Pakistan has since the day of her creation been under the shadow of existential threats from her own eastern neighbor. India both in terms of size of population and geography is much bigger than Pakistan. So, it has never been so simple to deal with a high-headed yet powerful neighbor like India.
Pakistan, because of such serious threats regarding her survival, has to spend a considerable part of its budget on its military and other defence related activities to protect its borders and citizens. India and other world and regional powers have also been active in initiating and supporting anti-Pakistan activities within the country to destabilize the country.
There is no need for rocket science to understand the dynamics of politics and security related issues in Pakistan. The aforementioned existential threat from a powerful neighbor, yet an enemy, compelled Pakistan army to play extra-special role in the security related issues of the country. As a matter of simple argument, it is not the business of incompetent and self-interested political elite to understand, define and determine the security related policies in a complex world of the 21st century.
Even so, Army’s active role in Pakistani politics, whether due to the incompetence of our political elite or down to its own will as an institution, raises so many questions.
Interestingly, in Pakistan a narrative has been shaped that all the evil in Pakistan is due to its military’s high-headedness, and all the people who have been killed from the fall of Dhaka in 1971 to Bacha Khan University last week, are directly of indirectly the fault of Pakistan army and Inter-Services Intelligence(ISI).
This seems illogical at best. So, to me, it will be only wastage of time to respond to unsubstantiated allegations against Pakistan army and ISI. Right now it is the moment to praise army as an institution after Chief of Army staff General Raheel Sharif has stated he will retire on his time.
Lieutenant General Asim Saleem Bajwa tweeted the announcement in a very interesting way:
Speculations about extension in service of COAS are baseless.COAS said;"Pakistan Army is a great institution.I dont believe in extension-1/3
— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 25, 2016
and will retire on the due date.Efforts to route out terrorism will continue with full vigor and resolve-2/3
— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 25, 2016
Pakistan's national interest is supreme and will be safe guarded at all costs."-3/3
— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 25, 2016
Raheel Sharif is the person who truly represented the army as institution. I shouldn’t write about General Raheel’s achievements and his role in re-stabilizing and reforming fragmented Pakistani nation here because of three reasons. One, media - both international and local - has recognized, admired and praised General Raheel’s popularity across the country and commitment to his job. Two, politicians too have publically admired his wisdom, honesty and sincerity that he has for his country. Three, Pakistanis do admire their Army Chief, appreciate his polices and pray for him.
The point which I want to make here is simple: Pakistan army as institution and General Raheel as a representative of that institution have demonstrated once again that nothing matters to them except Pakistan and its people. We welcome his decision regarding his retirement on time.
I am pretty sure this decision will definitely be something really “unusual” for all those who always think that generals come to rule along with their institution. The decision has proven many wrong, yet it pleased so many who may be thinking right now that they will be “free” once again.
Being a Pakistani, I must say, Thank You Raheel Sharif. Thank you for everything you have done for us.
We salute you my dear soldier! May Allah always bless you!