Reforms needed in system: COAS

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif Tuesday said the evil nexus of heinous crimes, corruption and terrorism is a great impediment to achieving complete peace and is a cause of social unrest and effective and far reaching reforms are needed in the system to break this nexus.

The army chief said no external force would be allowed to obstruct China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project and any such attempt would be dealt with iron hands.

Addressing the main ceremony on the occasion of Defence Day of Pakistan here at the General Headquarters (GHQ), he said the CPEC is the paramount evidence of Pakistan-China relationship. He said this great project will not only consolidate mutual economic relations between the two countries, but will also help the overall prosperity of the region. “Its timely completion and protection is our national undertaking,” he said.

General Raheel said the greatest example of a relationship based on mutual respect and principle of equality in the region is the Pak-China friendship. 

The army chief paid tribute to the martyrs and heroes of the nation whose unmatched sacrifices, courage and sense of duty enabled the people to breathe in an independent and respectable country. He said the war of September 1965 is a glorious chapter of national history that bestowed a new determination and unity upon the people of Pakistan. He said the supreme valour of the men and officers of Pakistan Army, Air Force and Navy has made the Defence Day the most distinguished day in the history of Pakistani nation.

He said 50 years later this day has also become the emblem of the sacrifices, steadfastness and bravery of all those martyrs and heroes who successfully stood up to such enormous challenges as operation Zarb-e-Azb and a decade long war against terror. 

“I want to make it clear to all enemies of Pakistan that Pakistan has always been strong and today it is invincible,” he said. 

“For the past few years our country is faced with the menace of terrorism and an unconventional war in which the nation and the armed forces have rendered countless sacrifices side by side,” he said.

The COAS said while terrorism has crumbled many countries around the world, Pakistan by the grace of Almighty Allah has valiantly fought this challenge.

“A few years ago we were faced with terrorist attacks almost on a daily basis. No part of the country including defence installations were beyond the enemy’s reach. The writ of the state had practically ended in many parts of the country. North Waziristan had become a hotbed of terrorists. Doubts and misgivings about war on terrorism were common in many circles,” he said, adding, “But as Chief of Army Staff I held full faith in the capabilities and resolve of the armed forces of Pakistan.It was this faith that encouraged us to launch operation Zarb-e-Azb.”

He said, “We named operation Zarb-e-Azb after the sword of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) so that we would be guided on every step by the Edicts of Almighty Allah and the examples of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him). This sword can only be raised for the protection of the oppressed and the innocent and to eradicate evil and disorder from the land.”

The army chief said the process of indiscriminate elimination of terrorists from Pakistan that was started two years ago in the form of operation Zarb-e-Azb has attained its laid down military objectives and today the Green banner flutters proudly over all parts of the homeland.

“Since the start of Zarb-e-Azb, we have undertaken over 19,000 operations across the length and breadth of the country to overcome terrorism. In this long voyage of success, the Pakistan Army has been aided by invaluable sacrifices rendered by Rangers, Frontier Corps, Police and Levies. Our intelligence agencies have played a vital role in these achievements,” he said.

General Raheel said the success of Zarb-e-Azb results from unparalleled tri services cooperation. Especially, he said, the Pakistan Air Force has worked in close harmony with the Pakistan Army at every stage of this operation.

“This mutual harmony of the armed forces is our treasured asset,” he observed. General Raheel said during the war on terrorism almost 18,000 innocent citizens and 5,000 officers and soldiers of the armed forces laid their lives while over 48,000 Pakistanis suffered serious injuries.

“We shall not allow the sacrifices of our martyrs to go in vain. Zarb-e-Azb might be just another military offensive for the world but for us it is the war of survival for our homeland,” he said, adding, “We shall not hesitate from going to any extent to ensure our national security.”

General Raheel said he realised that the brave tribal people had borne the hardships of leaving their homes for the sake of peace. He said the Pakistan Army is vigorously engaged in all the projects for the better and brighter future for internally displaced persons (IDPs)and their coming generations. “God willing, the repatriation process for IDPs will also be concluded soon. As a nation we can be rightfully proud of the accomplishments made during this brief span. Now we see the solutions instead of new problems,” he said.

The COAS reminded that the internal and external threats to peace had not yet ended completely. He said for a lasting peace it was necessary to ensure countrywide implementation of the National Action Plan (NAP) formed out of the collective wisdom of the nation in its true letter and spirit.

The COAS said scholars, intellectuals and media must propagate the peaceful and universal message of Islam in order to eradicate the negative notions of extremism. “In order to root out terrorism we must also remove such weaknesses in our criminal justice system which impede the complete eradication of terrorism,” he said.

He said for the operation to yield its full dividends all stakeholders and institutions of state must play their respective roles with utmost sincerity and commitment. “While Army and law enforcement personnel are putting their lives at stake to curb the facilitators, abettors financiers and sympathisers of the enemies, some elements are trying to create an atmosphere of mistrust in the nation towards security and intelligence organisations,” he said.

General Raheel said despite all these misgivings and accusations the Army’s morale remains high.  “We are sincerely playing our active role for peace in Afghanistan. But some self-seeking quarters that are definitely not sincere towards Afghanistan are obstructing these efforts,” he said.

“I bear upon such elements that Afghanistan is our neighbour and brother Islamic country. Peace and stability there is vital to Pakistan’s own interest,” he said.  The army chief said better management of international border between the two countries takes precedence in our national interest.

“We want to establish an effective border management mechanism in concert with Afghan government. I am certain that a better peace environment will lead to our shared economic progress,” he said. “We desire peaceful relations with all our neighbours but the fact can never be overlooked that the true assurance of peace in the region is the balance of power,” he added.

The army chief said despite all external machinations and instigations, the armed forces are ever prepared for the defence of borders and are capable to defend the dear homeland in all domains, may it be conventional or unconventional. General Raheel saluted the great sacrifices of the people of Indian Held Kashmir (IHK) for their right to self-determination.

“The oppressed people of Occupied Kashmir are once again suffering worst form of state terrorism and repression for demanding their due rights. The true solution for this struggle for self-determination resides not in raining bullets upon the defenceless Kashmiri people but in heeding to their voice and respecting their aspirations,” he said, adding that Kashmir issue can only be resolved by implementing the UN resolutions.

“Kashmir is our lifeline and we shall continue our diplomatic and moral support to the freedom movement at all levels,” he said.  “We are fully aware of all covert and overt intrigues and intentions of our enemies. Be the challenge military or diplomatic, be the danger on the borders or within the cities, we know our friends and foes all too well. We, know well how to abide by bonds of friendship and how to avenge upon our enemies,” he said.

General Raheel also saluted the innocent children of Army Public School, the youthful students of Bacha Khan University, Balochistan’s lawyers, valiant men of the armed forces, intelligence agencies, Rangers, police and Levies whose lives were laid in the defence of the country and the everlasting greatness of their resolute families.

“Your passion reinforces our resolve,” he said, adding that he was proud to command an army whose officers and men hold aloft the traditions of the great heroes of yore. “I have an unwavering faith in the courage and determination of each of my countrymen. Especially our youth is the herald custodian and guarantor of Pakistan’s bright future,” he said.

“On behalf of my entire nation I want to impress upon the enemies of peace and humanity that if we can win we also know how to protect our victory,” he added. Federal ministers, chiefs of armed forces, diplomats and dignitaries attended the event.

Leader of the House in the Senate Raja Zafarul Haq, Leader of the Opposition in National Assembly Khursheed Shah and former armed forces chiefs were also present. Earlier, the army chief laid a wreath at the monument of martyrs and raised his hands in prayer for the martyrs.