It is perhaps a tradition of the South Asian region that people here are always eager to welcome any change and alteration; this attitude might be due to their dissatisfaction or discontentment with the circumstances around them or the everlasting feeling of uncertainty which has become a part of their fate. But when we talk about the military set-up, particularly the military set-up of Pakistan, we find things altogether different in this context. People in the army welcome a change but it is not the result of any discontentment or dissatisfaction. They accept coming and going of their fellow officers and soldiers as a part of system and as a matter of routine. However some of their fellows always remain an integral part of their memories on the basis of their professional competence, devotion to duty, loyalty to country and their commitment to national cause. The out-going ISI chief General Ahmed Shuja Pasha is also one of those who will always be remembered as a beacon of patriotism and a symbol of loyalty and devotion to country. No doubt he would always be remembered as a role model for Pakistani men in uniform. His golden period of serving the Pakistan army would be an example for those who desire to remain persistent in their approach to guard the national interests at all costs. It is something very strange that the time General Pasha spent as the head of Pakistan’s supreme intelligence agency ISI remained full of trials and turmoil not only for the ISI but also for the whole nation. The environment in his tenure as the Chief of ISI was filled with international intrigues, wicked schemes and conspiracies against Pakistan Army, the ISI and the state of Pakistan but he proved himself a dauntless and unbendable soldier in these extra-ordinary harsh circumstances. He did all his best to ensure proper monitoring of CIA and FBI agents who were in a habit of entering into Pakistan without any check and balance. It was the result of his careful efforts; the CIA spies working in the garb of trainers at police College Sihala near Kahuta Nuclear Plant were pushed out of such sensitive area and were ultimately sent back to USA. His exemplary co-operation and his services for the promotion and stability of democracy have already won laurels from all sections of society. The General deserves a salute of honour from the whole nation.
PROFESSOR ALI SUKHANVER,
Multan, March 13.