Pak army chief, spy master will stay on: Gilani

Pakistan Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and the country's spy head General Shuja Pasha are not being removed, said Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in an attempt to scotch rumours that they were being sacked.

Gilani Monday rejected as “absurd” the impression and rumours that the government had any intention to remove General Kayani or General Pasha.

“There are rumours that the government probably wants to remove them (Kayani, Pasha). This is absurd. Some opportunist are presenting this theory before the nation, which is wrong," Associated Press of Pakistan quoted Gilani as saying.

The prime minister said it was on his request that General Kayani and General Pasha were given extension.

“I am happy with him,” Gilani remarked in reference to General Kayani.
The country witnessed heightened tension between the government and the army after Gilani Thursday said: "Nobody can say that he is not under the government." He added that conspiracies were being hatched to "pack up an elected government".

General Kayani, however, dispelled speculations of a military takeover and assured the naion that the army will support the democratic process in the country.