World | Pakistan
Kiyani says army will work to maintain peace during polls
Pakistan army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani has said the army's role in next month's general election would be limited to maintaining peace and order, according to newspaper reports on Saturday.
- By Shahid Hussain, Correspondent
- Published: 00:11 January 28, 2008
Islamabad: Pakistan army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani has said the army's role in next month's general election would be limited to maintaining peace and order, according to newspaper reports on Saturday.
The army would not be responsible for transparency and non-transparency of the polls; the reports quoted him as saying during a meeting on Friday with newspaper editors.
Kiyani, who took command of the army after President Pervez Musharraf stepped down as army chief late last year to become civilian head of state, said he was against army's involvement in politics and had no personal political designs.
He said that army personnel working with civilian departments would be recalled within six months. During this period army officers would not be allowed to use army number plates on their vehicles and they would be directed not to expose their identities in social and professional ceremonies.
Since assuming the top military post, Kiyani has indicated on various occasions his views against military involvement in politics, signals that have been welcomed by political parties and the intelligentsia.
Focus
As Pakistan approaches the crucial vote scheduled for February after a postponement caused by the December 27 assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, domestic and international focus remains on whether the polls would turn out to be fair and credible.
Almost all opposition parties continue to voice fears the Musharraf government would manipulate the vote in favour of political allies.
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