'Kayani's call for Siachen Glacier's demilitarization has opened window of opportunity'

Islamabad, Apr 20(ANI): An editorial in a Pakistan daily has lauded army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani's comments that the Siachen Glacier should be vacated by troops from both sides and progress towards peace be made with India.

The Express Tribune editorial also praised his suggestion that the defence budget should be cut and more allocation should to be spent on development and his acknowledgement that the strength of a country lay in its people.

"The realisation that our nation will progress, not through military might alone, but also through developing the tremendous potential of our people, is a significant one. Many nations have discovered that the will and strength of their people count more than the power of arms. We must capitalise on this notion immediately," the editorial said.

It said that his comments have opened a window of opportunity has been provided by the army chief's comments and added that the military should build a system where more resources can be allocated for development and taken away from defence.

"The power of the army has long been seen as an obstacle to reallocating resources and also to building peace with India. It now seems that an impediment may have been removed and the path for greater institutional cooperation may have been laid. Let us not allow this opportunity to go to waste," the editorial concluded. (ANI)