Pakistan’s army chief gets 3 more years at helm, ensuring continuity in terror fight

By AP
Thursday, July 22, 2010

Pakistan extends term of army chief for 3 years

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan’s prime minister Thursday extended the term of army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani for three more years, ensuring continuity at a crucial point in the country’s terror fight as well as the U.S.-led campaign across the border in Afghanistan.

In a late night address, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani said the extension was merited because of Kayani’s leadership in anti-terror campaigns in the northwest, where the army has carried out a series of operations over the last two years. Kayani’s current three-year term was due to expire in November.

The decision will likely be welcomed in the United States, which has praised Kayani’s leadership.

Kayani has also been lauded within Pakistan for focusing the army on defense and not disrupting the country’s return to civilian rule after nine years of leadership under ex-military ruler Pervez Musharraf that ended 2008.

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