Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said “as a nation we are passing through a defining phase. We are critically looking at the mistakes made in the past and trying to set the course for a better future. An intense discussion and debate is natural in this process.”

Speaking to officers at the GHQ, General Kayani said that no individual or institution had the monopoly to decide what was right or wrong in defining national interest and it should emerge only through consensus. He added that Pakistanis have a right to express their opinions and the constitution provides a clear mechanism for it.

Kayani said: “We all have a great responsibility to shoulder. We should learn from our past, try to build the present and keep our eyes set on a better future. We all agree that strengthening the institutions, ensuring the rule of law and working within the well defined bounds of the constitution is the right way forward. Weakening of the institutions and trying to assume more than one's due role will set us back. We owe it to the future of Pakistan, to lay correct foundations, today. We should not be carried away by short term considerations which may have greater negative consequences in the future. “

The COAS further said that the Armed Forces drew their strength from the bedrock of public support and national security was meaningless without it. “Therefore, any effort which wittingly or unwittingly draws a wedge between the people and Armed Forces of Pakistan undermines the larger national interest. While constructive criticism is well understood, conspiracy theories based on rumours which create doubts about the very intent, are unacceptable.”

Kayani added that the integrity and cohesion of the Armed Forces was essentially based on the trust reposed in them by the people of Pakistan. Strengthening this trust would ensure better security of the country. Equally important is the trust between the leaders and the Armed Forces. Any effort to create a distinction between the two, undermines the very basis of this concept and is not tolerated, be it Pakistan or any other country.

“While individual mistakes might have been made by all of us in the Country, these should be best left to the due process of law. As we all are striving for the rule of law, the fundamental principle; that no one is guilty until proven, should not be forgotten. Let us not pre judge anyone, be it a civilian or a military person and extend it, unnecessarily, to undermine respective institutions.”

“All systems in Pakistan appear to be in a haste to achieve something, which can have both positive and negative implications. Let us take a pause and examine the two fundamental questions; One, are we promoting the rule of law and the Constitution? Two, are we strengthening or weakening the institutions? In the ultimate analysis, all of us would have served Pakistan better if history and our future generations judge us positively.”

http://www.geo.tv/GeoDetail.aspx?ID=74245

This was a long awaited response by army lower cadre.......
intense pressure by critics has been applying more negative less positive. So, COAS under army pressure came out and brought some news for us.
Zaid Zaman Hamid (Unofficial spokes man of army on facebook ) regarded it " a statement after withstanding critical pressure.
Now for some days media will show some manners ..hope... Now najam sethi , nawaz league nisar chaudhry and comedy show anchor becoming political critics aftab iqbal will show some respect for beheading army personnels....

Speaking to a group of officers at the General Headquarters on Monday Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said that all systems in Pakistan appear to be in a haste to achieve something, which can have both positive and negative implications.
He put two fundamental questions to examine:
- Are we promoting the rule of law and the Constitution?
- Are we strengthening or weakening the institutions?

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Left is Right

I personally feel that army has minded the accountability of its ex generals as they are sacred cows and no one can touch them.its a warning from COAS.

if indian army chief said something like this we all know what would be done with him in indian Democratic state.

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“Never throughout history has a man who lived a life of ease left a name worth remembering.”

I see this as a positive message. This was a clear message specifically to media and politicians who consider themselves Gods when they talk about institutions. Specially the media, the anchors have just forgotten their limits because their is no check on them. When they wish, they make issue of an ant and neglect the elephant. There was no need to compare CJ`s statement and COAS statement. Both were already scheduled. It is the media that said "CJ replies to COAS"

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Help from Allah and a near victory. And give glad tidings to the believers.

Supreme Court didn't ever blame PAK ARMY for corruption, only few generals were declared guilty of distributing money among the politicians. I think that Supreme Court is doing a tremendous job and they are completely following the constitution. COAS reservations are not true, every person has a feel of proud on slain soldiers of PAK ARMY, ARMY has proved itself a brilliant organization in Pakistan as they always work to give relief to affected countrymen in any natural calamity, But we have to kept one thing in mind that in a democratic society Army should be accountable and answerable to parliament and judiciary.

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A successful person is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that other throw at him. (David Brinkley)

Kayani must stick to his duty which is to defend the borders. He has no right whatsoever to make political statements. I agree with CJ Chaudhary that Pakistan's survival lies in rule of law and constituional supremcay. Army cheif must be given show cause notice for all his media rhetoric.

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CSS 2009, 2010, 2011 Qualifier

It was not a political statement rather assuaging troops morale . Media was going insane after abbotabad raid and COAS must deliver some words....
Media is making it anti SC statement although both have only 5 minutes difference......How both appear is just a co incident not offensive act.

Actually army ever do better for country and there is no doubt that this institution cant go against Pakistan, because Pakistan and Army are both name of one thing. whenever army observe that something is going to be done against sovereignty of our state they do what they can do same army performed in 1990.

Though now the outrageous style of venerated Kiyani has not been liked by masses and it was not up to the mark, he should be responsible as he is. He should put up the real condition in front of nation that they did each and everything in the best benefit of state.

Media and other outspoken type hype creators should avoid from things which are not in favor of state. The Army men who protect our borders and ever ready to fight for this land, should not be brought under innuendos, satire and blames. The heroes who deserve appreciation are criticized on our land.

Hopefully atmosphere of this strained relation would be better because no one is personal here. Every one doing best for Pakistan. So pray for and hope for the best.

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Ay watan tu nay pukara to lahu khol utha,,
tery betay tery jan'baaz chaly aatay hein..!!