Islamabad, Pakistan's powerful Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani was tonight given a three-year extension in service, ending months of speculation over his continuance.
58-year-old Kayani, who was to retire on November 29 this year, will continue in the key post till 2013. He had succeeded Gen Pervez Musharraf as the country's 14th army chief in November 2007.
The announcement was made by Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani in a televised address to the nation, who said Kayani is being given an extension to ensure continuity in the military operations against extremists and terrorists.Gilani said the decision to extend Kayani's term was taken after consultations with President Asif Ali Zardari.
"The government is presently engaged in war against terrorism which is now in a critical stage," Gilani said in his address and added that this this requires continuity of military leadership under the present Army Chief "who led successful operations in Swat, Malakand and South Waziristan." PTI
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