In the previous decade, when the politics of sit-ins and marches were on the rise, Allama Tahirul Qadri raised the slogan of saving the state, not politics. At that time, Imran Khan and Allama Qadri were like brothers. This was considered a political slogan, and it was said that it was being raised on someone’s instructions. Imran Khan came into power, and Allama Qadri went to Canada, and the voice of this slogan was also silenced. Politics continued to rise and slogans kept changing, but it seems that the time has come again to raise the slogan of saving the state, not politics. Let’s see which group and leader will raise this slogan now. In reality, this is a critical time for the state, and all institutions of our country, including the military, need to play their role in saving the state. Above all, the true heirs of Pakistan, the people, have to play their part.
I remember all these things after the recent press conference of DG ISPR Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry. Unfortunately, today criticism is being levelled against important officials of institutions like the Pakistan Army for political purposes, which is not a good thing. However, the central leadership that has stopped this criticism belongs to the same government that is continuously criticizing the heads of other institutions including the former and present supreme court chiefs and judges. It is essential to end this cycle; otherwise, if state institutions become weak, the state will not remain stable. The spokesperson of the armed forces, in his press briefing, shed light on the professional activities of the Pakistani Armed Forces, the country’s political affairs, and the recent measures taken against terrorism.
They stated an important point, that the military has a constitutional relationship with the government and should not be given a political colour. All political parties are respectable to the military, and the military is not inclined toward any particular party or ideology. Their point is valid that the personal actions or behaviour of any individual in the military cannot be used to forget the sacrifices of the rest of the officers and soldiers of the Pakistani military. Criticizing the Pakistani Army in such situations serves the purpose of giving opportunities to enemies of Pakistan and India, which must be avoided. Along with this, the ISPR should also continue to give a transparent position on various issues, so that no one gets a chance to point fingers at them.
The army is the guarantor of the geographical borders of any country, and it assists in maintaining both internal and external peace, as well as safeguarding geographical and ideological boundaries. Our armed forces have fulfilled their professional responsibilities with skill and courage in all circumstances to ensure national security and unity. To achieve this goal, the officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army have made unparalleled sacrifices and written history.
It is impossible to fully comprehend the sacrifices, martyrdom, hard work, and dedication of the armed forces toward the country and the nation. Take a look at Pakistan’s largest city, where the officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army have been stationed to provide security and protect the city from the mafia, and their achievements can be described in golden words. Karachi, once called the bride of the country, was plunged into darkness for a while. People were kidnapped for ransom, bodies were found in sacks, private torture cells were used to commit brutal violence against opponents, and the city was divided into factions, with one piece called “No-Go Areas” for someone, while the other was called “No-Go Areas” for someone else. Paying extortion money was a necessary evil for doing business or constructing buildings. But the young officers and soldiers of the Pakistan army worked day and night to restore the city’s glory and brightness. The city of Quaid, which was known for its business-friendly environment, has been made more conducive for businesses by the army officers and soldiers. Due to the sacrifices of these military officers and soldiers, the city with a population of over 20 million has now breathed a sigh of relief.
A group of people in Balochistan were also a threat to the state, carrying out killings, looting, bloodshed, bombings, and killing people from other provinces one by one. Even today, these people are busy with their nefarious activities. As a result, security forces officers and soldiers are sacrificing their lives for the country, but the people of Balochistan sleep soundly at night, especially in the KP-administered areas that are particularly affected. A few months ago, this area was a hotbed of terrorism, but today it has been largely cleared of terrorists and terrorism. This is due to the sacrifices made by armed forces officers and soldiers, who have given their lives to free the area from the clutches of terrorists.
The spokesperson of the Pakistan Army has stated that following the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan, a total of 436 small and large terrorist incidents occurred in the Afghanistan and Pakistan border areas as a result of the changes taking place there. During the past year, security forces carried out 8,269 small and large intelligence-based operations against terrorists and their facilitators. Due to the sacrifices of the people and the armed forces of Pakistan, there is no more new sanctuary for terrorists in the country.
During the course of these operations last year, 137 officers and soldiers embraced martyrdom while 117 officers and soldiers were injured. The entire nation pays tribute to these brave soldiers and their families who have sacrificed their lives for the security and peace of the country. DG ISPR has rightly said that in the current situation, national consensus should be the priority. Martial law and emergency are mere assumptions. Criticizing Pakistan’s armed forces and institutions on media and social media is not only irresponsible but also unconstitutional. There are some personal and political motives behind it. His words are correct, but in this regard, we all have to play our individual and social roles. The government, judiciary, army, administration, and people have to work together to make Pakistan a happy and peaceful country. Every Pakistani should have this theory of life and determination. The biggest obstacle in the way of national development and public happiness is our selfishness, personal desires, greed for wealth, and desire for power. The armed forces have bravely faced internal and external threats, without hesitation to sacrifice their lives for their beloved homeland. It is this same spirit that is required today from every citizen and institution to awaken the passion within themselves. If we all understood our national duty and focus on countering terrorism and promoting patriotism, we could have achieved success in a short time with sacrifices. All institutions should make themselves Pakistani instead of focusing on their own politics, and fulfill their role in saving the state. Instead of accumulating foreign wealth, we should repay the debt of our land. Only then we can become a strong and prosperous nation.
