Parts of state machinery: Military operations helped restore investors’ confidence

AJK president urges young officers to see their country in positive light, shirk corruption

MUZAFFARABAD: Although, terrorism and extremism have posed challenges for Pakistan, the country has fought back and gained respect and trust of the world community.

The growing trust in Pakistan was evident from the return of foreign investors after the successes of military operations Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul- Fassad.

This was stated by Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) President Masood Khan while addressing under-training officers of Civil Services Academy Lahore at the President Secretariat in Muzaffarabad on Saturday.

He added that foreign media has declared Pakistan as the emerging market of the region.

Further, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), Masood said, was a game changer and the shining star of Pakistan’s success story.

Having served as a career diplomat in Pakistan’s foreign service for over 30 years, Masood said that the meaning of civil service was to take care of the people and providing them with every basic necessity and facility at their doorsteps.

“When a bureaucrat decides that he has to work for the country with dedication … nobody would try to bribe him. An officer should stay away from corruption,” the AJK president said.

Being the drivers of state machinery, Masood said public servants were the real representatives of the nation.

“An officer should keep it in mind that they are the real face of the country.”

A foreign services officer who works abroad was once considered the face of Pakistan and foreigners who have never visited the country would see the image of Pakistan through such officers, he said.

Masood urged the young officers never to see their country through negative lenses. “Having an adverse opinion about your nation would do it no harm but turn your personality more negative,” he said.

He also asked the youngsters to work for the Kashmir cause whenever and wherever they get the opportunity.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 11^th, 2017.