Army answerable to people, parliament: COAS
1,552 viewsBy jazbablog - Wed Jul 06, 8:45 pm
Swat: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Wednesday reiterating army’s commitment to fighting militancy said that army is answerable to the people and their representatives in the Parliament.
“Pakistan Army being a National Army, derives its strength from the people of Pakistan and is answerable to the people and their representatives in the Parliament”, COAS said while addressing a seminar on “National Seminar on De-radicalization” in Swat on Wednesday.
He said accordingly, Pakistan Army considers peoples’ support vital for its operations against terrorists, and believes that only the people of Pakistan can determine the National interest and Army’s role in their achievement.
He pointed out that the region was under militants’ control and government’s writ was nowhere. ‘Pakistan Army conducted operation against those miscreants and flushed them out.’
Three-month long military operation made Swat peaceful, he said.
In his address he said Swat was virtually lost to terrorists, writ of Govt was ceased to exist, Police and other Govt functionaries had almost stopped functioning.
In order to re-establish writ of the Govt, eliminate miscreants and restore general public’s confidence, the largest Pakistani counter insurgency operation was launched by the Army, involving approximately three divisions i.e. 30,000 troops supported by Artillery, combat aviation and air force, COAS said.
Within three months, Swat stood restored. 2.4 million displaced persons were managed, and helped safely return to their homes.75% of the IDPs were looked after by extended families. I think it is difficult to find a parallel in history considering the magnitude and scale of operation in a short time of 3 months.
Chief of Army Staff underlined that Pakistan Army suffered 985 casualties (including 228 officers and men killed and 757 wounded) with highest officers to troop’s casualty ratio 1: 8 in known history. Additionally, there were 595 casualties of other LEAs and 981 civilians lost their lives. When we were still in the recovery process, Swat was hit by the worst floods in its history. It further compounded the problem.
He said that De-Radicalization, as a process, is gaining eminence in many parts of the world. There is general consensus in societies that the national security interests are better served by de-indoctrinating and re-integrating the radicals back into the society
It will be prudent for all elements of National power and the National to take a holistic view of, National Security, within the purview of’ State as well as Human Security’ in modern times, no single organ of the State, is configured to mount a wholesome response to the challenges confronting National Security
Army is following a well thought out campaign plan, which is succeeding and providing space to other organs of State which must expeditiously build on military success to achieve during peace and stability.
While we have taken the first step here in Swat by initiating de-radicalization program, it needs support and initiative of the society, intellectuals and policy makers to take the lead and put into effect a counter-radicalization construct, not only to sustain the de-radicalization effort, but also to assure a free and progressive future for Pakistan.
Pakistan‘s commitment to war against Al-Qaeda and its affiliates is total and unwavering. Pakistan firmly believes in taking stern action against all terrorists groups. Pakistan Army is determined to lead the fight on terror in partnership with other law enforcement agencies and in line with the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, he stressed.
COAS advocating for dialogue said, “ Let me reiterate that there is no military solution to terrorism since military strategy can only provide enabling environment. The menace has to be tackled in the domain of National security which warrants a comprehensive response entailing synergy by all elements of National power.|
Paying great tributes to the resilience and sacrifices of valiant people of Swat to Pakistan Army Shuhada and their families he said the debt owed to them can only be repaid by achieving and ensuring lasting peace in Swat as well as in Pakistan. De-radicalization is therefore, a step towards that end, Chief of Army Staff concluded.
This is a very healthy statement given by the army chief. Army is going in the right direction and its important that the army realizes that its an institution. There job is to protect the country from internal and external threats and after this statement it seems that the army wants to stay away from politics which is certainly a good sign.