Defending performance: Government says it is accountable to the people

All institutions have to play their role while remaining within the ambit of Constitution

ISLAMABAD:

A day after the military leadership expressed concern over the slow pace of implementation on the National Action Plan against terrorism, the government said “all institutions have to play their role while remaining within the ambit of the Constitution”.

The corps commanders on Tuesday called for taking ‘governance initiatives’ in order to complement the efforts of the security forces in the fight against terrorism. They warned that if matching complementary initiatives were not taken, the effects of the counterterrorism operations could be undermined.

The government, however, defended its initiatives which, it said, were showing visible results. “True to its belief that it is accountable to the people of Pakistan, the government has taken all its decisions in an open and transparent manner, keeping the national interest as its foremost priority,” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister House on behalf of a government spokesperson.

The government’s ‘firm commitment’ to good governance has been the hallmark of all its policies. “The initiatives taken by the government are showing visible results in improved law and order situation and vibrant economic development,” the spokesperson said.

The government would continue to pursue NAP and all other initiatives to bring about a positive change in the life of the common man. “However, it is to be noted that implementation of NAP is a shared responsibility and all institutions have to play their role, while remaining within the ambit of the Constitution.”

The statement clearly shows that the civil and military leaderships are not on the same page on many issues. Sources said the statement was drafted by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in consultation with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and some trusted bureaucrats and was issued after consultation with his political aides in and outside parliament.

Talking credit for the ongoing military action Operation Zarb-e-Azb and the NAP, the government also claimed to have the people’s support on these initiatives.

“The decisive action taken by the government against extremism and terrorism over the past two years has been widely acknowledged. Most importantly credit goes to the people of Pakistan who whole-heartedly supported this operation,” the spokesperson said.

At Tuesday’s conference of the corps commanders, army chief Gen Raheel Sharif – while appreciating progress of ongoing operations and intelligence-based operations, their achievements and effects – acknowledged full support of the nation for ‘our ongoing operations’ to eliminate terrorism and extremism.

The government’s statement also elaborated the stakeholders, who played a role in the success of operations under the NAP. “Successful implementation of this strategy was only possible due to broad political consensus achieved by this government, brave action by men and officers of the armed forces and coordinated efforts by provincial governments, police, civil armed forces and intelligence agencies.

“The apex judiciary has also extended its full support for this effort,” spokesperson stated.

Sources said the civilian leadership also contemplated the timing of the ISPR statement and decided to reply to it as the army chief is scheduled to visit the US on November 15.

They said the military has strong reservations over government’s conducts as it has given political protection to people in many cases and is reluctant to implement certain aspect of the NAP. They, however, said neither the civilian setup nor the military leadership was ready to play on the front foot. “However, settlement of the issues will depend on the outcome of the army chief’s visit to the US,” a source said, adding that currently there is no political pressure on the prime minister.


Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2015.