Expressing solidarity: Army martyrs are our benefactors, says PM
Nawaz lays floral wreath at Martyrs Monument in GHQ; PM briefed on internal and external security challenges.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif offers Fateha at the Martyrs Monument at GHQ in Rawalpindi. PHOTO: PPI
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif apparently rebuked Jamaat-e-Islami chief Munawar Hassan for stirring the ‘martyrdom controversy,’ as he paid a rare visit to the General Headquarters on Tuesday to publicly acknowledge the sacrifices of the armed forces in the fight against militancy.
This was Nawaz’s first visit to the army’s nerve centre in the garrison city of Rawalpindi since assuming office in June this year and came at a time when hopes of a peace deal with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan are fast fading.
The prime minister, who was joined by army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, laid a floral wreath at the Martyrs Monument.
In a meeting with the army chief and principal staff officers, Premier Nawaz said the army had set ‘an historic example’ by sacrificing their lives for the defence of the motherland.
“Those who have fought for Pakistan, Ghazi (living) and Shaheed (martyred), have sacrificed their today for ensuring a better tomorrow for our future generations and all of them are our benefactors,” he remarked in an apparent response to the JI chief’s statement questioning the martyrdom of Pakistani troops and declaring TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud a ‘martyr.’
Federal Information Minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid told reporters that the prime minister’s GHQ visit was meant to show solidarity with the army. He said that the government did not consider the army’s public condemnation of Munawar Hassan’s remarks as political interference.
The army has sought an ‘unconditional apology’ from the JI chief over his controversial remarks. However, the religio-political party, a staunch supporter of the army during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, refused to apologise and termed the army’s demand ‘interference in political matters’.
According to an official release, the prime minister said that each soldier of the army enters into the battlefield with the passion to lay down his life for the country and with the desire to embrace martyrdom.
“It is this passion and high morale that is the biggest strength of our forces. Those who have laid down their lives in the fight against terrorism would be remembered forever,” he added.
Briefing on security
According to the official statement, the prime minister, who was also accompanied by ministers of interior and finance, was given a detailed briefing on the current security situation, including internal and external challenges.
The briefing was given by the chief of army staff and principal staff officers on operational environment, spectrum of threat, national security issues, contributions of the army in nation-building, support to civil administration in law and order situations and natural calamities.
A military official familiar with the briefing said that the prime minister and the military brass also discussed the prospects of peace talks with the TTP following the killing of Hakimullah Mehsud and appointment of Mullah Fazlullah as his successor.
However, the military was apprehensive of any positive outcome of the government’s efforts since the new TTP chief has already refused to hold negotiations.
The contentious US drone campaign also came under discussion and there was a consensus that the matter should be settled through diplomatic means instead of restoring to any other measure.
The prime minister said Pakistan is a democratic and peace-loving country and wants proliferation of stability in the world. “The people of Pakistan repose full trust in democracy and believe that a strong defence and stable democracy are essential for the country,” he added.
The prime minister added that he had utmost confidence in the professional capabilities of Pakistan Army and hoped that “Inshallah Pakistan would soon be recognised as a peaceful and developed country among the comity of nations.”
Kayani’s successor
Tuesday’s visit also provided an opportunity to the prime minister to interact with the country’s potential new army chief.
One of the strong contenders for the post is the current Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Rashad Mahmood who was seen shaking hands with the prime minister and sitting next to Gen Kayani during the security briefing.
The government has yet not officially announced who would replace Gen Kayani on November 28. The information minister has insisted that the decision would be taken in the best interest of the nation and at an appropriate time.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2013.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif apparently rebuked Jamaat-e-Islami chief Munawar Hassan for stirring the ‘martyrdom controversy,’ as he paid a rare visit to the General Headquarters on Tuesday to publicly acknowledge the sacrifices of the armed forces in the fight against militancy.
This was Nawaz’s first visit to the army’s nerve centre in the garrison city of Rawalpindi since assuming office in June this year and came at a time when hopes of a peace deal with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan are fast fading.
The prime minister, who was joined by army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, laid a floral wreath at the Martyrs Monument.
In a meeting with the army chief and principal staff officers, Premier Nawaz said the army had set ‘an historic example’ by sacrificing their lives for the defence of the motherland.
“Those who have fought for Pakistan, Ghazi (living) and Shaheed (martyred), have sacrificed their today for ensuring a better tomorrow for our future generations and all of them are our benefactors,” he remarked in an apparent response to the JI chief’s statement questioning the martyrdom of Pakistani troops and declaring TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud a ‘martyr.’
Federal Information Minister Senator Pervaiz Rashid told reporters that the prime minister’s GHQ visit was meant to show solidarity with the army. He said that the government did not consider the army’s public condemnation of Munawar Hassan’s remarks as political interference.
The army has sought an ‘unconditional apology’ from the JI chief over his controversial remarks. However, the religio-political party, a staunch supporter of the army during the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, refused to apologise and termed the army’s demand ‘interference in political matters’.
According to an official release, the prime minister said that each soldier of the army enters into the battlefield with the passion to lay down his life for the country and with the desire to embrace martyrdom.
“It is this passion and high morale that is the biggest strength of our forces. Those who have laid down their lives in the fight against terrorism would be remembered forever,” he added.
Briefing on security
According to the official statement, the prime minister, who was also accompanied by ministers of interior and finance, was given a detailed briefing on the current security situation, including internal and external challenges.
The briefing was given by the chief of army staff and principal staff officers on operational environment, spectrum of threat, national security issues, contributions of the army in nation-building, support to civil administration in law and order situations and natural calamities.
A military official familiar with the briefing said that the prime minister and the military brass also discussed the prospects of peace talks with the TTP following the killing of Hakimullah Mehsud and appointment of Mullah Fazlullah as his successor.
However, the military was apprehensive of any positive outcome of the government’s efforts since the new TTP chief has already refused to hold negotiations.
The contentious US drone campaign also came under discussion and there was a consensus that the matter should be settled through diplomatic means instead of restoring to any other measure.
The prime minister said Pakistan is a democratic and peace-loving country and wants proliferation of stability in the world. “The people of Pakistan repose full trust in democracy and believe that a strong defence and stable democracy are essential for the country,” he added.
The prime minister added that he had utmost confidence in the professional capabilities of Pakistan Army and hoped that “Inshallah Pakistan would soon be recognised as a peaceful and developed country among the comity of nations.”
Kayani’s successor
Tuesday’s visit also provided an opportunity to the prime minister to interact with the country’s potential new army chief.
One of the strong contenders for the post is the current Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Rashad Mahmood who was seen shaking hands with the prime minister and sitting next to Gen Kayani during the security briefing.
The government has yet not officially announced who would replace Gen Kayani on November 28. The information minister has insisted that the decision would be taken in the best interest of the nation and at an appropriate time.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 13th, 2013.