Apropos to your news item (14 Jan) that states that the former defence secretary will challenge his sacking. It is so strange that when the defence minister sought an explanation from the defence secretary he submitted that he was new to the job and was ignorant of the rules. The officer retired as Lt General and he should be clear that anything that goes to higher authorities has to be routed through proper channel.
No officer can approach directly to the COAS or for that matter any senior commander without observing normal chain of command and if any one does that, he violates the provisions of the law and is punished accordingly. The general’s reply to defence minister carries no weight in matter and substance. In any case, his plea is not maintainable.
The fact of the matter is that army has ruled this country for a decade and when not ruling indirectly yielded its pressure on the civilian government and therefore it will take time to reconcile with civilian supremacy. This on-going war must come to end soon; otherwise, it will shake the foundation of the state and may cause damage beyond repair.
MUKHTAR AHMED
Karachi
