SHAFAQNA PAKISTAN (Shia News Agency)
Muhammad Jamil
Military had been criticized by some politicians, analysts and media men for, what they called, security lapses after terrorists’ attacks on GHQ Rawalpindi, Mehran Naval base or other installations. When US Navy Seals attacked Abbottabad Compound and NATO forces attacked Salala check posts, they said that military failed to respond adequately, not realizing that it was not possible to declare war on a super power. The debate is going on in section of print and electronic media, whereby chattering classes try to convey an impression that during military dispensations as well as during tenures of elected governments, it was military that took decisions in the realm of security and foreign policy, and should be held responsible for the failures. Anyhow, when the political governments hesitate in taking difficult decisions, somebody has to do it to fill the void.
It has to be mentioned that basically foreign policy is determined by the foreign office that have hundreds of embassies and consulates throughout the world, and get first hand information from them. As regards matters of security, military and its agencies give input about threat perceptions, and more often than not foreign policy is related to security matters, especially in case of a hostile country like India. Chattering classes failed to realize that throughout the world, be it the US, western countries and for that matter India, military informs the governments about its threat perceptions, and decisions with regard to security and even foreign policy are taken on the basis of its input. Former Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh had agreed with Pakistan to resolve Siachen issue, but Indian military threw the spanner in the works saying that India will become vulnerable.
Today, a section of media is trying to stir debate that COAS General Raheel Sharif is running security as well foreign policy of Pakistan; and they criticize the elected government for having given space to military due to its incompetence. The problem is that if timely decisions are not taken, and a lot of time is wasted in reaching consensus militants get time to reorganize.
The fact remains that elected government has been given the mandate to take decisions to protect the life and property of the citizens. The governments throughout the world tend to take timely decisions to meet the challenge faced by the state. Anyhow, when people were being killed by the terrorists; when mosques, imambargahs and shrines were being attacked, questions were being raised that despite spending huge sums on defence, armed forces are not taking action against them.
By prevailing upon the government to start operation against militants, COAS Raheel Sharif performed his duty. He has the blessings of the elected government in his efforts to assure the US, the West and Afghanistan that Pakistan is sincere in eliminating the scourge of terrorism and would take action against terrorists without discrimination. In fact, nation feels proud on the success of the COAS in debunking the propaganda against Pakistan by removing the cobwebs of misunderstanding and distrust. General Raheel Sharif deserves appreciation, as honor bestowed on him is honour for Pakistan. Those who try to create misunderstanding between military and the government are doing disservice to Pakistan.
Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif has had visited Afghanistan, the US, UK and China during the last three months, and had fruitful discussions with civil and military leaderships of those countries. A chronology of COAS General Raheel Sharif would be appropriate. On November 14, 2014, Afghan president during his visit to Pakistan visited General Headquarters.
The Afghan president and COAS discussed security situation in the region and bilateral relations during their meeting. President Ghani appreciated Pakistan’s efforts to fight terrorism and sacrifices rendered by the nation. President Ghani said Afghanistan wants to bolster security and defence ties with Pakistan including cooperation in training and border management. He also assured of Afghanistan’s support to jointly curb the menace of terrorism.
Upon his arrival at the GHQ, the Afghan president was received by COAS General Raheel Sharif and was presented a guard of honour by a contingent of the Pakistan Army.
General Raheel Sharif, during his visit to the United States on November 17, 2014 had met Chairman Joint Chiefs of staff General martin Dempsey. During meetings with officials, the army chief discussed the operation conducted against militants by the Pakistan Army and the success achieved so far. He also met Secretary of state John Kerry, which shows American leadership’s trust in Pakistan Army Chief Raheel Sharif. On November 20, 2014, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif was conferred the US Legion of Merit medal in recognition of his brave leadership, sagacity, vision and efforts for peace and stability in the region. He also reviewed a military parade with gun salute during a guard of honour ceremony presented by the US Army.
On December 17, 2014 Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif had visited Afghanistan and held separate meetings with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and General John F. Campbell, ISAF commander.
He informed Afghan president that terrorists that attacked Army Public School Peshawar were in contact with the handlers in Afghanistan. Afghan President assured General Raheel Sharif that Afghan soil would not be allowed for terrorists’ activities against Pakistan and any signature found in this regard will be eliminated. Afghan government conducted operation against TTP militants in Kunar, and killed and arrested many militants.
On January 15, 2015, during his three day tour of England, the Army chief met a host of high ranking British officials, including Prime Minister David Cameron and National Security Advisor Sir Kim Darroch at 10 Downing Street. The Army chief raised the issue of action against anti-Pakistan elements and proscribed organisations operating from outside Pakistan. Further, he sought support in choking funding to terror groups. General Sharif also held extensive discussions with UK’s Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nicholas Houghton on regional security, stability, and Afghanistan. The Army chief also held meetings with Permanent Secretary at the Home Office Mark Sedwill and Director General for Security and Counter-Terrorism Charles Farr.
On 26th January 2015, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during a meeting with the army chief, said that Pakistan is China’s irreplaceable, all-weather friend, and that both the countries are part of a community of shared heritage. According to Director-General Inter Services Public Relations Major General Asim Bajwa, army chief General Raheel Sharif met senior Chinese leaders, including Chairman People’s Conference HE Mr Yu Zhengsheng, State Leader Yu Zhengsheng and the Chinese foreign minister, among others. Meng Jianzhu, member Politburo, the second highest council within the Communist Party assured the army chief that “China has consistent policy on Pakistan that is beyond individuals, adding that Pakistan’s concern is China’s concern. Pakistan has always stood by China, terming it as “the most reliable partner.”
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