RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday said the army has started its “catharsis” process and expected political parties to follow suit and reflect on their behavior.
During his last address as Army Chief during the Defense and Martyrs’ Day celebrations at General Headquarters Rawalpindi, he said that it is a fact that mistakes have been made by every institution including political parties and civil society.
He said that no single party can bring Pakistan out of the current economic crisis, adding that lessons should be learned from such mistakes so that the nation can move forward.
COAS further said that Pakistan has to end the atmosphere of intolerance and adopt a true democratic culture.
“In 2018, the winning party was elected using RTS as an excuse,” he recalled, adding that after the no-confidence motion was thrown out, one party replaced the other ” Named “Imported”.
He said that we need to reject this attitude, winning and losing is part of politics and all parties should have the courage to accept their defeat or victory so that in the next election an elected government is formed instead of an imported or selected government. .
COAS said that armies are rarely criticized around the world, but Pakistan Army is often criticized.
I think the reason for this is the involvement of the army in politics. That is why in February the army decided not to interfere in politics. I assure you that we [the Army] are and will remain strongly committed to this.”
He added that instead of welcoming the constitutional process, some factions criticized the army for using “inappropriate and indecent language”.
The COAS said that it is the right of people and political parties to criticize the army, but one should be careful in choosing words.
General Bajwa said a “fake and false narrative was concocted to create chaos in the country” and reiterated that the military leadership could do anything but go against the county.
“Now the escape route is being taken from this false narrative. Senior military leadership is being addressed with inappropriate titles.
Condemning the PTI’s “foreign conspiracy” narrative, General Bajwa said it was impossible “or more appropriately it would be a sin” if the army remained silent during a foreign conspiracy in the country.
Pakistan Army had ample opportunities and resources to respond to this inappropriate attack. However, the military leadership showed courage in the wider interest of the country by refraining from making negative statements.
However, General Bajwa cautioned that everyone should keep in mind that even this patience has its limits, “I want to put aside this inappropriate and offensive behavior against me and the army and move forward.” ‘
Touching on history during his address, the outgoing Army Chief said that he wanted to correct some facts regarding the events of 1971.
1971 was not a military but a political failure. Our army fought bravely in East Pakistan and made unparalleled sacrifices. The number of fighting troops was not 92,000 but only 34,000,” the COAS said, highlighting the figure as 250,000 against Indian and 200,000 Mukti Bahini troops.
He further said that the Indian Army Chief also acknowledged the sacrifices of Pakistan Army.
Despite the criticism, the outgoing Army Chief emphasized the round-the-clock services of the army and said that the nation has not recognized the sacrifices of these soldiers till date, which is a great injustice.
He further said that the army has always served the country beyond its mandate and will continue to do so.
Nations that forget their martyrs are destroyed. In times of war and peace, the Pakistan Army is always engaged in the defense of the motherland by sacrificing their lives, he added that behind peace in the country are the sacrifices of martyrs.
General Bajwa said during his address that the main function of the armed forces is to protect the geographical borders.
At the start of the ceremony, COAS paid tribute to the martyrs of the armed forces and assured their families that Pakistan Army will never leave the bereaved alone. He also apologized for the delay in the Defense and Martyrs’ Day ceremony due to floods.
“First of all, I want to pay tribute to the martyrs who are the pride of Pakistan and acknowledge the patience of their bereaved families,” he said, assuring that the Army would continue to meet their financial needs.
General Bajwa said that today I am giving my last address as the Army Chief… I am proud to have served as the commander of this great army for six years, General Bajwa added. And peace sacrifices are recognized in villages. of his martyrs.
Defense and Martyrs Day Ceremony
The event was postponed due to the devastating floods that swept across Pakistan following heavy monsoon rains in September.
At the beginning of the event, a video highlighting the devastation caused by floods in Pakistan was played. Video tributes were paid to the military personnel who participated in the relief, rescue and recovery efforts during the floods.
During the event, a documentary titled Welfare was also played in which serving and retired military officials participated in the GHQ. The documentary highlighted the Army’s efforts for the welfare of its soldiers and their families.
It was General Bajwa’s last Defense and Martyrs Day ceremony as Pakistan’s army chief and comes just six days before he retires from the post on November 29.
He was appointed as the army chief in 2016 for a three-year term, which was extended by three years after Parliament passed legislation on the tenure of service chiefs on the orders of the Supreme Court.
