Pakistan wants peace, but will not compromise: Kayani

October 13th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The promised 7.5 billion-dollar US aid to Pakistan has placed Washington in the middle of a potential tussle between the Pakistan military and the Zardari government. The differences between General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and President Asif Ali Zardari arose when the former insisted that the government had failed to notice the anti-military clauses in the Kerry-Lugar Bill, THe New York 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.

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 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 19th, 2009 BERLIN - Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and his German counterpart Gen Schneidrhan have pledged to boost defence cooperation and enhance strategic partnership, the Online news agency said Friday. During a meeting here, the two officials discussed the ongoing war on terrorism and the regional situation, among other issues, it said.

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 15th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - At least 31 militants have been killed in latest operations carried out by the Pakistani security forces in northwest Pakistan, officials said Monday. The army said in a statement that in the 24 hours to Monday evening at least 31 militants have been killed and 50 others wounded in operations carried out in different parts of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) and in South Waziristan tribal agency.

May 20th, 2009 BRUSSELS - Pakistan army chief General Ashfaq Kayani discussed the situation in his country during his meeting Tuesday with NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer and other NATO officials here. The talks focussed on how to deepen the relationship between the alliance and Pakistan, including training of Pakistani officers in NATO schools and the Afghanistan-Pakistan border coordination centres, said a NATO press release.

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 16th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The military operation is not enough to restore peace in Pakistan's troubled areas, but a political dimension is needed to attain a permanent solution, Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has said. "I am well aware that the army operation is not a permanent solution to our problems, and political dimensions need to be incorporated to reach a consensus for lasting peace in the troubled areas," The Daily Times quoted Gilani, 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.

March 31st, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Following the intense heat that the Pakistan's investigative agency, Inter State Services (ISI) has come under from the US as well as Britain for its alleged links with banned terror outfits, Pak Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani is expected to make it clear to the United States that the ISI is a national security agency working to protect country's national interests when a high-level US delegation arrives here to discuss the revamped US policy for Afghanistan-Pakistan next week. The Chairman US Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen and US Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke are scheduled to arrive here on April six to discuss the intricacies of the new US policy with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, and Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

February 9th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistani Army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani will visit the US later this month at a time when the Obama administration is reviewing Washington's policy towards his country and neighbouring Afghanistan.

December 22nd, 2008 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's armed forces would give an equal response within a few minutes if India carried out any surgical strike inside the country, army chief General Parvez Kayani said here. In a meeting here Monday with President Asif Ali Zardari, Kayani told him of operational preparedness of the armed forces.

December 22nd, 2008 ISLAMABAD - Chairman of United States joint chiefs of staff Admiral Mike Mullen has met Pakistan army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani here, a media report said Tuesday. The meeting took place in the backdrop of heightened tension between India and Pakistan following the Mumbai terror attacks.