefront in the ongoing war against extremism.

Under his command the Pakistan army has led successful operations in Swat, Malakand and different tribal agencies. General Kayani who succeeded Gen Musharraf as Pakistan’s 14th army chief on November 29, 2007, is a recepient of Hilal-i-Imtiaz and Hilal-i-Imtiaz (Military) for his meritorious services.

He served at various levels of command including his stint as Director General Inter Services Intelligence. Besides being Chief of Staff Corps, General Kayani has also held the coveted post of Director General Military Operations.

General Kayani is a graduate of Fort Benning (USA), Command and Staff College Quetta, Command and General Staff College Fort Leavenworth (USA), Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies, Hawaii (USA), and National Defence College Islamabad.

He possesses wide ranging experience in Command, Instructional and staff appointments and has commanded an infantry Battalion, Infantry Brigade, Infantry Division and a Corps.

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