Pak officers to stay away from politics: Gen Kiyani

Islamabad, Jan 14: Pakistan's Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani has directed all the Army officers to stay away from politics in line with the established rules.

In a letter written to the officers, Gen Kiyani said the role of the Armed Forces had already been defined in country's laws and Constitution and there was no role of the Army in the country's politics. President Pervez Musharraf, who handed over Army's command to Gen Kiyani in November last year, held politicians reponsible for army's interference in politics. He often said politicians used to drag army chiefs in politics in the past by asking for action against the opposition party.

Gen Kiyani directed officers that they should not indulge in any profit-making venture other than their salary and perks as per their ranks.

He said the army would itself look after its security and there was no need of police posts to provide security to defence installations and army units.

UNI