Pakistan's powerful Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Sunday declared he was not seeking any more extension and would retire as scheduled on November 29, laying to rest intense speculation about his future.
"My tenure ends on 29th November 2013. On that day I will retire. May the Almighty Allah help and guide us all," said 61-year-old Kayani , who has served twice the normal three-year term for the position. "It is time for others to carry forward the mission of making Pakistan a truly democratic, prosperous and peaceful country that embodies the finest dreams our founding fathers had envisaged for us," he said in a statement.
Kayani was appointed the army chief by former military ruler Pervez Musharraf in late 2007. He was given an unprecedented three-year extension by then premier Yousuf Raza Gilani in 2010.
In a surprise announcement, Kayani said institutions and traditions are stronger than individuals and must take precedence. He also reposed military's support to democracy.
"For quite some time, my current responsibilities and likely future plans have been debated in the media with all sorts of rumours and speculations doing the rounds.
