ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani early on Tuesday held all state institutions, including the armed forces, for mistakes being committed in the past and for current crises in the country, DawnNews reported.

Speaking on the occasion of 66th Independence Day of Pakistan at Kakul military academy in Abbottabad, the army chief stated that attaining national integrity is the biggest challenge of the hour.

Commenting on war against militancy and extremism, Kayani said that it is not just Pak-army’s war, adding that success would only come with the support of masses.

He correlated Pakistan and Islam, saying that the country was established on the name of the religion and no force can separate the two.

The army chief admitted that mistakes were committed in the past and held all state institutions, including the armed forces, responsible and said that we should take a lesson from them.

“Instead of crying over spilt milk, we should learn from mistakes of the past and look ahead for the future,” he said.

The army chief said the one who considers his/her opinion as definitive is an extremist, adding that Islam does not allow one to consider themselves as oracles.