Army won't allow militants to dictate terms: Kayani

[Naveed Yaseen]

ISLAMABAD (April 25 2009): Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvaiz Kayani has reiterated the resolve to defend every inch of Pakistan, saying that people within and outside Pakistan are making various speculations about the future of Pakistan but the military is fully capable of countering any action against the country.

"We are aware of the doubts being voiced about the intent as well as the capability of the Army to defeat the militancy in the country, but every sacrifice will be made to safeguard territorial integrity of Pakistan", General Kayani said while addressing an operational meeting of Pakistan Army, held here at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi on Friday.

General Kayani made it clear that Pakistan Army never has and never will hesitate to sacrifice, whatever it may take to ensure safety and wellbeing of people of Pakistan and country's territorial integrity.

He said that the military operation in some part was not stopped due to weakness but to give reconciliation a chance. "The operational pause, meant to give the reconciliatory forces a chance, must not be taken as a concession to the militants", he continued.

Army Chief declared that Army's rank has the resolve to fight to eliminate the militants, who endanger the lives of peaceful citizens of the country and challenge the writ of the State.

He reassured the people of Pakistan that with their support, Army is determined to root out the menace of terrorism from the society. It will not allow the militants to dictate terms to the government or impose their way of life on the civil society of Pakistan.

General Kayani rejected the pronouncements by outside powers raising doubts on the future of Pakistan, saying Pakistan a country of 170 million resilient people under a democratic dispensation, strongly supported by the Army, is capable of handling any crisis that it may confront. He stated that the victory against the terror and militancy would be achieved at all costs.

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