The Pakistan Ex-servicemen Association (PESA) on Friday regretted the reaction of some of the politicians to Corps Commanders concern over slow implementation of National Action Plan (NAP). "Some politicians are terming the concern expressed by army as interference in political affairs which is contrary to the facts as it is a matter of national survival," it said.
"It seems that the politicians have no concern for the lives being sacrificed by troops, hardships being faced by the displaced persons and exorbitant financial cost of the on-going military operation," said President PESA Lieutenant General Ali Kuli Khan (Retd). Speaking to the members and Executive Council, he said PESA had already been pointing that if follow up action was not taken by civilian agencies; all sacrifices and efforts under Operation Zarb-e-Azb could go waste.
General Khan said "if our government thinks that Army commanders' concern was not justified then it must take the nation into confidence by issuing a White Paper describing progress on each of the 20 points of the much trumpeted NAP instead of reacting in a negative manner by criticising the Army for speaking the truth." During the meeting PESA members agreed with the Government's point of view that implementation of NAP was a shared responsibility of all national institutions, while remaining within the ambit of the Constitution.
However, they said the government needed to explain about the share of the plan implemented by other civilian institutions. "This is considered absolutely necessary as no wars can be won by military alone." The former servicemen observed that all those criticizing the mild concern would be well advised to consider that the recent performance of armed forces and their approval with the common man. "No one should align himself with those forces which have misused their influence and looted Pakistan's wealth and future."
Vice Admiral l Ahmad Tasnim (Retd), Brigadier Mian Mahmud (Retd), Lieutenant General Naeem Akbar (Retd), Brigadier Arbi Khan (Retd), Brigadier Simon Sharaf (Retd), Major Farouk Hamid Khan (Retd), Major Muhammad Akram (Retd) and Brigadier Masud ul Hassan (Retd)were also present at the meeting.