Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani on Wednesday said he would like to see the country spend less on defence, arguing that national security depended on development as much as on protecting borders.
The COAS accompanied President Asif Ali Zardari during his visit to Siachen to express solidarity and to monitor the search and rescue efforts which are underway at the site where Pakistan Army soldiers are buried in an avalanche.Talking to reporters at Skardu airport, General Kayani said “peaceful coexistence” with arch-rival India was vital to both countries and the welfare of the people should be a priority.
“Peaceful coexistence between the two neighbours is very important so that everybody can concentrate on the well-being of the people,” he said.
Kayani said soldiers would do their duty come what may, but defending borders should not be the country’s sole priority.“We in the army understand very well that there should be a very good balance between defence and development. You cannot be spending on defence alone and forgetting about development,” he said. “Ultimately the security of a country is not only that you secure boundaries and borders but it is when people that live in the country feel happy, their needs are being met. Only in that case will a country be truly safe.” He said national security should be a comprehensive concept. “And therefore we would like to spend less on defence, definitely,” he said. “Any country should do the same – more focus should be on the welfare of the people.”
Later, the president was given a detailed briefing by Force Command Northern Areas (FCNA) Commander Major Gen Ikramul Haq about the rescue activities being carried out. The president praised the efforts that were being made by the Pakistan Army in this regard. While paying glowing tributes to the valiant soldiers, Zardari said the “entire nation is indebted to these sons of the soil and prays for them from the very core of their hearts”. He said all available resources would be utilised to expedite the operation in view of any possible snow slides due to temperature rise and that the Presidency be kept informed about the progress in the rescue operation.
i've seen many barve, polite and well inspired commonders but KEYANI is as brave, polite and well inspired tht i've ever seen in my life coz inspite of this tht situation is very bad in pakistan but even then he doesn't wanna capture parliament house,,,,,,,
as for as his concernd on siacheen,s issue so he is quite right coz inspite of this tht 1st India came and captures over there but even then we requested India to solve this bilaterly not through battle just coz of we r neighbours shouldn't fight
Well Gunpat Kumar sanity must prevail even if virtue stems out of necessacity it must not be disappointed. What both countries have gained out of this useless and nonsensical conflict and insanity at the cost and expense of welfare of their people? Let be honest and admit that neither India have the money, nor do we to waste like this. While maintaining a credible military defense system may be justified, elected Governments have to walk a tightrope to balance expenditure on both, defense spending and the welfare of its people. If Pakistan has realized this you also need to give it a thought.
It is true that the money spent on this could be used for some other peaceful purpose. But India have all the money to spare for the military expenses in Siachen. Indias military expenses are more than 10 times the Pak military expenses. This is during peaceful times when the military budget is only 2% of the GDP while Pak uses a massive share of its GDP for military purposes already. Infact Paks annual military expense is less than the amount by which India increased theirs during this year.
And thanks to the Siachen conflict India now have an excellent technical knowhow of fighting at high altitudes, including medicince, aviation and other aspects of military. Infact all the other countries train with the Indian army to understand these aspects and those who worked in Siachen are considered the best in the world. They have documented the conditions of operating helicopters at altitudes which even the best helicopters in the world (Apache) couldnt handle. And who knew that the completely outdated Panthers (something you would see in the 70s-80s movies) are capable of something like this??
Indian army is the largest voluntary recruitment based army in the world and the applications to be posted in Siachen are so huge in number that the posting time has been limited to only 45 days per soldier in their lifetime. There is no dearth of money or manpower or bravery on this side of the border pal!!
Geb. KiyaNahi,
Whatever happened to "no compromising of national ghariat for economic benefit" speech you had given to the cadets at kakul academy. abbottabad, last year? oh, I got it, last year you meant no compromising of ghairat at "awaam's" economic benefit, however, if the army is the one getting hurt physically or economically then the ghairtat can be compromised!!
After Kiyani's miserable failures at trying to defend the country (abbottabad, salala, ghq etc..the list is too long), it comes across as a vain attempt to sound like a peace loving person. The fact is that he has been too busy being buddies with the rulers and has not prepared the army for its job. It has gotten him extensions on his job but the rest of the army and their training has been ignored.
Very diplomatic way of saying that I have failed to prepare the army for any eventuality so please lets just try to work it out.
What non-sense!
Abbottabad, Salala, GHQ episode, Balochistan, Memo scandal, Bannu jail break (right next to waziristan). Need I list more?
Kayani has no choice. This avalanche can take place again since Pakistanis will be at the base of the mountain. If that happens, Army's reputation will be in soil. This happened in the night. Even if it happened during day when Pakistani soldiers can run, there is no way to escape even if they are the fastest runners in the world. To keep equipment ready for such eventualities in the vicinity will COST big money which neither army nor Pakistan has. In addition, soldiers will be fearful of being posted in Siachen now and will bear resentment. It will be considered a punishment posting. After all these years of India-hatred, it is amusing to see Kiyani & foreign minister talk of mutual withdrawal. India has adjusted to this Siachen drill now. Why should it go for any change at this time? It does need to keep watch on Chinese whom Pakistani have introduced in the area.
Keep your pitifully tiny amount of information of the Siachen Glacier on your own side of the LOC. The Men at Their Best know what they're doing.
Withdraw from Siachin..thats it.. Why you preaching wisdom when you have become bankrupt ????
Pakistan army is singlehandindly responsible for bad relationship with India.
It deliberately created a situation of constant provocation through a proxy war in Kashmir and Punjab, after tasting humiliating defeats in 1947,1965, 1971, and made perception of retaliatory threats from India an excuse to occupy the centre stage in the Pakistan's political circus. It created a hyster1a amongst masses on Kashmir. And now what ? You can't even get to bodies of those unfortunate soldiers even after 7 days !!! No civilian told you to become US ally or set-up terror camps that will make you enemy of whole world..Sorry .. General ..before you want other countries to take you at face value first satisfy your own Judiciary on disappearances and killings of Baloch natianlists…. that will send a signal to world outside that there is a change in your thinking.
Kyani could do the country a favour by hanging Zardari & Gilani.
Whatever happened to the Thousand Cuts Theory?
It is alarming that while common citizens face increasing deprivation and hardship there is an incessant increase in defence spending in Pakistan and India. the both country should revisit the situation and make some cuts in their military spending in order to give benefits to their masses.
Pakistan is left with nothing at the stage thats why its begging India to push back their armies…… Looser pakistan, the 9th failed state in the world, self proclaimed nuclear rivals of India (pakistan is nowhere in the race) is now begging for India’s support…..
@usman: India is third richest country in the world(after america and china). It neednot cut its army expenses to benefit its en masses. India is already in a very prosperous position.
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