DURING his wide-ranging press conference, Director-General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major-General Babar Iftikhar spoke about various issues concerning internal and external security and his firm, categorical and argumentative presentation has come as a morale booster for people of Pakistan. He not only conveyed an unequivocal message to India in the backdrop of provocative statements and jingoistic moves but also gave a convincing version of a number of security and defence-related moves of the country.
India has long been on a military shopping spree and unfortunately most of the arms suppliers are selling every conceivable item and transferring latest technology without any regard for negative impact of such deals on regional security or threat to the territorial integrity of smaller neighbours of India. Sale of Rafale jets by France is latest example of sharpening of military teeth by New Delhi but General Babar has rightly pointed out that Pakistan has the capability to respond to any threat to its security. This was effectively demonstrated by our armed forces in the past and they are capable of delivering as per expectations of the nation as it is the spirit that matter more than material superiority. However, such sales, which affect the conventional balance, prove that Pakistan’s policy of maintaining an effective deterrence is need of the hour as the country cannot afford to enter into an arms race because of its financial and economic constraints. The DG, ISPR also highlighted Pakistan’s role in facilitating the process of national reconciliation in Afghanistan hoping that these efforts would bear fruit soon. He also drew attention to a perennial problem facing Pakistan i.e. presence of large number of Afghan refugees on our soil with socio-economic implications and that is why he called for “a gradual, time-bound and adequately resourced refugee return programme for dignified repatriation of Afghan refugees within the earliest possible time-frame facilitated duly by all stakeholders.” Details given by him about Pakistan’s gains in ‘Radd-ul-Fasad’ operation should also serve as a clear warning to local elements and their foreign masters that are once again trying to ignite the fire of terrorism in sensitive parts of the country. It is satisfying that the military leadership was fully alive to the issue and taking required measures to foil designs of the enemy. As highlighted by General Babar, Pakistan Army was, indeed, doing a tremendous job in facilitating the overall government strategy of putting Balochistan on the path of progress and development. Apart from keeping a strict vigil on activities of forces inimical to Pakistan, it is also undertaking a number of projects especially in the realm of health and education as part of the efforts to take people of Balochistan out of vicious cycle of ignorance and poverty.
