Change and Continuity under General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani

The Pakistan military is the most powerful institution in the country. It enjoys the informal status as the guardian of national sovereignty and integrity of a state perennially rocked by political instability and, in recent times, by terrorism. Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Pakistan partakes in the United States-led “war on terror”. Such participation has earned Pakistan the wrath of Al-Qaeda, the Taliban and other extremist Islamist organisations. Terrorism against Pakistan by the extremists is the latest threat faced by the country. Therefore, the decisions, policies and strategies adopted by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to deal with internal and external challenges to the state are imperative to understanding Pakistani politics. The COAS has, in the past, also ordered the military to remain neutral during the February 2008 elections. On the whole, he has used his influence to dissuade politicians from resorting to confrontational politics that could once again lead to political instability in the country. On Pakistan’s relations with arch-rival India, the military, under General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, has held on to the doctrine that the main threat to the country’s survival is posed by its neighbour. Therefore, despite the conciliatory attitude of the elected government led by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, the military has not rule