No need when tensions can be done away with amicably
Speaking on the Martyrs’ Day Gen Raheel Sharif spelled out his support for a stable democracy and supremacy of constitution. “This is the only way to cement our place among the developed nations,” he said. The statement was widely appreciated, all the more so because it had come amidst the much hyped Geo TV affair.
The ISPR had denied the allegation levelled by Geo TV against the ISI chief, condemned the attack on Hamid Mir and called for an inquiry. The demand was accepted without delay. A high level judicial commission is now looking into the circumstances surrounding the attack on the Geo’s anchor. Simultaneously the defence ministry lodged a complaint with PEMRA, seeking revocation of the license of the Geo TV and prosecution of its editorial and management teams for bringing the ISI into disrepute. One expects the parties to the case to wait for the judicial commission to complete its enquiry and the PEMRA to act in accordance with the law.
There is meanwhile no justification for resorting to street protests either for or against any of the two sides. What is happening, however, is quite the opposite. Certain groups and parties with their own narrow agendas have jumped into the fray as self-styled defenders of the honour of the army and ISI. The Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) is using the issue to further its anti-India and anti-US agenda. A perception is being created that the government has somehow or the other sold itself out to both countries. While Pakistan has serious differences with India and its relations with the US have remained problematic, the issues have to be settled through diplomacy rather than through the street power. There is no possibility of any government going against the national interest in the presence of the parliament and a vibrant media. No elected government would however take dictation from mobsters either.
As far as the army’s position is concerned the COAS has made it amply clear in the Martyrs’ Day speech, calling Kashmir “the jugular vein of Pakistan”, while stressing the need to settle the dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. This, the army chief insisted, was essential to ensure lasting peace in the region. The problem with some, however, is that they simply do not want peace in the region.
The PML-Q has used the Geo issue as a stick to beat the PML-N with and to portray Musharraf as a man more sinned against than sinning. Tahirul Qadri’s party is preparing to give its annual jolt to the system on May 11. Last year Qadri wanted electoral reforms, this year his party is to hold rallies against polls rigging that it maintains happened last year. Support to army is to serve as an add-on.
I get confused sometimes when I read articles about people supporting their army.
To my knowledge a country exists on 4 dimensions. 1. Constitution 2. Judicial law 3. Parliamentary rule 4. It’s national and international defence capability ( army ). Now, for any1 to be a law abiding citizen let alone patriot we must understand and accept the above without hesitation or question. If not, we are traitors to our own nation. And should self exile. The problem in Pakistan is the above four institutions have been in power struggles with each other since pakistans inception. Confusing the masses. What we need is the above to first co operate with each other. And then I feel they will find a public united not divided between army, government, law society and the writ ( constitution ). Together we stand. Divided we fall.
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