Army wants Kayani to continue

Islamabad, May 24: Pakistan Army’s powerful generals have conveyed their message to the government that they want General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani to continue as the Army Chief.

“The important generals have put their weight behind General Kayani. They want an extension for him,” a highly placed source told this newspaper.

He said that the consensus was developed during the four-day Corps Commanders and Formation Commanders’ Conference that ended last week. “The commanders were of the unanimous opinion that General Kayani should continue as the Army Chief,” he added.

Last week, defence minister, Mr Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, said that the government has no intention to extend the tenure of General Kayani.

The Prime Minister, Mr Yousaf Raza Gilani, came out with a snub later, saying the decision has not been taken.

The commanders, the source said, think General Kayani should continue till the war on terror takes a decisive turn. General Kayani, who is attaining superannuation on November 28 this year, did not hint on his interest in staying in the office after completion of his tenure.

The source said that the government was working out a strategy to provide the much-needed stay in the office for General Kayani.