US considers Kayani a powerful political factor in Pakistan

Islamabad, Aug 14 (ANI): The Obama administration considers Pakistan's Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani a powerful political factor in his country, according to a top US official.

"He (Kayani) is an enormously powerful political factor in the country and, we have extensive discussions with him," US Special Envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan, Richard C. Holbrooke told the popular Charlie Rose Show on PBS during an interview.

"General Kayani, first of all, he's a very powerful person and a very important factor in this equation," Holbrooke said.

"He was head of the ISI. He also went to Fort Leavenworth Command and Control College and is proud to say he is a member of the Fort Leavenworth Hall of Fame (in Kansas),' The Nation quoted Holbrooke, as saying further.

"Among general officers I've known, he's a remarkable strategic thinker. He's very smart," Holbrooke added. (ANI)