Pakistan Views

Pervez Musharraf stepped down Wednesday from the Army Chief post handing over the Army command to Gen. Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, who took charge as 14th Chief of Pakistan Army. Musharraf to take oath as a civilian president on Thursday.

Musharraf addressed the change of command ceremony held in this garrison town at Hockey Stadium next to the military General Headquarters.

The ceremony was attended by the caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro, the services chiefs, members of the caretaker cabinet and high military and civil officials.

“I’m proud of this army and I was lucky to have commanded the world’s best army,” Musharraf said. “I will no longer command …but my heart and my mind will always be with you.” He said “I am leaving the Army in a best shape.” He said he knows Gen. Ashfaq Pervez Kayani for last 20 years who is an excellent soldier and Army officer.

“After passing 46 years in the Army I am saying farewell to the institution,” President Musharraf said. “I am sad to leave the Army, which is like a family to me,” he further said.

He thanked Gen. Ashfaq Kayani and other officers and jawans of the armed forces for their assistance and cooperation.

He said the Army is the force to protect and unite the country. He said it is the military, which comes forward to face any internal or external threat. It is the military that always remains prepared to offer sacrifices in natural calamities, he further said.

He said Pakistan could not survive without the Army. He said some unscrupulous elements raise fingers at the army but they do not understand the role of military in development and solidarity of Pakistan.

Musharraf handed over the ceremonial command baton to his successor Gen. Ashfaq Kayani saying that he is handing over the Army to a person who is an excellent soldier.