Jamaat-i-Islami urges Kayani to ‘justify’ tenure extension
By ANIWednesday, July 28, 2010
LAHORE - The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has demanded from Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani to justify his tenure extension by presenting a balance-sheet of the anti-terror operation conducted under his command in the last three years.
JI chief Syed Munawwar Hasan also asked him to come out with a plan for the next three years.
“The Army chief should make public his agenda for his extended term besides telling the nation results of the anti-terror operation launched by him,” the Dawn quoted Hasan, as saying.
He also cautioned the government not to give in to the US demand of conducting army operations in North Waziristan and south Punjab.
He claimed that if military operations are held there then terrorism would spread to “every inch of the country”.
Kayani was originally due to retire on November 28, but will now remain in office until 2013.
The extension is only the second such incident in Pakistan’s history when a civilian regime has increased the services of the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS).
The first such extension was given by former president Iskandar Mirza to General Ayub Khan.
The three army chiefs-Field Marshal Ayub Khan, General Zia-ul-Haq and General Pervez Musharraf had extended their own terms while holding the office of the President. (ANI)
