Heeding to domestic and international pressures to give up dual posts, Pakistan's military ruler Pervez Musharraf on Wednesday stepped down as Army Chief after a nine-year reign, handing over the baton to his trusted deputy Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani before taking oath as a civilian President on Thursday.
According to The Hindu, Pakistani news channel Dawn reported that President Pervez Musharraf is expected to lift emergency in next 48 hours.
The "change of command" ceremony, replete with military pomp and traditions, was held at a stadium in the army's General Headquarters in the nearby garrison city of Rawalpindi.
Ending a 46-year career in the army, Musharraf formally handed over the charge to Kayani, the 52-year-old former chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence agency who was hand-picked by him last month to head the 500,000-strong force.
"I am saddened that I will not be in uniform from tomorrow and it is difficult to express my feelings in words," Musharraf, a former commando, said in his farewell address.
"After being in uniform for 46 years, I am saying goodbye to this force. This army is my life, my passion, I have been in love with this force," the Pakistani President said.
Musharraf, 64, was appointed Army Chief on October 7, 1998 by then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who promoted him over several other officers. The two men soon fell out over differences on several issues, including the incursion into the Kargil area of Jammu and Kashmir, and Musharraf seized power in a bloodless coup in 1999.
"After you have spent half a century in the family of the Pakistani armed forces -- forces which have given me total loyalty and love -- there is sadness in leaving," said Musharraf, wearing a ceremonial dress, medals and a green sash, as his wife Sehba, looking glum, listened in rapt attention.
"I know the army is under a lot of pressure today. It has been in Siachen and Kashmir, there are operations in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, settled areas of NWFP, though operations have reduced in Balochistan," he said.
"But I would like to say this is part of our duty. When we put on this uniform, we vow to even give up our life. We can't run away from this promise."
"The armed forces of Pakistan are an integrating force, they are a binding force for the country and they are the saviours of Pakistan," Musharraf told the gathering comprising serving and retired army officers, diplomats and members of the interim government, including caretaker Prime Minister Mohammedmian Soomro.
Referring to his successor, Musharraf said: "I am handing over command to Gen Kayani, a man I have known for over 20 years. He has served under me and I know he is an excellent soldier.
"I have full faith that under his command the force will attain new heights. I am sure you will be as loyal to him as you have been to me."
Earlier, Musharraf was welcomed by Kayani to the ceremony at the Hockey Stadium near the General Headquarters. An army band played the national anthem before Musharraf reviewed a marching parade comprising contingents from the Frontier Force and Azad Kashmir Force.
Musharraf's address was followed by a performance by a brass band and a drum solo, after which he handed over the "change of command" baton to Kayani.
The military ruler shook hands with members of the audience, including several retired officers, before leaving the stadium with Kayani.
Regarded as a Musharraf loyalist, Kayani was promoted as the Vice chief of Army Staff on October 2. The chain-smoking career soldier managed to beat several fellow corps commanders in a closely fought race for the top slot of Army.
Kayani, who always kept a low public profile, was replaced as the ISI chief on September 21 in a reshuffle of the top Army brass. He had worked closely with former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto as her military secretary and was the chief negotiator in her talks with Musharraf for a political rapprochement.
An avid golfer and a keen sportsman, Kayani is married and has a son and a daughter.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Saturday, November 3, 2007
Tourist season in October
Nepal saw an impressive 18 percent growth in arrival of tourists via air in the month of October as compared to the same month of the last year. According to a press release issued by the Nepal Tourism Board on Saturday, the visitors' arrival data released by Immigration Office, Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) in October shows the healthy growth of 18 percent-- up by 6617 tourists.China and Sweden have registered a colossal growth of 133 percent and 91.7 percent respectively, the highest of the arrival of the overall tourists.
American markets like Canada (43.2%) and USA (40.3%) have continued to show the positive result despite their travel advisory. Denmark (88.6%), Austria (56.9%), Norway (55.4%), Belgium (50.3%), S Korea (37%) and Germany (33.3%) clearly show the revival of Nepali tourism as the peace process continues.Other upcoming markets like Bangladesh (51.1%) and Sri Lanka (56.6%) have also shown positive growth.The total arrivals in the last nine months have gone up by 30 % having 295,855 visitors by air in comparison to the same period last year. Each country has recorded very optimistic figures except the Indian market. The cheap tour packages floated by South East Asian and European countries have reportedly enticed the Indians, which is one of the reasons for decline in tourist arrivals from India, according to the NTB officials. Since Cosmic Air has already resumed its service to New Delhi and other airlines are expected to increase flight frequency in this sector soon, tourist arrival will definitely increase from India in next few months, the NTB claimed.The launch of service of Silk Air from Singapore and Etihad Airways from the United Arab Emirates in the month of October drifted positive message to the world that Nepal is a happening destination. With the operation of these two airlines, it is expected to increase the number of passengers from Singapore, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Europe.
American markets like Canada (43.2%) and USA (40.3%) have continued to show the positive result despite their travel advisory. Denmark (88.6%), Austria (56.9%), Norway (55.4%), Belgium (50.3%), S Korea (37%) and Germany (33.3%) clearly show the revival of Nepali tourism as the peace process continues.Other upcoming markets like Bangladesh (51.1%) and Sri Lanka (56.6%) have also shown positive growth.The total arrivals in the last nine months have gone up by 30 % having 295,855 visitors by air in comparison to the same period last year. Each country has recorded very optimistic figures except the Indian market. The cheap tour packages floated by South East Asian and European countries have reportedly enticed the Indians, which is one of the reasons for decline in tourist arrivals from India, according to the NTB officials. Since Cosmic Air has already resumed its service to New Delhi and other airlines are expected to increase flight frequency in this sector soon, tourist arrival will definitely increase from India in next few months, the NTB claimed.The launch of service of Silk Air from Singapore and Etihad Airways from the United Arab Emirates in the month of October drifted positive message to the world that Nepal is a happening destination. With the operation of these two airlines, it is expected to increase the number of passengers from Singapore, Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Europe.
