Bajwa’s contention

It was reassuring to learn that the armed forces have distanced themselves from politics. Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa, who is touring the US these days, was quite categorical when he reiterated that he will be doffing his uniform at the end of his three-year extended tenure by the end of November, and that politics is no more a ball game of the security forces. These two utterances have come at an opportune moment as the nation was unnecessarily being pitched in a crisscross of rumours related to the professional decisions of the armed forces, as well as the undeniable linkage of its influence in day to day politics. Gen Bajwa has cleared the air, and made room for a scheduled transition of power, which literally is a good omen for public confidence and prosperity of the country.

The army chief has a number of contributions to his credit. He successfully carried the momentum of war on terror that he inherited from his able predecessor, Gen Raheel Sharif, and worked to further a doctrine of peaceful coexistence in the region. He endorsed the phenomenon of geo-economics, and time and again extended an olive branch to India calling for a holistic dialogue on bilateral irritants. Last but not least, Gen Bajwa was instrumental in tapping the Middle Eastern friends in dire straits, and his mediatory role is appreciated on record. With such a rich input, his humble submission that he will not seek an extension, as proposed by many political forces, is laudable and augurs well for the institution.

At the last leg of his professional assignment, Gen Bajwa has recrafted Pakistan-US relations. The cold shoulder that had set in has literally been addressed, and cooperation with Washington in terms of military and counter-terrorism domains strengthened. This will long be remembered as his legacy. Now with a firm word from the military head, politics of exigency and misinformation must come to an end. As the country is ripe with difference of opinion in political spheres, the army must be kept aloof. It will be a great service to the country and its institutions.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 6^th, 2022.

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