dr.umer
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2 Sep 2008
By Zaheerul Hassan
Bob Woodward writes in his book Bush at War that after myth of 9 /11 US expected Pakistan to be her alley in war against terror, therefore Deputy Sectary of State Richard L Armitage has invited General Mehmood Ahmad former ISI Chief to the State Department and asked to pass this message to General Musharraf, then president of Pakistan –“with us or against us” .President Musharraf had chosen US partnership to save his country. Any how the policies on war against terror never have been supported by the general masses, thus any reader can well imagine that what a challenging task being faced by Pakistani Security Forces under the present adverse security environment. The forces are fighting this war four fronts, firstly Al-Qaeda, secondly local Taliban mainly uneducated lot, thirdly state sponsored terrorism launched in collaboration with CIA, RAW, Mossad and Khad since 2004 , and fourthly opportunists politicians. The purpose of this article is not justifying the Musharaff‘s Policy of war against terror but is just touching the role of security forces those are busy in fighting against the militants. The fighting against extremism was the time of the need so blaming for indulging in war against terrorism by the former government will never been taken as wrong in future history. Yes, at the same I would like to highlight here that slowly and gradually government has to take the steps to pull their hands out from the support of Americans and its allies. In fact role of the security forces remained absolutely in right direction, positive and courageous during war against terror.
Pakistan Security Forces suffered heavy toll of lives and material from 2004 – 2008. Analysis of the situation reveal that it was because of implementation of some of the wrong policies of government and irresponsible attitude displayed by some of the electronic TV channel , because militant organizations and their leaders have been presented on the media as hero’s whereas actions against the terrorists have been presented as brutality. On August 31, 2008 in an conference held at NUST while throwing light “Media and Terrorism”, Federal Minster for Information and Broadcasting Sherri Rehman very rightly said that the government is a primary guarantor of public and national security was forging a partnership with media to protect people against onslaught of terrorism which is playing havoc on their lives, minds and spirit. On same day she also avowed that Media should play a responsible role during this war against terror. She very rightly stated that media should stop covering banned organizations and do not project militants as heroes.
Role of Pakistan Army in governing and serving Pakistan, particularly after the appointment of new Army Chief remained very glaring, change of past and present role is very much visible, . Since he took over the charge of Pak Army, his each and every moment is being scrutinized and commenting upon by the politicians, media, masses of Pakistan and even the foreign political and military leadership. The General paid attention improving the basic the professional competency in relation to current doctrine of fighting terrorism, like reversion of serving officers back to army who were posted to various civil departments, disengagement of army and its intelligence agencies in recently held elections elections, asking army personnel to refrain from meeting politicians and any participation in political activities which can bring bad name to the institution. Revolutionary and praiseworthy steps were taken by the General, to elevate the life of soldiers through improvement of administration, introducing number of welfare measures to raise their morale and declaring years 2008 as a soldier year. The steps taken were highly appreciated and well received in serving and retired army lot as well.
Top US military commander Admiral Mike Mullen appreciated Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani by saying that he was endowed with extraordinary qualities exceptionally committed to his principles and goals which, in terms of security challenges, were to do what was the best for Pakistan. The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Mike Mullen, met with the Chief of Staff for the Pakistani Army, General Ashfaq Kayani, on August 27, 2008. It was their fifth meeting with Mullen held on the aircraft Carrier in India Ocean to better understand the exact position of cross-border Taliban violence and the problems being faces by Pakistan and its Security Forces. At this occasions top American commander in Iraq, General David Petreaus, as well as other ranking U.S. and Pakistani officers were also present there. Most probably this time Admiral Mullen might have made Pentagon and presses reporters understand about the efforts of Pakistan Government and its Security Forces in relation to war against extremism . Pakistan itself is facing severe cross border terrorism due to Afghanistan and Indian joint venture against her. During this war number of Soldiers have scarified their lives in last few years while eliminating the militants from the area , thousands of people have been displaced as result of fight amongst terrorists and the security Forces . Mullen said that the Indian Ocean meeting was not about U.S. commanders demanding greater action from their Pakistani colleagues, but rather an effort to discuss how best the two countries can confront the problem together.
On August 30, 2008 Prime Minster Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani while addressing International Psycho – Trauma Conference said that the people of Pakistan have been traumatized by some of the worst terrorist attacks of human history and we have lost greatest political and military leaders . He further revealed that Armed Forces of Pakistan have been the forefront of fighting against terrorism and providing disaster relief and rehabilitation to the affecters of earthquake of 2005.
After smooth conduct of election and transaction of power to democratic representatives Security Forces has disengaged themselves from the government affairs and on the direction of federal and provincial governments paying their full attention in curbing the terrorism from the country. Thus army image in the public rose upward.
Pakistan has employed more than one lac troops and US led forces are just 70000 in numbers who are involved in fighting against the militants. Apart from civilian losses, displacement of people form the tribal belt, Pakistan forces including police force has suffered more than 10 thousand live losses which include on general, two Brigadiers, Deputy Inspector General Police, number of juniors officers, Junior and non commissioned officers and jawans. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Major General Athar Abbas in a news briefing very rightly indicated that militants are being supported from the Central Asian Region and Afghanistan is failed to control their crossing.
In short, Pakistan Security Forces and its intelligence agencies role in establishing the peace and saving motherland will certainly be remember as tremendous character of future Pakistan History. Political forces should try to back their forces while launching campaign against the militants if they want to root out the militancy. Electronic media should play responsible part while giving correct picture, which should be helpful in creating stability and curbing the tendency of promoting terrorism in the country. The coverage and interview of terrorist’s leaders should be stopped which will be service to the nation. At the same time Ex-servicemen Association has also been requested to spend their time in playing their positive role for integrity, development and welfare of retired soldiers and their families instead indulging themselves in politics and playing in the hands of anti government forces. If they believe in democracy then let the government decide to political and other issues through parliament. They must consider the elected representatives as true Pakistani too rather than creating and doubting their loyalty to the country. US must provide and support Pakistan with latest technology to tackle the extremism from the region.
_ Alarab-London_
