M A I N   N E W S

Gen Kayani is not a hawk, says cousin
Vijay Mohan
Tribune News Service

“Both sides have immense potential to cooperate in diverse fields, including security. Both countries have a common enemy, which is terrorism. There should be zero tolerance for terrorism and we should stop looking at each other with suspicion and join hands to combat this menace,” he said.

The Britain-educated air commodore, who is the only air force officer in a family of army officers, said that though things were “now looking up” in Pakistan, the country is still facing some handicaps in meeting the challenges. Terrorism, he said had affected Pakistan’s economy very badly.

Refuting the perception that Gen Ashfaq P Kayani, Pakistan’s army chief and the centre of power, is a hawk, he claimed that Gen Kayani wants democracy in Pakistan to be strengthened and is working whole-heartedly towards this end. The situation in Pakistan, he added, would improve if democracy is allowed to come up. The Pakistani army too, he further claimed, supported the Indo-Pak peace process. Admiring Indian democracy for withstanding the test of time, he said that Pakistan has a lot to learn from India.

Stating that he was in India not on account of Gen Kayani or as a part of a peace move but on his own merit as principal of an elite educational institute, he said that Gen Kayani was a major general when he had become the principal. Kayani’s elevation to the army’s top post, he said, has impacted his life to some extent as people approach him with “certain requests” on account of his proximity with the chief.

Being the eldest sibling in the family, he said that he did have direct access to the chief and they met frequently for family affairs. They were together for several hours last week. He pointed out that theirs was a “well-knit martial family”. In fact, both General Kayani and his wife are Air Cmde Kayani’s first cousins.

Interestingly, Air Cmde Kayani’s wife Sajida, who is also accompanying him and celebrated her birthday in Shimla yesterday, was born in India at Babina cantonment near Jhansi. Her father was an armoured corps. Air Cmde Kayani’s father had also served with the British Indian Army in India and was injured during World War II. His 32-year-old son is also a cavalry officer, making it the fifth generation in the forces.

The armed forces are a highly sought-after career option among the youth in Pakistan, which is unlike the present trend in India. “The reasons for which are quite obvious,” Air Cmde Kayani said. He also pointed out that by including benefits and other facilities, military personnel in Pakistan get better remuneration than their civilian counterparts.

Kayanispeak

* Though things were “now looking up” in Pakistan, the country is still facing some handicaps in meeting the challenges

* Terrorism has affected Pakistan’s economy very badly

* Gen Ashfaq P Kayani, Pakistan’s army chief and the centre of power, is not a hawk

* Gen Kayani wants democracy in Pakistan to be strengthened

* The situation in Pakistan would improve if democracy is allowed to come up.