General Raheel Sharif’s 6th September speech is just what the nation wanted to hear from the civilian Sharif. Here is the General who looks into the Indians’ eyes and warns them that “if the enemy ever resorts to any misadventure, regardless of its size and scale, it will have to pay an unbearable cost.” He further challenges Modi and his generals, “Whether it is cold start or hot start. We are ready.”
Even the Kashmiris are jubilant, for after a long time they hear a firm and clear resolve from Pakistan, and that, too, from the Army Chief. “The issue can no longer be put on the back burner. The time has come that Kashmir issue should be resolved in line with the aspirations of its people in accordance with UN resolutions.”
Having studied Raheel Sharif (RS) very closely (though have never met or served with him) ever since he became Army Chief on November 28, 2013, many questions besiege me. What makes RS so different from his predecessors? How has he won the hearts and minds of common Pakistanis? Why is he rated as Pakistan’s most popular personality even embarrassing Imran Khan? Why do people look towards him, not just as Army Chief but as their leader and savior?
We are all witness to how he transformed a demoralized nation that seemed to be losing the war against terrorists and militants, into a nation that has regained its confidence, self respect and hope for a better future. Whether in Karachi, Balochistan or Operation Zarb-e-Azab in FATA, the nation is winning this war against Indian backed proxies and Raheel Sharif’s inspiring leadership made the difference.
Pakistan Army’s hard-hitting response to Indian aggression on LOC/ Working Boundary is just what Pakistanis want. Sometimes I wonder if Americans would have dared to carry out May 2, 2011 Abbottabad raid or November 27, 2011 Salalah attack had RS been in command.
Pakistanis seem to not only like but also adore him as is evident from huge RS billboards that adorn the roads and squares in many cities. We hear calls for his promotion to rank of Field Marshal. Some say he has divine support to play an even bigger role for Pakistan.
But in the true sense, Pakistanis find in him those qualities that they yearned for but found them grossly lacking in other traditional leaders. Pakistanis are impressed by his honesty, truthfulness and are convinced he will not compromise national interests at any cost. He has no assets or bank accounts abroad. There is no contradiction in his words and actions.
RS communicates with common people through feeling the pain and sharing the sorrows of families of terror victims anywhere in the country. Is usually the first to reach any city struck by major terrorist acts. Is present at namaz-e-janaza of the martyrs and frequently visits hospitals to comfort civilians injured by Indian firing on LOC/Sialkot working Boundary.
Pakistanis were awestruck how he responded to APS Peshawar tragedy, how he rallied the political leadership together that renewed the nation’s will and determination to bring all terrorists as well as their abettors, facilitators and sympathizers to justice.
He frequently attends Apex committee meetings to push through hard the National Action Plan, does not buckle under any form of pressure having first called Altaf Hussain’s bluff and later also Zardari’s bluff in Karachi.
The people of Karachi gained freedom from Altaf Hussain’s fear and terror. MQM and PPP/Zardari sponsored mafias and militants’ networks stand disrupted and on verge of total elimination. The noose is being tightened around Zardari’s frontmen and corrupt Sindh Government officials. Karachites expressed their gratitude with mass celebrations on Eid ul Fitr, 14th August and 6th September this year.
Today the writ of state stands restored to a great extent in Balochistan where a sound political cum military strategy has broken the back of foreign sponsored Baloch insurgency. What was unimaginable few years ago is now becoming a reality.
While some rebel Baloch commanders and their armed followers have surrendered, even diehard anti Pakistan Baloch leaders settled abroad are ready to give up their demand for secession and settle their differences through dialogue and return to mainstream politics within federation.
Despite Gen Raheel Sharif’s all round successes, there are concerns that things may not be really moving at speed in certain areas that the nation desires. Although the Supreme Court validated the 21st Amendment and hence the special military courts, the desired effect has yet to be achieved.
If hard core terrorists awarded death sentences by military courts gain time through prolonged appeals and indefinite stays from higher courts, then the spirit of speedy justice and punishments in such cases will be lost. Not one such terrorist including those convicted in April by military court have gone to the gallows this year. There should be some definite time frame for deciding on appeals/reviews of military court verdicts.
Even in Karachi where hundreds of target killers and terrorists in Rangers/police custody are awaiting trials, there seems to be little progress towards their prosecution in Anti Terrorism Courts (ATCs). We have yet to hear about any worthwhile conviction by ATCs since Karachi operation was launched two years ago. The Baldia factory case, too, is taking too long to move towards a logical conclusion. If terrorists are to be defeated then our prosecution and judicial system must also gear up to respond to these extraordinary challenges.
If there is confirmed element of money laundering/terror financing in Ayyan Ali case then why is her indictment being delayed? If ISI is reportedly a party to investigations in this case then nation must know the details soon. Dr Asim was a big catch but why are NAB or FIA going slow in netting the other big fish in Sindh or those involved in many mega corruption scams? Why are these organizations not active in other provinces especially in Punjab?
Whether Raheel Sharif has divine support or not, Pakistanis are convinced he will not succumb to any foreign or internal political pressure to slow down the Karachi operation. They believe he has ample time to eliminate terrorism and force implementation of National Action plan in letter and spirit. They also expect that corrupt elite will be nabbed and looted money recovered during his remaining period in office.