How professional armies function
Gen Raheel Sharif will be remembered as a professional soldier, a talented strategist and a courageous military leader. Most of all he will be admired as a general who had no political ambitions. Possessing all these qualities he stands head and shoulders above most of his predecessors. His refusal to accept an extension in service beyond the normal tenure is indicative of his confidence in the army as an institution being capable of continuing his legacy. As he made the announcement which was quite unusual, cynics predicted that it was meant to evoke a sympathy wave that could be used as a justification to revise the position he had taken. Keeping in view his past record the allegation was preposterous.
Banners have reappeared in Islamabad, Lahore and a number of other cities calling on the COAS to revise his decision. A hitherto unknown entity with the name of “Move on Pakistan” claims to have put up the banners. These are either misguided friends or tools in the hands of vested interest. We are confident that the general would react to the call with the disdain that it deserves. Gen Raheel Sharif comes from a family of true soldiers motivated by patriotism who have made supreme sacrifices for the country. The general has himself emerged as an iconic figure during his tenure as COAS. An extension for a year or two would be no feather in his cap.
Pakistan army is a highly professional institution as long as it remains untainted with politics. Its senior commanders attain their position after passing through a rigorous system of selection. Retirement of prestigious and charismatic military figures, sometime in the midst of wars, is a matter of routine in professional armies. There should be no doubt that the present COAS will be replaced by a capable successor and the operation against terrorists and the implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) will continue with the same commitment.