Army chief hits out at detractors of agencies

Some elements trying to create mistrust in nation towards security, intelligence agencies: Gen Raheel

ISLAMABAD: Hitting out at those who question the role of security and intelligence agencies in the war against terrorism, army chief General Raheel Sharif urged all stakeholders on Tuesday to play their role in taking the ongoing fight against terrorism to a logical end.

Speaking at an event organised at the GHQ in connection with Defence Day, the army chief said some elements were trying to create an atmosphere of mistrust in the nation towards security and intelligence agencies.

This is happening at a time when army and law enforcement personnel are putting their lives at stake to curb facilitators, abettors, financiers
and sympathisers of the enemy, he added. “Despite all these misgivings and accusations, our morale remains high.”

His pointed remarks appear to be a rejoinder to recent criticism by some federal lawmakers about the role of the intelligence agencies following the August 8 Quetta hospital bombing.

The event at the GHQ was attended by leader of the opposition Khursheed Shah, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and a number of serving and retired military officials. In a 30-minute speech, Gen Raheel spoke on internal challenges, ongoing unrest in Indian-controlled Kashmir, current Afghan situation as well as importance of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

Paying tribute to the martyrs of the 1965 war, the army chief said Defence Day was a glorious chapter in the national history which, according to him, bestowed a new determination and unity. “The supreme valour of the men and officers of Pakistan’s army, air force, and navy has made this day the most distinguished day in the history of Pakistani nation,” he added.

Years later, this day had also become the emblem of the sacrifices, steadfastness, and bravery of all those martyrs and heroes who successfully stood up to such enormous challenges as Operation Zarb-e-Azb and a decade-long war against terror. “I want to make it clear to all enemies of Pakistan that Pakistan has always been strong and today it is invincible,” he said.

Turning towards the war on terror, Gen Raheel said for the past few years, Pakistan was faced with the menace of terrorism and an unconventional war in which the nation and the armed forces had rendered countless sacrifices side by side.

“While terrorism has crumbled many countries around the world, Pakistan, by the grace of Allah Almighty, has valiantly fought these challenges,” he said. “A few years ago, we were faced with terrorist attacks almost on a daily basis. No part of the country, including defence installations, was beyond the enemy’s reach,” he said, adding that the writ of the state had practically ended in many parts of the country.

According to him, North Waziristan had become a hotbed of terrorists. Doubts and misgivings about the war on terrorism were common in many circles. “But, as chief of army staff, I held full faith in the capabilities and resolve of the armed forces of Pakistan. It was this faith that encouraged us to launch Operation Zarb-e-Azb.”

“We named Operation Zarb-e-Azb after the sword of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) so that we would be guided on every step by the edicts of Allah Almighty and the examples of the Holy Prophet (pbuh),” he said. “This sword can only be raised for the protection of the oppressed and the innocent and to eradicate evil and disorder from the land.”

The army chief said the indiscriminate operation against terrorists that started two years ago had attained its laid down military objectives. “And today, the green banner flutters proudly over all parts of our dear homeland.”

Since the start of Operation Zarb-e-Azb, security forces had undertaken over 19,000 operations across the length and breadth of the country to overcome terrorism. “In this long voyage of success, Pakistan Army has been aided by invaluable sacrifices rendered by the Rangers, Frontier Corps, police and Levies. Our Intelligence agencies have played a vital role in these achievements.”

The army chief said the success of Operation Zarb-e-Azb results from unparalleled tri-services cooperation. Pakistan Air Force had especially worked in close harmony with Pakistan Army at every stage of this operation. “This mutual harmony of the armed forces is our treasured asset.”

During the war on terrorism, almost 18,000 innocent citizens and 5,000 officers and soldiers of the armed forces have laid down their lives while over 48,000 Pakistanis have suffered serious injuries, he informed the audience.

“We shall not allow the sacrifices of our martyrs to go in vain. Operation Zarb-e-Azb might be just another military offensive for the world, but for us, it is the war of survival for our homeland. We shall not hesitate from going to any extent to ensure our national security.”

“I realise that our brave tribals have borne the hardships of leaving their homes for the sake of peace. Pakistan Army is vigorously engaged in all the projects for a better and brighter future for TDPs and their coming generations. God willing, the repatriation process for the TDPs will also be concluded soon.”

While acknowledging the accomplishments made during last two years in the fight against terrorism, Gen Raheel said internal and external threats to peace had yet not ended.

“For a lasting peace, it is necessary to ensure countrywide implementation of the National Action Plan, formed out of the collective wisdom of the nation, in its true letter and spirit,” he stressed. “Scholars, intellectuals and media must propagate the peaceful and universal message of Islam in order to eradicate the negative notions of extremism.”

He also called for removing weaknesses in the criminal justice system that, according to him, impede eradication of terrorism. “The evil nexus of heinous crimes, corruption and terrorism is a great impediment to achieving complete peace and is a cause of social unrest. Effective and far-reaching reforms are needed to break this nexus,” he added.

He insisted that for the operation to yield its full dividends, all stakeholders and institutions of state must play their respective roles with utmost sincerity and commitment.

On the current unrest in Indian-controlled Kashmir, the army chief said Pakistan salute the great sacrifices of the people of the region for their right to self-determination. “The oppressed people of occupied Kashmir are once again suffering the worst form of state terrorism and repression for demanding their due rights.”

He said the true solution for this struggle for right to self-determination resides not in raining bullets upon the defenceless Kashmiri people but in heeding their voice and respecting their aspirations. “The Kashmir issue can only be resolved by implementing the UN resolutions.”

“Kashmir is our lifeline, and we shall continue our diplomatic and moral support to the freedom movement at all levels,” he said.

He said Pakistan was fully aware of all “covert and overt intrigues and intentions of our enemies”. “Be the challenge military or diplomatic, be the danger on borders or within our cities, we know our friends and foes all too well,” he said. “We know well how to abide by bonds of friendship and how to avenge upon our enemies.”

Talking about Afghanistan, the army chief said Pakistan was sincerely and actively playing its role for peace in the war-torn country. “But some self-seeking quarters that are definitely not sincere towards Afghanistan, are obstructing these efforts,” he said. “I bear upon such elements that Afghanistan is our neighbour and brother Islamic country. Peace and stability there is vital to Pakistan’s own interest.”

He said better management of international border between the two countries now took precedence in ‘our national interest’. “We want to establish an effective border management mechanism in concert with the Afghan government. I am certain that a better peace environment will lead to our shared economic progress.”

He said Pakistan desires peaceful relations with all its neighbours but the fact could never be overlooked that true assurance of peace in the region was the balance of power.

“Despite all external machinations and instigations, we are ever prepared for the defence of our borders and are capable to defend our dear homeland in all domains, conventional or unconventional.”

The army chief made a special mention of Pakistan’s close strategic partnership with China. “The greatest example of a relationship based on mutual respect and principle of equality in the region is the Pak-China friendship,” he said.

CPEC would not only consolidate “our mutual economic relations but will also help the overall prosperity of the region”, he said. “Its timely completion and protection is our national undertaking. I would like to assure that we shall not allow any external force to obstruct it and any such attempt will be dealt with iron hands.”

In the end, he also paid tribute to the innocent children of the Army Public School, the youthful students of Bacha Khan University, Balochistan’s lawyers, martyrs of the nation, valiant men of the armed forces, intelligence agencies, rangers, police, and levies whose lives were laid in the defence of the country and the everlasting greatness of their resolute families.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7^th, 2016.