Veterans of Pakistan (VOP) on Sunday welcomed the appointments of Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee and Chief of Army Staff and expressed confidence that they will take the on-going war against terrorism to a successful conclusion. They also hoped that the newly-appointed military leaders will further enhance fighting capabilities of the military in view of the threatening posture adopted by India.
This was observed in a meeting of VOP formerly Pakistan Ex Serviceman Association (PESA) led by its Senior Vice President, Vice Admiral Ahmad Tasnim. Other participants included Lieutenant General Naeem Akbar, Air Marshal Masood Akhtar, Brigadier Mian Mahmood, former ambassador Salim Nawaz Gandapur, Brigadier Simon Sharaf, Brigadier Masud ul Hassan and Lieutenant Colonel Shahid Rehman. All the participants representing the three services welcomed the appointments and expressed confidence in their professional capabilities.
They also paid glowing tributes to General Raheel Sharif on the way he led the Army through an extremely difficult phase that has raised its respect and prestige among the people. They expressed the hope that after retirement, he and General Rashid Mahmood would be able to devote their attention to look after welfare interests of the retired servicemen in more effectively.
The veterans also expressed surprise and disappointment at the double standards of our friends in the West. They waste no time to blame Pakistan, directly or indirectly, for any act of terrorism in India, without carrying out any independent investigation. On the other hand, the Western powers totally ignore the Indian army's barbarous actions against the people of occupied Kashmir and aggressive actions against Pakistan by actively supporting acts of terrorism and unprovoked firing on across Line of Control. Instead of condemning India for violation of human rights and UN Security Council's resolutions, they routinely throw the issue on Pakistan by advising solution through bilateral talks.
The veterans lauded government's efforts to improve our relations with Russia and other countries of Central Asia, particularly with reference to CPEC. Their access to Arabian Sea though Gwadar and development of military links with Russia; point towards a welcome re-adjustment in our strategic direction.