Adhering to professionalism
A controversy was initiated by the Indian army chief who in a reference to Pakistan said that India was prepared for “swift and short” wars in the future. Speaking at the same function to commemorate the 1965 war, Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar maintained that the war ended in a decisive victory for India. This led to a rejoinder from COAS Raheel Sharif who observed that Pakistan had repulsed the enemy’s attack and inflicted heavy losses on it. Further that it was fully able to respond to attacks whether on a small or large scale. A tit-for-tat apart, the two countries can ill afford to fight another war which would cause large scale human suffering and have devastating impact on their economies. Both need to ensure that there is no provocation from either side. To put an end to cross-border incidents on Working Boundary and international borders, the meeting between DG Rangers and IG BSF has to take place as scheduled. To maintain ceasefire on the LoC it should be followed by a meeting between the two DGMOs.
Pakistan army has earned the nation’s gratitude by breaking the terrorists’ back. There is also a significant improvement in law and order in Karachi and Balochistan. What still needs to be done is to concentrate on eliminating the extremist thinking that gives birth to terrorists and their abettors, financiers, sympathisers and facilitators. Gen Raheel Sharif would raise his stature further in the eyes of the common man if he is seen to be apolitical and keeps the army entirely professional. Only by adhering to professionalism can the army maintain a high state of preparedness and claim the title of the “best war force in the world” in an era characterised by stiff competition in military skills. To ensure that the country continues to be stronger and the nation is hopeful rather than cynical, there is a need to strengthen not only the army but also the civilian institutions thus bolstering the system.