Salahuddin Haider
PAKISTAN army, lauded by the countrymen and world at large, for a very high standard of training, discipline and sustained morale building, cannot afford to take things lightly for long. It has to preserve its image. Taking hits and punches, without rhyme or reason, was not in its interest and needed to be checked. After taking hits and punches, for a considerable length of time, it was left with little option but to reiterate its neutrality, and apolitical nature to the nation. Its media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations chief held a press conference which in the eyes of many an analyst, had become necessary.
His explanations were simple and straightforward. Army he made it clear was not interested in politics. As official institution, it had to discharge its responsibility with complete dedication, which it did in electoral process also. Since it was commanded by those in authority to supervise the last elections, it performed that duty diligently. The two-star officer chose words carefully, knowing fully well that even a milder mistake would encourage those leveling wild allegations, to make a mountain of molehill.
The points Babar Iftikhar made were all noteworthy. The 240-mile long fencing on Afghan government, was done by the government which had to remain on guard against terrorists’ infiltration from across the western border. Most of the work is complete; the remaining would soon be over. Army was obligated to carry out orders, which it did to the best of its ability, and by the Grace of God Almighty, the purpose for which a stupendous task was undertaken, had yielded results, to the extent of over 95 percent satisfaction. Remarkable reduction in terrorism and crime rate has enhanced country’s image enormously, which stands proven by figures and statistics, checked and double checked.
Taking a question with complete and composure about Maulana Fazlur Rehman’s repeated threats of marches and sit-ins before GHQ in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, he said it was not for him to comment on politics. But first he saw no reason why should the JUI-F chief visit Rawalpindi, but if does so, he would be refreshed with ‘tea, water etc’. ‘Beyond this I can not make any more observation’ ISPR chief was conscious of his limitation as uniformed officer.
However, he very convincingly set the record straight by conveying to the media that those thinking of electoral fraud should produce evidence to substantiate their charge. Army had carried out its responsibility with unreserved responsibility. His answer to the somewhat speedy repetition from Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Maryam Nawaz that Imran Khan, was brought to power by ‘selectors’ obviously was indirect attack on army, but General Babar removed that impression. Whether his explanation had yielded the result remains to be seen. However Maryam Nawaz is quiet for sometime, but Fazlur Rehman, and Mahmood Khan Achakzai continue with their rhetorics, which public surely will not like. Army has proved itself as guardian of democracy—a fact also reiterated by General Babar that armed forces, as subsidiary institution, had to be behind the government.
Prime Minister Imran Khan felt sorry that Fazlur Rehman and Mahmood Khan Achakzai were now and then was inciting rebellion in the army by asking officers to remove General Qamar Bajwa and Lt-Gen Faiz Hameed. This is high treason. Pakistan army is defender of the motherland, a job it is executing with tremendous perfection. People of Pakistan feel confident of being in safe hands. Army chief Bajwa only two days ago in Quetta met families of Mach massacre and re-assured them that those involved in heinous crime would be brought to book. Justice will surely be done to the people. Achakzai’s demand in a PDM rally to remove fencing, a safety tool on the Pak-Afghan borders, is again high treason which he must be tried.
