The prestige of the world’s most powerful army was enhanced through the accountability of its generals.
ALLEN, TX, USA: The US is the sole superpower, not because of the generals of its powerful army, but because of the strength of its democracy, where laws prevail, not individuals. American military strength is a result of decades of research and development and an economy that is backed by an effective tax collection system. It is a country whose citizens, irrespective of them being politicians in power or serving generals, dare not violate laws or be seen serving their individual interests at the cost of the taxpayer.
Two four-star generals, one serving and another retired, are under scrutiny for adultery, which for ordinary Americans is considered a private matter but for those holding sensitive posts, it is a serious one. In sharp contrast, three retired Pakistani generals involved in the plunder of the Pakistan Railways were defiant instead of repentant. The prestige of the world’s most powerful army was enhanced through the accountability of its generals. The prestige of our armed forces should not be allowed to be compromised by greed and corruption of a few generals, who are devoid of any honour or dignity.
Rashid Orakzai
Published in The Express Tribune, November 17th, 2012.
