No rift between govt, military: adviser

Says elections to be held as per schedule; terms

thematic calendar an ‘ideological tonic’

LAHORE

Adviser to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddiqui Thursday claimed that there was no “rift between government and military” as portrayed by some quarters, saying Operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched due to the political will of the present government and collectively carried out by people, government and army to eliminate terrorism.  

“There is no rift between the government and military, which is evident from the smooth departure of Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, who served for his three-year tenure and handed over command to his successor, appointed by the government”, Irfan Siddiqui said while speaking at the launch ceremony of a thematic calendar here at a local hotel.

The thematic calendar on history of Pakistan was launched by an Adbi Forum in collaboration with a pharmaceutical company to apprise people, especially medical fraternity and students about struggle and sacrifices for Pakistan. Senior literary personalities, including eminent writer and poet Khwaja Razi Haider, doctors, including Prof Dr Fareed Zafar, Prof Dr Sajid Maqbool, Prof Dr Tariq Waseem, Prof Dr Zohra Khanam, Prof Dr Asma Gul, Syed Jamshed Ahmed and Dr Iqbal Ahmed also addressed the ceremony.

Irfan Siddiqui maintained that launch of Operation Zarb-e-Azb was not a military decision alone, instead it was launched with the political will of the present government and carried out by the government, army and people of Pakistan collectively.

“No such operation was carried out in the Pervez Musharraf era, then came the five-year tenure of Pakistan People’s Party but they also did not make any effort to root out terrorism from our soil. It was the political will of this government that resulted in the launching of a joint operation by military, government and people of Pakistan”, he claimed.

Without referring to political opponents, former columnist said decision of majority of Pakistani people should be respected, considered as final and accepted by all quarters, saying it was the people of Pakistan who would decide whether the government was good or bad.

“And it is the people of Pakistan who would decide that who would rule in this country at an appropriate time, not before and not after that appropriate time”, he declared, indicating that elections would be held as per schedule and people of Pakistan would decide whether to change the government or they were satisfied with its performance.

Terming the launch of thematic calendar a good effort to introduce Pakistan movement and struggle of Pakistan among doctors and common people, he said it was an “ideological tonic”, prepared by a pharmaceutical company with the help of some literary personalities and should be followed by other medicine firms in the country also.

“My ministry; National History and Literary Heritage is a poor ministry and we don’t have huge financial resources at our disposal. You people have taken out a masterpiece in the form of thematic calendar and I would urge you to collaborate with us also in preparing more such valuable, historic masterpieces”, he said and offered Adbi Forum and a pharmaceutical company to use title of ministry on the thematic calendar.

Irfan Siddiqui also expressed grief over loss of 48 lives in PIA plane crash near Abbottabad, including death of preacher and former signer Junaid Jamshed, saying entire nation was mourning the deaths of such a large number of people in an unfortunate incident.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Organiser Khwaja Razi Haider said they were bringing thematic calendars for last 17 years in order to promote literature, habit of reading and promote ideology of Pakistan to promote soft image of the country.

Syed Jamshed Ahmed said their company was behind creation of thematic calendars for last 17 years in order to promote various themes, including Islamic ideology, ideology of Pakistan, love of art and literature and bring peace and harmony in the country.  

“By bringing out this calendar regularly for last 17 years, we have no monetary benefits. We are doing purely for the society, our friends in the field of medicine and common people as part of our social responsibility”, Syed Jamshed Ahmed said. 

Prof Dr Asma Gul said it was heartening to learn that a pharmaceutical company was involved in literary activities, saying they also held book festivals, literary activities and promote reading habits, which was extremely commendable.Dozens of doctors and physicians as well as pharmacists from various hospitals and health facilities attended the thematic calendar launch.