Pak Army executing ‘campaign plan’ to beat Taliban with minimum losses : Kayani

September 30th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has said Islamabad would not allow US drones to carry out strikes in Balochistan. Kayani, who was attending the 28th Tripartite Commission, which consists of senior military representatives from Pakistan and Afghanistan, told the military leaders that Pakistan does not support the US view regarding the targeting of militants inside Pakistan's boundary.

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 6th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Kayani has said the Pakistan Air Force and the Army have achieved 'significant successes' against the Taliban and other extremist groups in their offensive in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP). Interacting with media persons during Pakistan Air Force (PAF) war exercises, 'Saffron Bandit 2009-10, General Kayani commended the PAF for its support to the ground troops during the military offensive in Swat and Malakand Divisions.

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.

July 27th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - The US commander of International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, Lt General Stanley McChrystal, visited Pakistan to address the army's concerns over a possible Taliban spill-over from the Helmand operation. Sources said McChrystal arrived in Rawalpindi around 11 a.m.

July 5th, 2009 LAHORE - Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the offensive against the Taliban and other extremist groups being carried out in the Swat and Malakand Divisions would be concluded only when the region is completely sanitized. Zardari met Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani here to discuss issues relating to the security situation in the country including the ongoing campaign against Taliban in Swat, Malakand and FATA.

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.

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'.

June 5th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - Pakistan's Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani has said that the military had "decisively turned the tide" against the Taliban in Swat and adjoining districts. "The tide in Swat has decisively turned and major population centres and roads leading to the valley have been largely cleared of organised resistance by the Taliban," said General Kayani while addressing the 119th Corps Commanders' Conference at General Headquarters.

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 24th, 2009 RAWALPINDI - Worried by the increasing threat perception from the Taliban and questions being raised over the Army's capability and willingness to thwart the challenge, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said that the military is fully prepared and committed to take on the challenge. Addressing an operational meeting at the General Headquarters here, General Kayani said he is aware of the doubts being raised over the intent of the security forces of the country, and clarified that his forces would not hesitate to retaliate.