Pakistan

Recognising our martyrs

Haris Masood Zuberi May 15, 2010

KARACHI: This is with reference to your editorial on Martyrs Day celebrated by the Pakistan Army this year on April 30 — and every year henceforth. Nations need to recognise the sacrifices made by their fallen soldiers.

The lives given by hundreds of young officers and soldiers of the Pakistan Army in 2009 while fighting militant outfits during Operation Rah-e-Rast should be acknowledged globally. According to statistics released by ISPR, around 2,400 personnel lost their lives and another 6,500 were wounded in 2009-2010. In comparison, US/Nato forces in the region combined had a casualty figure of approximately 1,600. This just goes to show that the price paid by the Pakistani nation in pursuit of elimination of terrorist elements has been very high.

Published in the Express Tribune, May 16th, 2010.

COMMENTS (4)

Haris | 14 years ago | Reply Mr. Alvi, your sentiments are respectable indeed. I wasn't aware that late Col Ikram's son was also martyred in 2009. Could you please share details about him? The new generation of Pakistani soldiers proved in 2009 that Pakistan’s and its military’s sacrifice for larger global interest is immensely significant at every juncture, whether it’s peace-keeping missions, wars against communism or terrorism. Particular scenes such as Mrs Colonel Fakhar-ul-Hasan receiving the national flag wrapped around her husband's coffin from the Pakistan Army guard of honour and then turning to the Pakistan Air Force guard of honour to receive her son Flying Officer Minhaj-ul-Hasan's flag alongside burial of younger son aspiring-cadet Saad-ul-Hasan are imprints on the Pakistani nation's memory that shall become legends. All these martyrs were sons, brothers, husbands and fathers, but foremost they were soldiers and proudly upheld the obligation to global cause and national ideology for peace above and beyond personal responsibilities and relationships.

Arshad Alvi | 14 years ago | Reply I have always been thinking of Shaheeds of Pakistan Army, specially after the statements appearing in media about Musharraf as "He is a grade 22 employee of the government". It is not the Musharraf, the remarks are about a soldier as he represents the Army as a whole. Secondly when Col Ikram's death in a road Accident in Lahore due to an accident with Chief Secretary's car. (May Almighty Allah rest his soul in peace, Ameen). We probably forgot that his son had very recently laid his life for this nation. The way his case was dealt with by the local government and specially th eploce station located right in the heart of cantomnent, was really isturbing. This made me emotional and literally made me cry as to this is theo worth of our soldiers aho lay their lives for the safety of this nation. We call them grade.... servants. Isn't it a matter of shame for us. I thought that Chief of Army Staff or at leat the local Corps COmmander will take a direct action on this but nothing happened. I could just shed tears, which I really did after seeing his son standing outside the Police Station, a public place supposed to be open to all citiens of Pakistan to get their complaints registered. Rather than giving time to them to mourn the tragic death of their father, they were standing helplessly outside the THANA. Shame on us all. As a matter of fact Jihad is obligatory on all Muslims but by compulsion and with the advent of advance technology and sophistification in weapons, the techniques and tactics involved in a modren warfare, this duty has been left on the shoulders of Army but this does not absolve us from our obligations to look after the families of these SHuhada. This is the way we can partiicpate in the present day Jihad. We must not forget that they are performing their duties on our behalf, though they are being paid as they have to sustain theif families. What have we done in turn to look after them as a nation?? Have we ever thought of it?? Have we voluntarily contributed any thing for their families?? Wherever there is a political advantage involved, s sum of Rs 25 lacs is announced for the police, 5 lacs for other civilians but what do the heirs of soldiers get? just aout 3 to 5 lacs for their families. Is it enough for them to get their wards educated and live a reasonable life?? Must ponder on these few lines, may be these look abit emotional but these are a reality.

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Haris | 14 years ago | Reply I wouldn't disagree with your point Mr. Nadir, since the civilian casualties defined by the same ISPR statistics has been near 22000 lives. Paying tribute to the Army, which in any case bears the greatest brunt whether it is an armed conflict or natural calamity, does not mean the loss and sacrifce by para-military, police, civil-defence or the very civilians is less significant. The only difference is the scale and context. While the Army's contribution is always exponentially higher, the Yaum-e-Shuhada was also recently conceived/announced by Pakistan Army, not just commemorating regular army losses but para-military as well. It would certainly be worthwhile if the Police came up with similar commeoration for its sacrifices. The public would certainly admire their contributions. Provided they have enough contribution to convince. Meanwhile the loss of thousands of civilians during the military operations as well as in markets, offices, mosques and roads throughout Pakistan during bombings over past 5 years also certainly deserves national commemoration of monumental scale. But the question remains, who would step forward to do so? Ideally it should be done by the 'government of the people-for the people-by the people'. But you and I know well things work rather differenty in our land. The govt hardly ever makes sure whether the 100-200k announced for victims are ever even handed over. Let's not dilute a positive gesture by one undoubted pillar of the nation (Pakistan Army) by reflecting upon shortcomings (or failings) of the others. The support Pakistan Army gained from the Public is a fruit of effective planning by ISPR in the dimension of 'media-warfare'. It was in the first quarter of 2009 that Army-ISPR shifted their publicity strategy and brought focus on their sacrifices to gain overwhelming public support. If our federal and provincial governments could take heed and muster moral, financial and professional support from the public to aid civilian victims to cope, survive and rise as proud citizens, it will surely be Pakistan's gain. As far as comparisons with NATO casualties goes, the statistics are compiled after the losses are suffered and not the other way round. If the comparisons are stark, it's surely a matter to raise and gain due credit for. If Pakistani soldiers play a part in the war on terror, their losses deserve to be counted against that of other armies serving the same cause.

Nadir El Edroos | 14 years ago | Reply What about the many more civilians who have been killed and maimed? Long before any military action begun? The most they can hope for is Rs. 1 Lakh if you are injured or Rs. 2 Lakhs for the heirs of someone killed. What about all the policeman, levies, rangers, paramedics, rescue workes etc who have died or have been injured? No memorial or words of support for them? Further, I find our continued fascination with comparing the number of Pakistani casualties with those with NATO forces repugnant. We are treating the lives of human beings as mere statistics to score political points. I am all for supporting our soldiers and recognize the important morale boasting impact it has, however our state and society allocate support unequally. The overwhelming support and coverage offered to the military's memorial is in stark contrast to the lack of support that victims of terror from other segments of society have received. At the very least efforts should be made to provide counselling and support to children who have been injured or witnessed terrorists attacks.

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