Our own media should try and neutralise the impact of the enemies’ psychological warfare and propaganda.
KARACHI: This is with reference to your editorial “Blowing bugles” (August 10) where you have correctly pointed out the after-effects of Gen Kayani’s statement in the recently-held corps commanders conference in GHQ Rawalpindi. This is not the first time that General Kayani has shown concern but having witnessed the aftershocks of his previous statement, it would have been in everybody’s interest to desist showing concern over civil matters. The time to show concern was when Karachi was bleeding and there was nobody to save the lives of innocent people from the target killers.
The corps commanders conference is primarily held to review overall security-related issues and the operational preparedness of the army. Information on this is then disseminated to the general public. Quite naturally, the army does not work in isolation and can show concern but this should remain with in the confines of GHQ. There is no point in making it public and unnecessarily attract criticism. The press is very vocal these days and so are many people, especially vested interests which are always looking to enter into a dispute with the military.
It is no secret that powerful and influential sections of the international media associated with US and western powers are waging a war against Pakistan, particularly its armed forces and the ISI. A segment of the local media also appears to have joined the anti-Pakistan propaganda clique and this is most unfortunate because all this will do is weaken the state.
The apprehension expressed in your editorial that the men in khaki have not relinquished powers for years is not correct because it is applicable only when there has been a military coup and not under the present situation. In the prevailing circumstances, the military would be called in aid of civil power under Article 245 of the Constitution, usually for a fixed period. Either way, law and order is a provincial subject and the army shouldn’t express concern in public and should wait and see if its help is sought.
Our own media should try and neutralise the impact of the enemies’ psychological warfare and propaganda.
Mukhtar Ahmed
Published in The Express Tribune, August 13th, 2011.
