ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani will start the three-year extension period in his tenure from tomorrow (Monday).
General Kayani was due to retire from service on November 29, 2010 but was given an extension of three years by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on July 22.
Making the announcement in the shortest-ever televised speech by any Pakistani prime minister, Gilani said the vital decision was taken for the sake of the continuity of counterterrorism operations that were in their crucial stage.
“The success of military operations could only have been achieved under General Ashfaq Kayani’s leadership. He has been involved in planning and monitoring operations in the militancy-hit areas.
These operations are at a critical stage and successful continuation of these operations required continuation in the military high command,” Gilani said.
To many, one reason for his extension was the strong desire of the Obama administration, which believed that for the success of anti-terrorism efforts by Islamabad, it was vital that Kayani stayed in office.
