ISLAMABAD:
A day after the Taliban dictated terms for peace talks with the government, army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said that the terrorists would not be allowed to take advantage of the government’s quest for peace.
The military has ‘the ability and the will’ to take the fight to the militants, Gen Kayani said in a policy statement on Monday. A day earlier at least eight security officials – including two senior cadres – were killed in a string of Taliban attacks in the tribal regions and part of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
The surge in Taliban violence came over a week after all major political groups mandated the government at an all-party conference to negotiate peace with homegrown militants. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, an assortment of militants of all hues, instead of reciprocating the move, set two preconditions for talks: the government withdraw troops from all tribal regions and release all Taliban prisoners.
Gen Kayani, however, said the army would not let the terrorists to coerce the country into accepting their terms. While reaffirming the army’s support to the political process, the army chief also said unequivocally that terrorists will not be allowed to take advantage of it, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
He reiterated the Pakistan Army’s resolve and unflinching commitment to fighting the menace of terrorism in accordance with the will of the nation and at any cost. “While it is understandable to give peace a chance through a political process, no one should have any misgivings that we would let terrorists coerce us into accepting their terms.”
His carefully worded statement came a day after the TTP claimed credit for Sunday’s deadly attack in Upper Dir district in which Maj Gen Sanaullah Niazi and Lt Col Tauseef and Lance Naik Mohammed Irfan were killed.
Gen Kayani vowed to spare no effort in bringing the perpetrators of the cowardly acts of terrorism to justice. He lauded the “ultimate sacrifice of the Shaeeds and injured of the four cowardly acts of terrorism”.
He paid rich tributes to the exemplary courage, total commitment to duty and the demonstration of highest leadership qualities by Maj Gen Niazi. “The general officer has set towering example of leading from the front which is the hallmark of the leadership in Pakistan Army.”
Acknowledging Maj Gen Niazi’s ultimate sacrifice for the motherland, the army chief pledged to stand with the families of martyrs and injured. “The Pakistani nation and army will remain indebted to the sacrifices of their soldiers”.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 17th, 2013.
Guess somebody has to take care of the country when the political apparatus is meek ,and has taken a full-fledged retreat against terrorists.
40,000 dead and counting, lets see ability and will.
that was a ‘bad terrorist’ then, eh?
The times for just words are long gone…
csmann, The country is in this mess because “someone” i.e, Army and Musharaf thought they could take care of it.
@ Nadir. Have you ever fought? Battlefield.
Sir..!!
When ll we see this “Ability & Will”……????
We need to cheer for Pakistan and forces that protect the country from internal and external threats.
One General and Lt Colonel killed ….
Talibans have already set terms to talk
The ability and will should be preceded by intent……….the question is does our security establishment really wants to eliminate these militants in totality………………..or want to keep safe some of so called good taliban for future in afghanistan and kashmir.
The sections of of our establishment have been confused all along…………..that’s why we have not been able to completely eradicate these militants…………..
Army’s capacity (will and ability) to eliminate these militants is unquestionable (swat for example)………but there are question marks on intentions.
Kyani is a spent force, near the twilight of his career, with Pakistan’s security situation at its very worst during Kyani’s tenure, thus his words sound empty. Let’s hope the new COAS can take strong action against these militants.
The world is watching, if Pakistan does not deliver, others will.
The military has ‘the ability and the will’ to take the fight to the militants, Gen Kayani said in a policy statement on Monday.
A. The TTP has also shown its ‘ability and will’.
Upper Dir: TTP claim responsibility for killing 3 army officers
http://tribune.com.pk/story/604596/3-army-officers-killed-2-injured-in-upper-dir-ied-blast/
B. And it is also laying down preconditions.
Six Tehreek-e-Taliban prisoners released, for 2 FC personnel
http://tribune.com.pk/story/602992/six-tehreek-e-taliban-prisoners-released-for-2-fc-personnel/
When do we see some action from the other side?