IN the backdrop of confusing political moves, media reports and speculations on different issues and challenges, Army spokesperson and Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major-General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry Tuesday came out with categorical remarks that put the position and viewpoint of the institution in the right perspective on these important issues. He underlined that perpetrators of 09 May violence were left with only one option of apologizing to the nation for their crimes; supported, in principle, the demand for a judicial commission to probe the incident but wanted such a body to go deep into long marches and sit-ins of the past; explained the spirit of Article-19 of the Constitution regarding freedom of expression; analyzed the nation’s verdict in 2024 general election, reiterated the Pakistan Army was apolitical, clarified the role of SIFC, confirmed the plot to kill Chinese engineers was hatched in Afghanistan; and assured the nation the Pakistan Army was fully cognizant of the planning being made in India to divert attention from its internal difficulties.
Hopefully, the unambiguous statement made by the spokesperson would go a long way in crystallizing opinion on these and other related issues and put confusion and rumours to rest. Of late, the PTI has been putting out feelers about contacts and possibility of a dialogue with the Establishment but the clear-cut remarks of General Sharif should leave no doubt about the position of the institution on this vital issue. It has been made clear that there would be no deal or talks with perpetrators of the 09 May crimes and that they have only one option of apologizing from the nation with pledges not to persist with unlawful and unconstitutional conduct. No doubt, this means the Army has ruled out the possibility of a deal or talks with such elements but at the same time a major concession has been offered to the PTI – a sort of immunity from legal proceedings in case the perpetrators of crimes genuinely repent their wrongdoings. It is understood that this window of opportunity has been offered for the sake of the greater cause of national reconciliation and promotion of national unity and harmony. The offer is worth taking for the PTI and one hopes the opportunity would not be missed due to egoism. This is important in view of the fact that the Pakistan Army and the Government are in possession of authentic and relevant information and evidence of involvement of concerned people in violence in one way or the other as was confirmed from the video clips played during the news conference of DG, ISPR. As for demands about formation of a judicial commission on the happenings of May 09, it would be logical to go deep into the conspiracies hatched to destabilize the elected governments through long marches, sit-ins, violent protests and moves like writing letters to the UN and IMF inviting them to interfere in the internal affairs of the country. It is intriguing that those who trampled the sanctity of symbols of the state like Parliament House, PM House and PTV Headquarters have been left unaccountable, which is a sort of encouragement for the future. As for general elections, the analysis made by the Army spokesperson needs to be given a realistic thought by media and opinion-makers as misrepresentation of facts and data is misleading people. Contrary to propaganda by vested interests, he once again clarified that the role of the Army in the elections was confined to providing a secure environment for voting. It is also a fact that the SIFC is rendering valuable services and attempts to give it political cover must be shunned. Missing persons issue is a serious one but it would be unfair to portray violators of law and even those who indulge in terrorist activities as heroes. On the basis of evidence gathered during investigations, General Sharif confirmed earlier media reports that the plan for Bisham attack was prepared in Afghanistan, suicide bomber was an Afghan national and the vehicle used was also prepared there. The evidence shows the Afghan Government is not living up to its repeated pledges not to allow the use of Afghan soil for any terrorist activity against Pakistan. The pledge made by him to make Pak-Afghan border a normal border with documented movement is appreciable and needs to be implemented in letter and spirit.
