Pakistan Army Chief Hails Democracy in Announcing Retirement
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Pakistan’s army chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said he’ll retire next month when his term expires, ending speculation that he’ll stay on in a different role as the nuclear-armed country’s democratic transition takes hold.
Kayani, who served two terms after former dictator Pervez Musharraf appointed him in 2007, said he will step down on Nov. 29. His replacement will be chosen by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who resurrected his career after Musharraf ousted him in a 1999 coup, winning a May election that marked the first transfer of power between elected civilian governments in Pakistan’s 66-year history.