Maj Gen (retd) Athar Abbas who is former DG ISPR has exposed that, the delay in executing North Waziristan operation was due to unwilling of former army chief Gen (retd) Ashfaq Pervez Kayani. The military establishment was ready for this assault against militants hiding in North Waziristan three years ago.

Maj Gen (retd) Athar Abbas who is former DG ISPR has exposed that, the delay in executing North Waziristan operation was due to unwilling of former army chief Gen (retd) Ashfaq Pervez Kayani. The military establishment was ready for this assault against militants hiding in North Waziristan three years ago.

Maj Gen (retd) Athar Abbas has revealed this in a recent interview given to BBC Urdu on Monday that, military leadership was on one page about launching operation in North Waziristan Agency but “He (Kayani) was hesitant regarding the military offensive in North Waziristan … he was delaying the decision because he thought the decision would be considered as his personal verdict.” “That is why he kept on delaying the decision which cost us dearly,” Athar Abbas added.

Furthermore, in reply of a question that whether individual weaknesses of former army chief Gen (retd) Ashfaq Pervez Kayani was the reason behind hesitancy to launch army assault in Noth Waziristan, Maj Gen (retd) Athar Abbas replied,  “This is generally true”.

“The delay has strengthened the extremists … they have grown in numbers and they are more resourceful, they are better connected with each other now and in my opinion things have become more complicated,” said by the former DG ISPR.