ISLAMABAD: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has said that the army continues to support the government, "whenever asked to, as per the law and guidelines of the constitution".
"Our actions are guided by the Constitution and the national interest of Pakistan. You will appreciate that today Pakistan is, Alhamdullilah, secure from military point of view. We continue to support the Government, whenever asked to, as per the law and guidelines of the Constitution," the COAS said, while addressing the passing-out parade held at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, Abbottabad, according to the ISPR.
In his address, the army chief stated that Pakistan Army not only defeated the scourge of terrorism but also gave a "bloody nose" to a five times bigger army in February 2019.
He said that Pakistan Army was a true reflection of a proud nation.
"From the all volunteer induction, to the ratio of each province represented in your rank and file; from Madrassah to Public School background; from the son of a humble worker to the son of an affluent person and even more importantly the ward of a Shaheed; you are a true microcosm of Pakistan," he told the passed-out cadets.
"I count it as a great honour that we stand before the nation as a trusted and accountable institution. Therefore, regardless of our failings and triumphs, we stand to give our best, whenever we are called upon to do so," he added.
He pointed out that Pakistan is a developing country "but our people have big hearts".
"They will always respect and honour you, even in your time of test and trial. You have to maintain their sacred trust with unflinching commitment and total loyalty," the army chief further told the cadets.
He added, "We are in a situation which is termed by our enemy as 'No Peace, no War'." In fact, he added, "we have snatched the peace from the jaws of war and we will protect it with our lives".
"At the same time, you must realize that peace is not an end in itself. Our decades of efforts will be wasted if we are unable to protect the base from where our nation will rise to the heights of economic sovereignty and ideological maturity thus truly becoming Quaid's Pakistan," he stated.
Like many countries in the past, he stated that we have also [been] subjected to wars, terrorism and economic strangulation that have broken many countries.
"But Alhamdulillah! We have survived. Now, it is only through the synergy and actualization of our true national potential that we shall rise and progress," the army chief added.
He said that it gives him great satisfaction "to see various institutions of Pakistan gaining strength, not only standing without our support but rather, supporting us and at times, surpassing us in the service of the nation".
He pointed out that the enemies who plotted our doom and destruction were watching us with disdain.
"Having failed and feeling frustrated, they have now subjected us to a 24/7 hybrid war. This war is not fought in the battle fields but in the minds," he added.
In previous wars, the COAS pointed out, soldiers were taking the brunt on the frontline while in this new war, however, leadership at all levels was the target.
"It is a huge challenge that you will be confronted with from the day one. Please keep in mind that not only you have to discern light from the darkness, but also protect your men from sedition," he further asked the cadets.
"The best way to do it is to just follow the SOPs, traditions and time tested ethos of the Army. Remember, we are all soldiers of Pakistan regardless of our caste, creed, sect and ethnicity and we will always stand together as one, as this is our strength," the army chief told the cadets.
He said that the objective of hybrid war was to target the sense of hope in Pakistan and to perpetuate the perception of "Yahan Kuch Acha Nahi ho Sakta".
"Let me tell you, "Yahan Sub Acha Hoga". We Pakistanis always find a way, and that we will InshaAllah," he asserted.
"But do not confuse sincere critique from Hybrid war. Most voices that might seem loud to you, come from a place of love, patriotism and trust and therefore must be heeded. We must listen to our people and apply corrections where needed. These voices are a proof that we are alive and well as a nation that is moving in the right direction. Our strength is our strong bond with our people, Constitution of our country, democracy and the democratic values that our people follow and therefore we shall defend this bond and our democratic values to the hilt," the COAS emphasised.
"We Pakistanis, have proved that we can do wonders when we keep national interest above our parochial, institutional and personal interests."
"Our fight against, terrorism, Covid, floods and our response to locust threat is a testimony to both our capacity to work and deliver...These are important undertakings and Pakistan Army is proud to support the nation as it has always supported us especially when we were fighting the physical enemies of Pakistan," he added.
"It is my prayer and wish that tomorrow, when one of you stands at my place, you stand as the military leader of a Pakistan that has arrived at its rightful place as a happy and prosperous homeland where Muslims of South Asia will have finally found their panacea of a modern Islamic state but also, where all minorities are equally happy and are considered valuable citizens - and where all institutions stand equally robust and capable in service of the nation," the army chief told the cadets.
The COAS reviewed the parade and gave awards to distinguished cadets. The coveted "Sword of Honour" was awarded to Academy Senior Under Officer Muhammad Faateh of 142nd PMA Long Course.
The President's Gold Medal to Battalion Senior Under Officer Junaid Khan of 142nd PMA Long Course, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Overseas Gold Medal to Under Officer Naazim Naseer of 142nd PMA Long Course from Maldives, Chief of Army Staff Cane to Company Junior Under Officer Tanawosh of 32nd Technical Graduate Course, and Commandant Cane awarded to Sargent Hamza Tariq of 61st Integrated Course, Company Sargent Major Ada Urooj of 16th Lady Cadet Course, and Company Under Officer Mehwish Anjum of 1st Basic Military Training Course.
Passed out cadets were of 142nd PMA Long Course, 32nd Technical Graduate Course, 61st Integrated Course, 16th Lady Cadet Course, and 1st Basic Military Training Course. Cadets from Palestine, Maldives, Qatar, and Sri Lanka, were also among the passed out. Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa was the chief guest on the occasion.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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