Kayani_AP_670
Army chief Ashfaq Pervez Kayani. — File photo

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has said he fully supports the idea of holding a free, fair and transparent election leading to a smooth transfer of power in the country, a prominent columnist for an influential Urdu daily wrote in today's edition of the daily.

Columnist Irfan Siddiqui wrote that in a candid conversation with journalists on Sunday, Kayani said he had assured the chief election commissioner of full cooperation on the matter.

The army chief also said that electing either competent or incompetent rulers was the prerogative of the people and not of the army.

Kayani further said the army had stood by the democratically-elected government for the past five years in light of the essence of the country's constitution, adding that he supported the idea of a smooth transfer of power through the holding of a general election.

The chief of army staff said a free, fair and transparent election in the country was a dream, adding that he was delighted that it would soon be fulfilled.

Kayani said his intentions should be gauged not from his statements but from his actions and from the facts on ground, wrote Siddiqui.

He said the army was constitutionally obligated to stand by the country's government.

Siddiqui is said to have a soft spot for the military and the right wing in his writings.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.