Pak Army committed to thwart militancy from the country: Kayani

September 26th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Ashfaq Kayani has been ranked higher than Pope Benedict XVI and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown in a list published by a British political magazine, which highlights 50 individuals who have been instrumental in having an impact in today's scenario around the world. New Statesman's list of "50 People Who Matter Today", has the Obamas as the most influential people in the world, while Kayani has been ranked at 24th position, way ahead of the Pope or Brown, The Daily Times reports.

September 24th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani has said the military is close to winning the war against terrorism. Addressing troops during his visit to South Wazirisitan and Tank, General Kayani said the strategy adopted by the army during its all out operation against the extremists in the region together with the people's support has helped security forces dismantle the terror network.

September 8th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - The United States has said it will continue its support to Pakistan in the latter's counter insurgency fight. A US delegation comprising Congressman Adam Smith, Member of House Armed Services Committee Congressman Boby Bright and Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords met Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Kayani at the General Headquarters and assured Pakistan of all possible help in its fight against militancy, The Nation reports.

September 4th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - The Pakistan Army is determined chase the Taliban till the very end, and would continue its offensive against the extremists until they are rooted out from the country, Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani has said. Speaking at a function after inaugurating a rehabilitation centre for young Taliban recruits, General Kayani said 'Operation Rah-e-Rast', being carried out in the Swat and the Malakand Divisions, has broken the back of extremists.

August 30th, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz (PML-N) has now demanded trial of Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani under the Article Six of the Constitution. In an interview with a private television, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif's spokesman Zaeem Qadri said the party wants trial of former President General Pervez Musharraf and his close aides for supporting his unconstitutional actions.

August 14th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani has said country's ongoing struggle against various terrorist groups was a fight against extremism and militancy, and that it was not against any particular religion, ethnicity or sub-nationalism. Speaking at the second annual Azadi Parade at Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, General Kayani said militants would not be allowed to enforce their 'narrow and distorted' version of Islam in the country.

July 4th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - Pakistan Chief of Army Staff , General Ashfaq Kayani has said that the internal threat facing the country was more threatening than the external, and that it needed immediate attention. "While external threats continue to exist, it is the internal threat to Pakistan that needs immediate attention," The Daily Times quoted Kayani, as saying.

July 2nd, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the military offensive against the Taliban would continue until all the extremists are rooted out from the country. "The fight against militancy and terrorism will end with the complete elimination of militants," Zardari said during a meeting with Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani here.

June 26th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - The Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani has said that the security forces would certainly be able to establish control over the region captured by the Taliban and other militants, as the army is "executing a campaign plan" to achieve its target without much collateral damage. Addressing security personnel in South Waziristan where the army has launched an extensive operation against the Tehreek-e-Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud, General Kayani stressed that the insurgents would be eliminated, and the government's writ would be re-established in the region soon.

June 15th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has said that the military operation against the Taliban and other extremists in the Malakand and Swat region was launched to bring those people back on track who had deviated from their path due to certain circumstances. General Kayani said the operation has aptly been named 'Rah-e-Rast' which means the 'right track'.

May 17th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Kayani, has said that the Army has a full range of counter-insurgency training facilities,and added and that it does not require any foreign training to tackle militancy. "Except for very specialised weapons and equipment, high technology, no generalised foreign training is required," The Nation quoted General Kayani, as saying.

May 13th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani has asked the security forces to ensure minimum loss of life of civilians in the Swat operation. General Kayani instructed the Army to plan their movement tactfully with precision strikes, so that little collateral damage is done, The News reports.

May 8th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Kayani has said the Army would mobilise all available resources to launch a 'decisive operation' to crush and flush out the Taliban from North West Frontier Province (NWFP). "The Pakistan Army will employ requisite resources to ensure a decisive ascendancy over the Taliban," The Daily Times quoted General Kayani, as saying at the 118th corps commanders' conference held at the General Headquarters (GHQ).

April 24th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, on Friday said the Army is determined to root out the menace of terrorism from the region. General Kayani further said the Army would fully support the civilian government in its fight against militancy.

April 7th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General, Ashfaq Kayani, has said, the army is fully capable of meeting all "internal and external threats" facing the country. "The army is and will remain fully prepared to meet the current and emerging internal and external threats, with the full support of the nation," he said while addressing the 63rd Formation Commanders Conference at the army's General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi.