ISLAMABAD:
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Raheel Sharif’s address to the Martyrs Day
function was different in at least one important aspect from his
predecessor Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s speech delivered on the similar
occasion at the same venue a year back – support to the freedom of the
media and responsible journalism and appreciation of journalists’
sacrifices.
This difference, emerging from a comparison of the two discourses, was obviously included in Raheel Sharif’s relatively brief remarks in view of the post-Hamid Mir assassination attempt situation. And its specific objective was to allay fears and apprehensions that the freedom of media was under threat from the Pakistan Army. His declaration will be put to test in the days to come. The independent media is optimistic that he will pass the test with flying colours.
“The media has played a key role in rallying public opinion on matters of national security. We support the freedom of the press and responsible journalism and appreciate (journalists’) sacrifices,” he said.
When he spoke about the media’s key role, he clearly talked about it in whole, without making any distinction or discrimination or excluding any group or outlet from it.
When Raheel Sharif addressed the martyrs’ day ceremony, the political atmosphere and milieu is entirely different from the one that prevailed when Kayani spoke. At the time, fresh general elections were just ten days away, and Kayani felt the dire need to assure again and again that the polls would be held on the given day. On the eve of every parliamentary polls in Pakistan, certain vested interests keep harping on the theme that the electoral exercise would not be held at all.
When the incumbent army chief chaired the martyrs’ day function, a large number of “unemployed job-seekers” have been busy for several days, drumming up the grim scenario that the democratic dispensation was about to be derailed by an unconstitutional intervention. They kept struggling hard to push Pakistan back to a dark era.
Therefore, to give a telling message to this disgruntled lot Raheel Sharif deemed it fit to reaffirm the armed forces’ commitment to ensuring the stability of democracy and supremacy of the Constitution and said that “this is the only way to cement our place among the developed nations.” He also lauded the efforts of the media and civil society towards the greater goal of nation-building.
While burning in the fire of jealousy and to buoy up their ratings and business interests at the cost of the Jang Group, some private TV channels crossed all limits of professionalism and decency in slamming the Geo. Geo’s few hours’ transmission in the wake of the murder attempt on Hamid Mir was made an excuse to hammer the outlet for over a week and to provoke the security establishment against the media house. The army chief’s statement ensuring freedom of the media to all and sundry may be an eye-opener for them as it has nailed their campaign.
Keeping in view the then prevailing environment, the COAS had to assure: the army stands committed to wholeheartedly assist and support the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections, to the best of its capabilities and remaining within the confines of the Constitution; this support will solely be aimed at strengthening democracy and rule of law; like every Pakistani the army has endeavoured to strengthen democracy in the last five years with the hope that the next elections would steer Pakistan towards betterment; now, once the destination is in sight, we must not err in fulfilling our responsibilities towards the election process; the real virtue of democracy ultimately lies in the safety and welfare of the masses.”
Raheel Sharif and Kayani gave a clear message to the militants and non-state actors in their own ways and words. “All groups must accept the writ of the State failing which the army is more than capable of dealing with threats from insurgents; the army supports all efforts to eliminate the threat of terrorism and restore peace in the country; today, we as a nation are faced with a war in which all institutions of the State are fighting alongside the armed forces, which stand for peace, but we are always ready to respond to any acts of aggression,” the incumbent army chief said.
His predecessor had said he sincerely desired that all those who have strayed and picked up arms against the nation return to the national fold. This is only possible once they unconditionally submit to the State, its Constitution and the rule of law. There is no room for doubts when it comes to dealing with rebellion against the State.
The impression spread by the out-of-job lot that Defence Minister Khawaja M Asif is a pariah in the eyes of the army after his anti-Pervez Musharraf statements was also dispelled with his presence at the martyrs’ day function. He later tweeted: “yesterday attended a very touching ceremony.... remembering the heroes who gave ultimate sacrifice, so that we can live in security & peace...”
Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Sayed, who was also among the invitees, said in two tweets that attended Martyrs Day at GHQ, relaxed khaki-mufti interaction, good speech by Army Chief at moving ceremony for heroes in anti-terror fight; Martyrs Day, 5th in a row, is unique commemoration as it lauds both civilian & military martyrs + families & their sacrifices for motherland”.