Emergency in Pakistan
Embattled President Pervez Musharraf on Satuday night clamped a state of emergency in Pakistan ahead of a crucial Supreme Court ruling on the legality of his re-election, plunging the country into a fresh political crisis.
An eight-member Supreme Court bench immediately set aside the Emergency order which suspended the current Constitution amid reports that Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who has been at loggerheads with Musharraf, has been asked to go.
Musharraf, who had seized power in a bloodless coup ousting Nawaz Sharif in October, 1999, took the step as he struggled to contain the militant violence and faced serious challenge to his political authority, raising doubts over parliamentary polls planned for January.
"The chief of army staff (Musharraf) has proclaimed a state of emergency and issued a Provisional Constitutional Order," the state-run Pakistan TV said without elaborating.
Security forces were deployed around vital installations, including state-run TV and radio stations, in the capital and other parts of the country. Army troops entered the Supreme Court building while dozens of security personnel blocked the road leading to the apex court with the judges inside, witnesses said.
All land and mobile telephone services were suspended and several private TV channels were taken off air.
Security forces arrested Eitzaz Ahsan, Supreme Court Bar Association chief who successfully defended Chaudhry after he was suspended in March by Musharraf. Ahsan had represented the petitioners opposing Musharraf's re-election in the Supreme Court.
The Association, which had spearheaded a massive anti-Musharraf campaign by the lawyers, had earlier issued a resolution saying it will oppose imposition of emergency.
The Supreme Court had earlier said it will give its verdict by November six on the legality of Musharraf's re-election in uniform for the post of President.
Musharraf had said that if re-elected he would doff his uniform, a key demand of the opposition. However, later he said he will decide on his course of action after the Supreme Court ruling on his re-election, leading to speculation that he may declare a state of emergency or martial law in case of an adverse verdict.
Musharraf is expected to address the nation later on Saturday night setting out the reasons for imposing emergency rule.
According to TV channels, judges would have to take a fresh oath under the new provisional constitutional order.
Senior security officials were meeting in the interior ministry to discuss the situation and the possible detention of senior political leaders and lawyers, they said
Ahead of clamping emergency, Musharraf held a series of meetings with close aides, security advisors and senior ministers. He was briefed by Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao on the situation in Swat, where over 150 people have died in clashes between government troops and militants.
This was followed by a meeting at the presidency between Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, ruling PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, cabinet ministers and senior intelligence officials.
Security was tightened in Islamabad and across the country. More than 1,500 personnel from Punjab province were deployed in the national capital, including the Constitution Avenue, the central boulevard along which the parliament, president and Supreme Court are located.
An eight-member Supreme Court bench immediately set aside the Emergency order which suspended the current Constitution amid reports that Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, who has been at loggerheads with Musharraf, has been asked to go.
Musharraf, who had seized power in a bloodless coup ousting Nawaz Sharif in October, 1999, took the step as he struggled to contain the militant violence and faced serious challenge to his political authority, raising doubts over parliamentary polls planned for January.
"The chief of army staff (Musharraf) has proclaimed a state of emergency and issued a Provisional Constitutional Order," the state-run Pakistan TV said without elaborating.
Security forces were deployed around vital installations, including state-run TV and radio stations, in the capital and other parts of the country. Army troops entered the Supreme Court building while dozens of security personnel blocked the road leading to the apex court with the judges inside, witnesses said.
All land and mobile telephone services were suspended and several private TV channels were taken off air.
Security forces arrested Eitzaz Ahsan, Supreme Court Bar Association chief who successfully defended Chaudhry after he was suspended in March by Musharraf. Ahsan had represented the petitioners opposing Musharraf's re-election in the Supreme Court.
The Association, which had spearheaded a massive anti-Musharraf campaign by the lawyers, had earlier issued a resolution saying it will oppose imposition of emergency.
The Supreme Court had earlier said it will give its verdict by November six on the legality of Musharraf's re-election in uniform for the post of President.
Musharraf had said that if re-elected he would doff his uniform, a key demand of the opposition. However, later he said he will decide on his course of action after the Supreme Court ruling on his re-election, leading to speculation that he may declare a state of emergency or martial law in case of an adverse verdict.
Musharraf is expected to address the nation later on Saturday night setting out the reasons for imposing emergency rule.
According to TV channels, judges would have to take a fresh oath under the new provisional constitutional order.
Senior security officials were meeting in the interior ministry to discuss the situation and the possible detention of senior political leaders and lawyers, they said
Ahead of clamping emergency, Musharraf held a series of meetings with close aides, security advisors and senior ministers. He was briefed by Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao on the situation in Swat, where over 150 people have died in clashes between government troops and militants.
This was followed by a meeting at the presidency between Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, ruling PML-Q chief Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, cabinet ministers and senior intelligence officials.
Security was tightened in Islamabad and across the country. More than 1,500 personnel from Punjab province were deployed in the national capital, including the Constitution Avenue, the central boulevard along which the parliament, president and Supreme Court are located.
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