Insisting that he was against the military's involvement in politics, Pakistan's Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has said that the security forces' role in the February 18 parliamentary elections would be limited to maintaining peace and order.
Kayani, who met senior columnists and other media persons on Saturday, said that the Army would not be responsible for the transparency or non-transparency of the polls and its role would be limited to maintaining peace and order.
The General said he was against the Army's involvement in politics, adding that he had no personal political designs.
He promised to recall within six months the Army officers working in civil departments and said that such officers have been asked not to use the Army number plates on their vehicles. They have also been told not to make their identity known in social and professional ceremonies.
Kayani also discussed the situation in the restive Wana and Swat regions in northwest Pakistan during his meeting with the media persons.
