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New Pakistani Army Chief Is Nobody’s Pawn

Musharraf chose Kayani for loyalty, but general wants politics out

By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 29, 2007 12:43 PM CST
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(Newser) – President Pervez Musharraf chose his successor as army chief for his loyalty, but observers say Ashfaq Kayani wants to excise politics from Pakistan's military and focus on security challenges, the Christian Science Monitor reports. Though military secretary under Musharraf rival Benazir Bhutto, Kayani is seen by one retired honcho as untarnished: "Kayani has no baggage, he's starting with a clean slate."

The military looms large in Pakistan's history, army chiefs deposing the civilian rulers who appointed them on three occasions. But analysts say it's unlikely opponents can tempt Kayani—and with him, the army—into the political fray, citing an Islamist insurgency whose blasts, long confined to outer provinces, now regularly rock major cities. "Kayani can't afford to toe anyone's line unconditionally," an observer says.

In this file picture taken on Aug. 2, 2007 and released by Inter Services Public Relations President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, foreground, and newly appointed Vice Chief of Pakistan Army Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, left rear, attend a ceremony at National Command Authority (NCA) in Islamabad, Pakistan. He owes his meteoric...
In this file picture taken on Aug. 2, 2007 and released by Inter Services Public Relations President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, foreground, and newly appointed Vice Chief of Pakistan Army Gen. Ashfaq Parvez...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, left, reviews guard of honor with his successor Gen. Ashfaq Kayani during change of command ceremony in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007. Musharraf stepped down from his powerful post as Pakistan's military commander, a day before he was to be sworn in as...
Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, left, reviews guard of honor with his successor Gen. Ashfaq Kayani during change of command ceremony in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007. Musharraf...   (Associated Press)
Pakistan%u2019s newly appointed Army Chief Gen. Ashfaq Kayani arrives at a change of command ceremony in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007. Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf stepped down from his powerful post as Pakistan's military commander, a day before he was to be sworn in as a civilian...
Pakistan%u2019s newly appointed Army Chief Gen. Ashfaq Kayani arrives at a change of command ceremony in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007. Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf stepped...   (Associated Press)
In this picture released by Inter Services Public Relations Department, Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, right, hands over the ceremonial baton as he transfers command to his successor Gen. Ashfaq Kayani in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2007. Musharraf stepped down from his powerful post as Pakistan's military commander,...
In this picture released by Inter Services Public Relations Department, Pakistan's President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, right, hands over the ceremonial baton as he transfers command to his successor Gen....   (Associated Press)
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Indian paper wonders what Kayani's thinking about bilateral relations
Times of India (India)

More information on the new chief
PakistanUncut.com

 
Pakistan • Pervez Musharraf • Benazir Bhutto • Ashfaq Kayani

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