JNN 22.07.10 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday gave powerful army chief General Ashfaq Kayani a three-year extension in the top job.

“I have decided to extend tenure of army chief General Ashfaq Kayani for three years in consultations with President Asif Ali Zardari,” Gilani said in a brief televised address to the nation.

He said the decision has been taken after relaxing the rules and keeping in view the active role played by Kayani in the war against terror.

The premier said that the decision to give the extension to the army chief had been taken to ensure continuity of command, adding that the extension period will start from November 29.

He hoped that the war on terror will lead to a successful conclusion under General Kayani’s leadership, he added.

Kayani assumed command of the Pakistan army in November 2007 after his predecessor Pervez Musharraf relinquished command amid international pressure to end his eight years of military rule.

Gilani said that the successful military operation in northwestern regions Swat and Malakand and the tribal region of South Waziristan was possible under the dynamic leadership of General Kayani.

He added that Kayani personally supervised and planned all offensives