This difference, emerging from a comparison of the two discourses, was obviously included in Raheel Sharif’s relatively brief remarks in view of the post-Hamid Mir assassination attempt situation. And its specific objective was to allay fears and apprehensions that the freedom of media was under threat from the Pakistan Army. His declaration will be put to test in the days to come. The independent media is optimistic that he will pass the test with flying colours.
“The media has played a key role in rallying public opinion on matters of national security. We support the freedom of the press and responsible journalism and appreciate (journalists’) sacrifices,” he said.
When he spoke about the media’s key role, he clearly talked about it in whole, without making any distinction or discrimination or excluding any group or outlet from it.
When Raheel Sharif addressed the martyrs’ day ceremony, the political atmosphere and milieu is entirely different from the one that prevailed when Kayani spoke. At the time, fresh general elections were just ten days away, and Kayani felt the dire need to assure again and again that the polls would be held on the given day. On the eve of every parliamentary polls in Pakistan, certain vested interests keep harping on the theme that the electoral exercise would not be held at all.
When the incumbent army chief chaired the martyrs’ day function, a large number of “unemployed job-seekers” have been busy for several days, drumming up the grim scenario that the democratic dispensation was about to be derailed by an unconstitutional intervention. They kept struggling hard to push Pakistan back to a dark era.
Therefore, to give a telling message to this disgruntled lot Raheel Sharif deemed it fit to reaffirm the armed forces’ commitment to ensuring the stability of democracy and supremacy of the Constitution and said that “this is the only way to cement our place among the developed nations.” He also lauded the efforts of the media and civil society towards the greater goal of nation-building.
While burning in the fire of jealousy and to buoy up their ratings and business interests at the cost of the Jang Group, some private TV channels crossed all limits of professionalism and decency in slamming the Geo. Geo’s few hours’ transmission in the wake of the murder attempt on Hamid Mir was made an excuse to hammer the outlet for over a week and to provoke the security establishment against the media house. The army chief’s statement ensuring freedom of the media to all and sundry may be an eye-opener for them as it has nailed their campaign.
Keeping in view the then prevailing environment, the COAS had to assure: the army stands committed to wholeheartedly assist and support the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections, to the best of its capabilities and remaining within the confines of the Constitution; this support will solely be aimed at strengthening democracy and rule of law; like every Pakistani the army has endeavoured to strengthen democracy in the last five years with the hope that the next elections would steer Pakistan towards betterment; now, once the destination is in sight, we must not err in fulfilling our responsibilities towards the election process; the real virtue of democracy ultimately lies in the safety and welfare of the masses.”
Raheel Sharif and Kayani gave a clear message to the militants and non-state actors in their own ways and words. “All groups must accept the writ of the State failing which the army is more than capable of dealing with threats from insurgents; the army supports all efforts to eliminate the threat of terrorism and restore peace in the country; today, we as a nation are faced with a war in which all institutions of the State are fighting alongside the armed forces, which stand for peace, but we are always ready to respond to any acts of aggression,” the incumbent army chief said.
His predecessor had said he sincerely desired that all those who have strayed and picked up arms against the nation return to the national fold. This is only possible once they unconditionally submit to the State, its Constitution and the rule of law. There is no room for doubts when it comes to dealing with rebellion against the State.
The impression spread by the out-of-job lot that Defence Minister Khawaja M Asif is a pariah in the eyes of the army after his anti-Pervez Musharraf statements was also dispelled with his presence at the martyrs’ day function. He later tweeted: “yesterday attended a very touching ceremony.... remembering the heroes who gave ultimate sacrifice, so that we can live in security & peace...”
Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) Secretary General Mushahid Hussain Sayed, who was also among the invitees, said in two tweets that attended Martyrs Day at GHQ, relaxed khaki-mufti interaction, good speech by Army Chief at moving ceremony for heroes in anti-terror fight; Martyrs Day, 5th in a row, is unique commemoration as it lauds both civilian & military martyrs + families & their sacrifices for motherland”.
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