The army better learn to accept criticism, and do so without calling the patriotism of a citizen into question.
ISLAMABAD: This is with reference to your report of June 10 titled “Responding to critics: Divert military aid to economy, says Kayani”. The army is part of the state and they should really not be giving direct briefings to the press on issues of any sort. As for the point in the statement that the military was “being made the target of a smear campaign by some quarters” and that the ultimate aim of this was to “drive a wedge between the military and the civilian government”, may I say that this is appreciated by this mere citizen. There is no “smear” campaign — as citizens we have the right to express our views on the non-performance of our armed forces. We will speak out and criticise the army if we believe it deserves the criticism — they had better learn to accept criticism, and do so without calling the patriotism of a citizen into question.
Shayan Afzal Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, June 13th, 2011.
