"It is not merely about retribution, but is in fact about awareness and participation of the masses that can truly end this game of hide-and-seek between democracy and dictatorship," says Kayani. PHOTO: AFP
Army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has strongly dispelled the impression that the upcoming parliamentary elections will be postponed due to security threats.
“The general elections will be held in the country on the 11th of May. We must not harbour any suspicions or misgivings about it,” he said, while addressing a ‘Yaum-e-Shuhada’ event in the garrison city of Rawalpindi on Tuesday.
His statement came amid doubts on whether the elections would take place on time in the wake of the deteriorating law and order situation in the country, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Karachi and Balochistan.
In his speech, the army chief also cautioned that the politics of ‘retribution’ would not strengthen democracy in the country.
“It is not merely about retribution, but is in fact about awareness and participation of the masses that can truly end this game of hide-and-seek between democracy and dictatorship.”
His carefully-worded remarks appeared to refer to the ongoing trial of former military ruler General Pervez Musharraf, who is also facing treason charges for imposing emergency rule in 2007.
The country’s powerful military establishment, though tight-lipped over Musharraf’s detention, is apparently upset over the way its former boss is being dragged into different cases.
Gen Kayani said the army was committed to “wholeheartedly assisting and supporting the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections.”
“I also assure you that this support shall solely be aimed at strengthening democracy and rule of law in the country,” he remarked.
The army chief said the upcoming elections would provide a ‘golden opportunity’ to usher in an era of true democratic values in the country, and urged voters to elect those who would work for the country.
“If we succeed in rising above all ethnic, linguistic and sectarian biases to vote solely on the basis of honesty, sincerity, merit and competence, there would be no reason to fear dictatorship or to grudge the inadequacies of our present democratic system,” he emphasised.
Ownership of war on terror
In unambiguous terms, Gen Kayani declared that Pakistan was not fighting a war on terror at any other country’s behest.
He also indirectly hit out at certain political parties, which according to him, were trying to confuse the public on the issue of militancy.
“The menace of terrorism and extremism has claimed thousands of lives, including those of the army, Rangers, FC, Police, Frontier Constabulary, Levies and the innocent people of Pakistan. Our external enemies are busy in fuelling the flames of this fire,” he said.
In a clear signal to Taliban apologists and the ‘this is not our war’ crowd, he remarked that despite all this bloodshed, certain quarters still want to remain embroiled in the debate concerning the causes of this war and who imposed it on Pakistan.
“While this may be important in itself, the fact of the matter is that today it is Pakistan and its valiant people who are a target of this war and are suffering tremendously”.
“I would like to ask all those who raise such questions that if a small faction wants to enforce its distorted ideology over the entire nation by taking up arms and for this purpose defies the Constitution of Pakistan and the democratic process and considers all forms of bloodshed justified, then does the fight against this enemy of the state constitute someone else’s war,” he argued.
He said the country could not afford to confuse “our soldiers and weaken their resolve with such misgivings.”
“Every drop of blood shed for the national cause is sacred and no one can better understand its value than the families who are present here today,” he said. In his address, the army chief also called on militants to lay down their arms and accept the country’s constitution unconditionally.
“We sincerely desire that all those who have strayed and have picked up arms against the nation return to the fold.
However, this is only possible once they unconditionally submit to the State, he said.
However, he warned that there was no room for doubt when it comes to dealing with rebellion against the state.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 1st, 2013.
COMMENTS (14)
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So, If one does not support the rule of law to the fullest without making exceptions, how can one actually support democracy?
But Musharraf subverted the Constitution, yet again, and more undeserving in 2007 and so committed acts of high treason. Protecting him, means the law should not take its due course. How can democracy flourish without rule of law?
@Saleem: In the few above remarks it seems the only confusion is your remarks. Can anyone else find any confusion in the statements of G Kayani? The mindset represented by Saleem is the same who always objects the role of the Army and most of the time they find much to criticize and object and I agree with that but if there comes any gust of fresh breeze from the same institution than instead of appreciating it they still want to mar the institution by creating confusion in the name of 'confusion'. So this mindset has its own agenda not for any betterment of the nation, country and army but to malign army and nothing more.
Sure. We need democracy and more than all of us He needs democracy after all he is fit to work for five more years.
why should he be upset that the laws of the land is being upheld and where was he when Musharraf confined the higher judiciary to their residences and even their kids were not allowed to go to schools or colleges.As the saying goes that you reap what you sow, Musharraf has subverted the constitution and he is not above the law or any other General is either, so no one should be annoyed if he is facing the law now, lets pledge that no one will be above the law no matter who they are and the Army should start thinking that the future and solidarity of the nation depends on by abiding the laws of the land and upholding the Constitution.It is very odd that he was negotiating whatever that was with John Kerry in Brussels instead of foreign minister of Pakistan.And what right an Army General has to negotiate with foreigners and allow drones to kill Pakistani citizens in FATA unless the people who live in Tribal Areas are not considered Pakistani citizens.
"Gen Kayani said the army was committed to “wholeheartedly assisting and supporting the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections.” Some used to make fun of good old Malik's statements. One wonders if the elections were not peaceful what carnage and ethnic cleansing would have taken place? Seriously the elections are going in the "right" direction (no pun intended) so there is no need to change anything at all. Empty words no efforts or results to protect the public and provide a level playing field.
Democracy in the best solution General is right
If rhetoric were energy Pakistan would have been a powerhouse. Even the generals and CJ keep talking but no real action! Whose primary job is to keep the country safe? All the perks and extensions are for just talk?
Our external enemies are busy in fuelling the flames of this fire,” he said.
Then maybe instead of adding more fuel to the fire we must put it out with water. Look where these stupid generals and their 8 years of mindless war-on-terror have taken us! Enough!
How we as nation should deal with this problem must be decided by us (the people), by our chosen representatives (the politicians); and not by generals whose only stake in this country is plots!
We, the ordinary people take the full brunt of this madness, and therefore it is we who will decide how to deal with it. Your only job is to say, "Sir, Yes Sir!"
'...vote solely on the basis of honesty, sincerity, merit and competence...' he means vote for PTI
General Saheb, can you please shed some light on who has created this monster? The lives of ordinary soldiers are being lost while the Generals in GHQ contemplate how best to use this asset of yours. Let's 'not' try to confuse people any further.
This man knows what he is talking about. I am so glad people in power have their senses right and have barred Musharraf forever. The common man does not understand that Kayani understands what is happening locally, regionally and globally. There is too much misinformation and Pakistanis forget that if we did not have the army and its capacity to control our nuclear facilities Pakistan would be another Libya, another Syria, another Palestine another Iraq. Pakistanis should never forget that.
Golden words indeed.“If we succeed in rising above all ethnic, linguistic and sectarian biases to vote solely on the basis of honesty, sincerity, merit and competence, there would be no reason to fear dictatorship or to grudge the inadequacies of our present democratic system,”
After two floods, it was Army who did great job to save people of Sindh. People of Sindh are proud of Army for services to Pakistan. We should respect our Army and Jawans, who laid down their lives to protect us.
Well done. This man is great. Serving a real national cause.