Lieutenant General Raheel Sharif has been appointed as new Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

Top US generals meet General Kayani to discuss military-to-military ties

Gen. John R. Allen, commander of the International Security Assistance Force, met with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Thursday, the latest in a regular series of engagements aimed at bolstering the military-to-military relationship between ISAF and Pakistan as well as improving security in the region.

According to a statement of the US Embassy, the trip is the last Gen. Allen is making to Pakistan as ISAF commander.  He was joined in Islamabad by his successor, Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., who assumes command of the 50-nation coalition force on Sunday.

The officials discussed a variety of issues relating to their mutually shared goals of peace and stability in the region and strengthening cross-border cooperation.

While acknowledging that there is more to do, both leaders were pleased with the progress to date.  This ongoing strategic dialogue between the two four-star generals, supported by frequent discussions at lower levels, has enhanced the effectiveness of operations on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

Army chief meets top commanders amid rising tensions

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military chief met top commanders Thursday amid a widening rift between the powerful armed forces and the civilian government.
Military spokesman Maj. Muhammad Ali Diyal declined to say what the talks at army headquarters were about, but the meeting is likely to fuel speculation about the army’s next move in the country’s political and legal crisis.
Earlier on Wednesday, the prime minister fired the defence secretary and the military issued an unusual statement warning of ”grievous consequences”, as the fallout from a scandal centred on a memo written to Washington asking for its help in reining in the generals widened.
The Supreme Court is investigating that affair and a second one linked to past corruption cases against the president.
The Zardari government, which was democratically elected in 2008, is determined to see out its term. General elections are scheduled for next year, but could well take place sooner. Moreover, the government has been widely criticised for ineptness, poor or ineffectual governance, and alleged corruptio

Allegation by PM against DG ISI, Army Chief very Serious – Pakistan Army

Rawalpindi – ISPR issued a statement today saying that Allegation by PM against DG ISI, Army Chief are very Serious.  According to ISPR, APP has issued a statement on 9th of January 2012 giving details of the interview given by the Honourable Prime Minister of Pakistan to The People’s Daily Online of China when the COAS was also on an official visit to China. The Honourable Prime Minister inter alia termed the responses given by COAS and DG ISI in the alleged Memo Case to the Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan as unconstitutional and illegal. This part of the statement has been quoted and widely debated in the media.

There can be no allegation more serious than what the Honourable Prime Minister has leveled against COAS and DG ISI and has unfortunately charged the officers for violation of the Constitution of the Country. This has very serious ramifications with potentially grievous consequences for the Country.

The statement does not take into account following important facts:-

- COAS and DG ISI were cited as Respondents in the Petitions as such and after hearing the parties the Honourable  Supreme Court served notices directly to the Respondents. This was not objected to by the learned Attorney General of Pakistan.
- The responses by the respondents were sent to the Ministry of Defence for onward submission to the Honourable Supreme Court, through Attorney General (Law Ministry).
- A letter was also dispatched to the Attorney General of Pakistan and the Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan informing that the replies have been submitted to the Ministry of Defence.
- It is emphasized that copies of the statements of the two Respondents were not forwarded directly to the Supreme Court.
- Responsibility for moving summaries and obtaining approvals of Competent Authority thereafter lay with the relevant ministries and not with the Respondents.

It is also highlighted that after a meeting between the Honourable Prime Minister and the COAS, the Honourable Prime Minister had publicly stated through a press release of 16th December 2011 that the replies submitted were “ in response to the notice of the Court through proper channel and in accordance with the rules of business.” No objections were raised before and thereafter, on the legality and constitutional status of the replies, at any time, during the last more than three weeks of hearing of the case by the Honourable Supreme Court.

It is also categorically stated that COAS and DG ISI in their response to the Honourable Supreme Court were obliged to state facts as known to them, on the Memo Issue. The issue of jurisdiction and maintainability of the Petitions was between the Honourable Supreme Court and the Federation.
Any expectation that COAS will not state the facts is neither constitutional nor legal.  Allegiance to State and the Constitution is and will always remain prime consideration for the Respondent, who in this case has followed the book.