–COAS tells young cadets to shift perspective from security to development
–Says single indiscretion can create embarrassment in the era of social media
KARACHI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday said that Pakistan supports Afghan-led and Afghan-owned plan to help bring lasting peace in the neighbouring state, according to a statement released by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The army chief was speaking at the passing out parade of 110th Midshipmen and 19th Short Service Course held at Naval Academy, Karachi. On this occasion, he said: “The new government has extended a hand of peace and friendship towards India with utmost sincerity but it should not be taken as our weakness, peace benefits everybody. It is time to fight against hunger, disease and illiteracy than to fight against each other.”
COAS Bajwa said that wars bring death, destruction and misery for the people. Ultimately, all issues are resolved on the table through negotiations, he added.
He said that the relative peace present in the country today has been achieved after tremendous sacrifices by the nation to restore order.
“It is now our duty to honour their sacrifice through display of ‘Unity, Faith and Discipline’ in everything that we do. Let us all start the transition from conflict to progress, through commitment to the ideals of Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam. This is the minimum that we can do for our beautiful country,” he said.
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‘DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE’:
The army chief said that the country’s young cadets should take the nation along the lines of developmental perspective than a security perspective.
Addressing the cadets, he said, “We want you to emerge from a security perspective to a development perspective; therefore, join hands to take Pakistan forward.”
“Survival in the difficult times has given us the confidence that we have the will and capacity to endure. Nobody can threaten us or our freedom. It is time we fulfill our dreams and make Pakistan a great country,” he noted.
COAS Bajwa reminded the cadets that the country is yet to get out from terrorism and an unannounced war.
“Like the terrorists before; the protagonists of the new threats are at times, our own people. Mostly misguided by ambitions, blinded by hate, ethnicity or religion or simply overawed by social media onslaught, some of our own boys and girls readily fall victim to such dangerous or hostile narratives,” he added.
“The response to such onslaughts or threats cannot always be kinetic in nature.
“You will have to deal with them in the cognitive domain by producing or propagating a superior narrative, but this can only happen if you have developed the ability to handle unwarranted criticism with patience and possess better intellectual skills to respond to such threats with logic and reasoning,” he stated.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
The army chief further advised the young soldiers to be vigilant in the era of social media as a single indiscretion can create embarrassment.
He said, “Your behavior and dealings must, therefore, be exemplary at all times and a model for those whom you lead. This is particularly apt in the era of social media, where a single indiscretion or lapse of judgment can create huge embarrassment for you and your unit.”
“Your conduct, professionalism and every action will be watched closely and is emulated by them,” he advised.
The COAS reviewed the parade and gave away prizes to distinguish performers.