Pakistan’s defence is impregnable, as the armed forces and the nation share a vision for a secure tomorrow. Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa spelt out the obvious when he remarked that in an era of changing warfare and propaganda, the need of the hour is unity and a collective sense of nationalism. While addressing a Defence Day ceremony, the army chief rightly reiterated the need for shunning nefarious elements in our midst who cast parochialism and spread internal chaos. He was categorical when he pointed out that some people are being used by anti-state elements, by furthering fifth generation warfare, and warned that such black sheep will be taken out.
Gen Bajwa is a thinking strategist, and has no qualms about calling a spade a spade. His doctrine of national reconciliation, peace and regional development has acted as a catalyst in defeating the terror nexus at home, and sending the right signals across the frontiers for a cohesive approach in an era of geo-economics. This is why his words matter when he said there is no more room for any kind of extremism or violence; and none can blackmail the state on the basis of regionalism, ethnicity, ideology or religion. He also called for working along the lines of people’s progress, regional cooperation and acquiring technology instead of, what he termed, negative geopolitical thoughts. The army chief made it clear that resolution of the Kashmir dispute is indispensable for normal ties with India; and Pakistan looks up for an inclusive government in Afghanistan.
These words from the commander-in-chief marshal the nation’s path for building a progressive state, which is internally and externally invincible. The resolve to stand united has come at an appropriate time. There has been an upsurge in violence, as armed forces convoys were targeted, apart from the Chinese engaged in CPEC projects. Likewise, in an apparent suicide attack on Sunday, four Frontier Corps soldiers were killed in Quetta, for which the banned TTP claimed responsibility. This boils down the equation to what the army chief had uttered: forge unity and raise the vigil to root out the enemy disguised in our midst. It’s time for cleansing our internal rank and file.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 8th, 2021.
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