Militancy poses risk of civil war, warns Gen Kayani
Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani warned on Monday that if militancy is not eliminated, the country will be at risk of civil war.
Marking 65 years of independence, the army chief said that in Pakistan the military faces an extraordinary situation of fighting its own people.
He added that Pakistan could only prosper if all the institutions of the state, including the executive, the judiciary and the legislature worked together in unity.
Addressing a ceremony at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, he said: “The path we have chosen needs sacrifices but this is the only way to achievement and Pakistan is not going to fall short of sacrifices.”
General Kayani asserted that “we are proud of our past and it is important that we learn from it. No one can help us except for ourselves.
“It is the duty of our generation to give a better Pakistan to our kids no matter what the consequences are. After all we are nothing without Pakistan.”
He emphasised on the fact that no country can afford to live in instability but for that it is important that everyone follows the rules set by Islam and the laws set by the Constitution.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 14th, 2012.
COMMENTS (32)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
Army chief gave realistic and objective assessment of the threat posed by terrorism and extremism.He stressed the need for the nation to get united and face the threat squarely
@Mirza: Army chief gave realistic and objective assessment of the threat posed by terrorism and extremism.He stressed the need for the nation to get united and face the threat squarely
the U turn of the military chief is because the popularity of army does not enjoy the same level of support support( rather intense opposition of army controlling the defense and foreign policy) which was available earlier , four years of democratic rule has given freedom to criticize government and military too freely and fearlessly . Even if an operation takes place against the militancy it will be softer in many respects which will ultimately lead to backtrack the army as well as the political parties including the ruling one to garner votes. there is uncertainty of operation till the ensuing election.
So, the army will fight the war against militancy. But that's not enough! Who's going to fight against the corrupt politicians, bureaucrats, conservative political parties, state actors supporting militants-like Gen. Gil, rogue agents, illiteracy etc. etc? There's a lot of work to be done and would require a lot of sacrifices not by the masses alone (which they do 24/7) but by the ELITE! I don't think they're ready the way things are at present. They can make excellent speeches and that's all they're good for. So who or what will ensure that these crooks do there part? I don't think anyone has the answer for this.
My friends this the end of the rope, Choice is with the people who has the power to change the things.
Why is it important that everyone follows the rules set by Islam?
A decent Constitution would tolerate other religions and honor everyone's right to think and practice religion as they see fit.
This is a fundamental problem (pun intended).
Why every Army chief take it a must to preach the nation about relegion!!
A revolution is coming to Pakistan. it will be bigger than PTI Tsunami and any Rally its time to wake up people!
yes u are correct . Civil war is going on for the last decade in Pakistan .
U turn is needed .
Ofcorse a good start .
Militancy has to be weeded out .
Who is responsible is not that important but it is a fact that Kashmir policy has totaly failed .
The civil war has been going on for over a decade. Get your facts straight, General.
it sounds good and optimistic, if i'm not in a fools paradise, that we all realize the only solution to this country is the consistency of democracy, and complete pull out of military role in the politics and foreign policy of the country.
I think rather than fretting over every statement coming out of COAS, let's give the credit where it is due. For the first time, at least they are realizing and verbalizing that the magnitude of current militancy will lead to civil war. Much more is needed to make a difference but that is certainly a good start.
So what took you so long to realise this fact, Gen ? Surely you must have known this fact, when you were busy providing them with training, support and shelter ! So what's changed that this sudden U turn in the opinion ? Perhaps its dawned on the Gen, the crises facing the Nation and serious lack of resources to turn things around, also the likelyhood of further isolation and lack of Aid from Global Community. Time has come for GHQ to stop playing games and running the policies of the Nation, as this really should be the task of elected members of the assembly, no matter, how inept they may be !
Indeed. Army sacrificed half the country and readying for more by warning of a civil war.
@Ahmer Ali:
Nice comments without solution. My friend could evulate solution how Pakistan Resist most of the world without economically and politically stability. Survival of the country in present world is strong economy........... Only and Only.....No one is ready to accept us because we are Bagger in this world.
@Ahmer Ali:
yeah right so what are your plans...going against USA and make Pakistan another Iraq...first be strong enough to have ego.
Good to hear your views dear COAS. But merely words will not suffice. Examine your own file and ranks and you will see militancy with in military. Religious extremism has damaged military also. How history will rate you one has to wait. But one thing is for sure that you could not effectively eliminate the militancy neither from military nor from country.
Is there a political way to resolve the issue of militancy? Is there any imaginative way out of the present crisis?
God be with you. Eliminate the militants cum criminals. The Nation stands behind you in this trying situation. We would request the Political Leadership and the Judiciary, to understand the gravity of the situation. The process of letting down each other must stop and utilise your time and energies for the country and the nation. You have already damaged the country enough. Please let it grow.
@Moise: You also keep it in your mind that we are taking every possible step according to our best abilities to protect US' interests and reopening the NATO's supply lines is the live example of it against the informal word "sorry" by selling our every thing including honor,grace,dignity,self-respect,pride,sovereignty and ego and by taking actions on against the tribal areas' Pakistanis on the our worldly master USA.......
He added that Pakistan could only prosper if all the institutions of the state, including the executive, the judiciary and the legislature worked together in unity and protect US interests selflessly.
thanks. For providing valuable information. In connection with independance day i would say what we are it because of Pakistan so due care it holy land. May Allah be prosper Pakistan upto doomsday. Ameen
Military created militancy thru use of non state actors and jihadis. Now military has to fight its own genie. Gopod that military realises that pakistan has made huge mistakes. Kashmir being the most critical mistrake ever. Noww Kashmir policy is threatening pakistans survival.
Militancy or Military?
Amen
why this news script is quite different from the one mentioned in Express Urdu!?
We want Pakistan amy to take over and help us get rid of the curopt politicians....Long live Pakistan and long live Pakistan amy!
Finally, figured it out! Still not too late. Hope actions follow the words. Though Dawn has a detailed article. God bless Pakistan!
"“It is the duty of our generation to give a better Pakistan to our kids no matter what the consequences are. After all we are nothing without Pakistan.”
Evey1 take note.
Thanks a lot for giving informations in this regard but would you like to explain that who is creating/providing the ground for the civil war posed by the militants??????? If you could define it completely,honestly,sincerely and truly before the nation then the nation would be highly obliged to you.....
A balanced statement from military chief and very pragmatic as well. Now the PCO judges would be all over him.