Comments
Faisal Zahid Malik
Chairman & CEO
Pakistan Observer
Propaganda by vested interests notwithstanding, there is growing impression among the majority of people of Pakistan that the incumbent Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir is leaving deep imprints on the system, which is gradually improving to respond to the aspirations of the common man. Since November 24, 2022 when General Asim Munir took charge of the world’s one of the most disciplined and professional Armies, he made strenuous and conscientious efforts to utilize the services of his institution to help improve governance, eradicate chronic ills, remove hurdles in the way of economic development and prosperity and above all restore confidence of the people in the ability of the State to deliver.
There can be no two opinions that the General assumed his professional responsibilities at a time when the country was caught deep into a multitude of challenges and threats, causing disillusion among masses about the very future of the country. The economic mess caused mainly by the political instability was a source of serious concern for people of Pakistan as the monster of default was raising its ugly head and the intense polarization threatening the very fabric of the society. However, it was because of the unrelenting efforts of the Army Chief and valuable input by his institution that both the Coalition Government and the incumbent Caretaker set up were able to initiate policies and measures that have put the country back on course and today confidence level of the people has improved considerably as they see light at the end of the tunnel.
General Asim Munir, who served in different capacities in different branches of Pakistan Army, has an impeccable record of professionalism and personal integrity. He is widely respected for his reputation as a doer and the one who goes strictly by book when it comes to the discharge of the national responsibilities. His selection as the next Commander of one of the globe’s finest forces was a foregone conclusion because of his seniority and fulfillment of merit criteria but unfortunately sordid attempts were made to make the appointment controversial merely because of political expediency. It was, perhaps, for the first time in the checkered history of the country that a hectic propaganda campaign was initiated to politicize the appointment of the Army Chief, which was a routine matter and has all along been done in accordance with the laid down procedure and criteria. Misleading arguments were churned out both during speeches and statements as well as in the social media to influence the process of selection. However, finally the merit prevailed and the then Prime Minister (Mian Shehbaz Sharif) took the right decision to appoint General Asim Munir to the coveted post.
It is a matter of record that General Asim Munir did not allow himself to be influenced by motivation of those who tried to politicize his appointment as well as remarks made about his person. Therefore, he made a clean start vowing firmly and openly to uphold and pursue the institutional decision to keep the Pakistan Army apolitical. He upheld this pledge by distancing his institution from political moves and situations, avoided meeting political leaders as had been a practice in the past and shunned the tendency of personal projection. He also avoided unnecessary media interaction but spoke to media as well as delegations representing different walks of life when it became necessary to explain and promote national perspective. He demonstrated remarkable patience and sobriety in the face of sharp personal attacks but like other patriotic Pakistanis he firmly believes that it was disastrous to make national institutions controversial as these represent and reflect the strength of the State. It was in this backdrop that the State reacted swiftly and sharply when a conspiracy was hatched to belittle and defame the Pakistan Army. Arrest of the leader of a political party on corruption charges was purely a legal issue and should have been treated as such but workers of that party attacked Pakistan’s heritage and the pride of the security departments. Therefore, it was rightly decided to hold accountable all those who planned, supervised and carried out attacks on national symbols as no country worth the name can ignore mutiny against the State. It may, however, be pointed out that despite the horrific nature of the crime, no action against anybody was taken in haste. Cases have been registered on the basis of thorough investigations and undeniable technical evidence including social media posts (Facebook, X, WhatsApp and YouTube); Safe City cameras and video footage; and Geo fencing and Call Details Record (CDR) to guard against anything wrong against an innocent person. All this speaks volumes about the fair-minded approach of the Army leadership to an issue that is extremely sensitive.
It is also praiseworthy that the Army leadership is living up to its commitment of keeping the institution at a distance from political issues and situations. There are no complaints or reports from politicians or political parties of receiving anonymous calls and there is no semblance of any interference in the electoral process, which is being driven by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) as per ground realities and dictates of the law and the Constitution. The very fact that the issue relating to fixation of date for general elections was sorted out with the involvement of the Supreme Court also sent a strong message that Pakistan Army stood by its pledge of remaining apolitical.
As head of an institution, considered as custodian of the national defence and security, General Asim Munir is legitimately concerned over economic challenges facing the country. He, therefore, rightly decided to put the entire weight of the Pakistan Army behind policies and actions of the Government aimed at bringing the country back on track and accelerate the pace of growth and development. Economy of Pakistan had been suffering hugely since long because of the hemorrhage caused to it under the garb of the Afghan Transit Trade. This was known to all governments but they lacked the will and the courage to take the bull by horns. Credit goes to the incumbent Army Chief for employing his force in a way that contributed a lot in checking the smuggling on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. It is because of this effective crackdown that there is no shortage of essential goods in the country as against recurring shortages witnessed in the past and prices of food commodities have also come down.
Pakistan Army launched an all-encompassing operation against all sorts of terrorists but unfortunately there has been resurgence in terrorism ever since the Taliban took charge of power in Kabul. TTP elements, who fled Pakistan in the face of operations by the Pakistan Army, are enjoying safe havens in neighbouring Afghan districts. They are planning and carrying out attacks inside Pakistan using Afghan soil but the Taliban Government is giving cold shouldered response to repeated calls by Pakistan authorities to take firm action against them.
While initiating a renewed crackdown against terrorist elements, efforts are also being made to address some of the root causes of terrorism and security challenges. A well planned operation is underway to repatriate all illegal immigrants including Afghan nationals. The plan is being implemented firmly despite propaganda campaigns by local and foreign vested interests. This operation is expected to have a salutary impact on the overall law and order situation in Pakistan besides the overall economic environment.
Some mafias including dollar and gold mafias were operating with immunity since long manipulating the currency market and gold prices. Here again, credit goes to the Army Chief for throwing his support and assistance in curbing such illegal activities and as a result rupee dollar parity which surged to alarming Rs.315 a dollar a few months back is now almost stabilized at around Rs. 285 a dollar. An effective check on exchange rate manipulations has helped bring down prices of imports and raw materials for local production and even prices of vehicles and motor-cycles have been slashed, though not proportionate to the strength gained by rupee.
The recently created Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) is also instrumental in improving business and investment climate and attracting foreign investment in different sectors of the national economy. Recent agreements concluded with Gulf countries with the active support of the Army Chief augur well for the economy.
There are genuine expectations that the policies encouraged and the actions supported by the Army Chief would go a long way in stemming the economic rot and laying firm foundations for national progress and development.
