COAS urges healing touch to move on from polarization

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Saturday said Pakistan’s diverse polity and pluralism will be "well-represented by a unified government of all democratic forces" imbibed with national purpose.

“Pakistan’s diverse polity and pluralism will be well-represented by a unified government of all democratic forces imbibed with national purpose. Elections and democracy are means to serve people of Pakistan and not ends in themselves,” the army chief said, as per the military's media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

The COAS stressed that the nation needed stable hands and a healing touch to move on from the politics of anarchy and polarisation which does not suit a progressive country of 250 million people.

“Elections are not a zero-sum competition of winning and losing but an exercise to determine the mandate of the people. Political leadership and their workers should rise above self-interests and synergise efforts in governing and serving the people which is perhaps the only way to make democracy functional and purposeful.”

He noted that as the people of Pakistan have reposed their combined trust in the Constitution of Pakistan, it is now incumbent upon all political parties to reciprocate the same with political maturity and unity.

“As we move forward from this national milestone we must reflect on where the country stands today and where our rightful place should be in the comity of nations. COAS wishes that these elections bring in political and economic stability and prove to be the harbinger of peace and prosperity for our beloved Pakistan,” the statement read.

The COAS also congratulated the entire Pakistani nation, caretaker government, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), political parties and all winning candidates on the successful conduct of the general elections 2024.

“Free and unhindered participation by Pakistani people to exercise their right of vote demonstrated their commitment to democracy and the rule of law as enshrined in constitution of Pakistan,” he added.

The COAS said that the “leadership and personnel of law-enforcement agencies deserve our highest appreciation for creating a safe and secure environment for the electoral process, despite overwhelming odds”.

The constructive role played by national media, civil society, members of civil administration and the judiciary enabled the successful conduct of the largest electoral exercise in national history, he added.