Pakistan News And Discussion-13

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<b>Quiet general who may succeed Musharraf</b><!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->If General Pervez Musharraf is forced from power, the man who delivers the coup de grace will probably be a quiet, studious general who doubles as the president of the Pakistan Golf Association.

Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani, the deputy chief of the army staff and a skilled amateur golfer, is the favourite to become Pakistan's next president.

Ranking second only to Gen Musharraf, he is the country's most senior military officer. If Gen Musharraf keeps his promise to resign as army chief, Gen Kiyani will almost certainly succeed him.

Defending the country is not the only task of Pakistan's army commander. Toppling unpopular governments is part of the informal job description.

So Gen Kiyani cannot avoid becoming a political player of immense importance. Yet throughout his career, he has always shunned the limelight and won promotion by displaying loyalty and discretion.

<b>Born in 1952, Gen Kiyani comes from Punjab</b>, the traditional home of Pakistan's military elite. After joining the Baluch Regiment in 1971, he enjoyed a swift rise.
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