PACES belies Pakistan’s isolation 

Hope on the horizon? 

History was created when Pakistan Army hosted the first ever international PACES (Physical Agility and Combat Efficiency System) Competition-2016. The six day event kicked off amidst a graceful opening ceremony at the Ayub Stadium in the city of Lahore.  The 6-day entertaining activities brought cheer to the people of Lahore in particular and Pakistan in general, because the masses are starved for sporting and other entertaining events involving foreign participation. Ever since the dastardly attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in 2009, international teams had stopped visiting Pakistan, forcing the country to host events on neutral grounds outside Pakistan.

In the near past, India had machinated to isolate Pakistan and had taken a number of dubious steps both diplomatically and through the orchestration of false flag operations, to paint Pakistan as being involved in state terrorism. India boycotted the SAARC Summit being hosted by Islamabad and coerced Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka to follow suit.

India also tried to convince Russia to call off its joint military exercise with Pakistan but the Russians refused to be manipulated by their erstwhile strategic ally. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while hosting the BRICS Summit at Goa, desperately tried to garner support of the other members of BRICS: Brazil, China, Russia and South Africa to impose sanctions against Pakistan and two Pakistani religious groups Jaish-e-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Toiba. Modi had to eat a humble pie, when China blocked the move; Russia looked the other way while Brazil and South Africa remained indifferent. In fact it was India which became isolated at the BRICS Summit and its own media chastised it for the snub which Modi had to suffer on home turf.

Other Indian efforts to single Pakistan out for punitive action, have also met with firewalls and come to naught. Moving two US Congressmen to table bills to have Pakistan declared a terrorist state, various online petitions in the US and UK were also blocked by the respective institutions.

Efforts to bar Pakistani artistes, sportspersons and intellectuals from participating in events on Indian soil, have also been successfully thwarted by tit for tat actions by Pakistan.

PACES disproved the allegation that it is unsafe to host events in Pakistan. Pakistan Army deserves kudos for organising the successful event and also for being declared the Champions of the First International PACES Competition-2016. The lively and brave hearted people of Lahore too deserve special mention for extending their traditional hospitality to the participants. Most importantly, the countries that participated in PACES must be appreciated for their sense of bravado and camaraderie, which they displayed throughout the event.

Sportsmen and athletes from other foreign countries’ armies, who took part in PACES-2016, include participants from Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, China, Indonesia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Maldives, Nepal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the US brought cheer to the people of Pakistan, when they paraded at the opening ceremony. The most impressive and heart-rending gesture was demonstrated by Chinese and Turkish soldiers for lasting friendship with Pakistan holding their own and Pakistani flags during the march past.

Pakistan Army’s regimental troupes, representing all provinces of Pakistan including Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Jammu Kashmir presented traditional folk dances on the tune of famous regional songs and a spectacular demonstration by the Pakistan Army band, which won applause from the audience and the participants from other countries.

Prior to the commencement of the PACES, the visiting teams were introduced to the historic city of Lahore. Their tour itinerary included a visit the mausoleum of the Poet of the East, Allama Iqbal, Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort, where they were accorded a warm welcome upon their arrival, and were briefed about the contribution and work of Iqbal. After paying homage to the great poet, the visitors went on to see the historic mosque built by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, and took a beautiful view of the Minar-e-Pakistan (a venue where Lahore Resolution was passed) from the balconies of the Badshahi mosque. Their city tour concluded with the splendid demonstration by the smart jawans of the Rangers during the flag ceremony parade at the Wagah border. The visitors were visibly thrilled by the calisthenics and well choreographed drill movements of the Rangers. Motivated by the flag lowering ceremony, the Australian cricket team demonstrated its own dance, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all the visitors. Ironically, on 2 November 2014, a suicide bomber had taken a heavy toll of 60 precious lives through a dastardly attack on the venue. Wagah border presented a totally different view now—much safer than before—because the miscreants are on the run following the military operation Zarb-e-Azb.

PACES, a new regime of physical training, was introduced in Pakistan Army in 2010 and during these six years it contributed marvelously in enhancing physical fitness, combat efficiency, competitive spirit and sports culture among all ranks of Pakistan Army. Physical fitness and strength of body muscles are the hallmark in the profession of Arms as all their training activities revolve around combat environment in line with the fundamental traits of physical strength and endurance. The PACES competition included pushups, sit-ups, and a marathon and combat efficiency test. Army cricket teams from different countries also participated in the competition.

First International PACES Competition-2016 concluded amid a grand and graceful ceremony at the Fortress Stadium. Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif was the chief guest who also distributed prizes amongst the athletes.
Addressing a packed to capacity house at the Fortress Stadium General Raheel Sharif thanked the participating Army teams for their visit. He stressed that today Pakistan stands more integrated with rest of the world than ever before with such events as a fine example.
Referring to Zarb-e-Azb General Raheel elucidated that it is an example of War and Peace which is bringing stability and prosperity to Pakistan and the region. He stressed that now Pakistan’s brave men and women can tell the world with pride that they are eliminating terrorist networks from the far reaches of Pakistan-Afghan border. Pakistan’s success against terrorism owes immensely to the physical strength and mental robustness of the officers and men of its armed forces. This coupled with sincerity of purpose and clear direction contributed heavily towards fortifying their will and morale during intense and demanding operations.

The successful hosting of PACES has been much to the chagrin of India. In a fit of frustration, India is incessantly violating the ceasefire at the LOC and the working boundary. It is regularly causing loss of precious human lives and tormenting its western neighbour but to add insult to injury, it claims that Pakistan is the aggressor. On Indian Independence Day 2016, Narendra Modi declared solidarity with the Baloch separatists. After the arrest of RAW senior terrorist Commander Kulbhoshan Yadav, Indian plans to destabilise Balochistan were foiled but appear to have taken on a fresh impetus with the reprehensible assault on the Police Training Center at Quetta on October 24/25 which took a heavy toll of human lives.

Whereas the nation rejoices at the advent of PACES and appreciates the valiant efforts of the armed forces and law enforcing agencies in tackling the heinous malady, yet it will require a Herculean effort to eradicate terrorism from Pakistan. Every law abiding citizen of Pakistan will have to chip in to exterminate the scourge of terrorism. The masses, opinion builders, religious leaders, politicians and the armed forces have to join hands if Pakistan is to slay the ten headed hydra of terrorism.