Gen Ashfaq Kayani’s tenure as Pak Army chief extended

Islamabad: In only the second such instance in this troubled country's history, Pakistan's prime minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has extended an additional full-three year term in office to the powerful army chief, General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani. Gilani said it was essential that Gen Kayani stay on at such a crucial time in the ongoing war against terror.

General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani was due to retire on 28 November 2010. His tenure now extends to 27 November 2013. Ironically, he will now see off both incumbent president Asif Ali Zardari, whose term ends on September 2013, and prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, whose tenure expires earlier in March 2013.

Gilani announced the tenure extension late on Thursday saying the decision was taken in consultation with the president. "Owing to the ongoing military operations against terrorists, it is important to maintain the element of continuity in the military leadership," he said.

Widespread consensus amongst observers had it that the extension was very much on the cards given Gen Kayani's benign relationship with the US.

Born in 1952 in the suburbs of Rawalpindi, Gen Kayani's is the son of, Lehrasab Khan, a non-commissioned officer, from the country's Punjab province. Kayani's rise to the highest rank of office is a rarity in a country where the privileged few dominate all aspects of life.

Commissioned into the army in 1971, Gen Kayani replaced Pervez Musharraf as the army chief on 29 November 2007. Before assuming command at the top Gen Kayani has served as chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence, and also as director general of military operations.