ISLAMABAD, Aug 13: Against the backdrop of swirling rumours of an
impending counter-militancy operation, Chief of the Army Staff Gen
Ashfaq Parvez Kayani used his Independence Day message to renew
military`s pledge to eradicate militancy and extremism from the country.
`We
realise that the most difficult task for any army is to fight against
its own people. But this happens as a last resort. Our real objective is
to restore peace in these areas so that people can lead normal lives,`
Gen Kayani said while addressing the Azadi Parade at the military
academy in Kakul.
`No state can afford a parallel system or a militant force,` Gen Kayani said.
Renewal
of military`s commitment to war on terror was coincidentally made at
the Kakul academy which is barely a couple of miles away from the place
where Osama bin Laden lived for years.
Speculations about a major
military operation to clear North Waziristan of terrorist sanctuaries
have intensified following improvement in ties with the United States,
particularly after ISI chief Lt-Gen Zaheerul Islam`s visit to Washington
earlier this month.
Although it was quite obvious from Gen
Kayani`s speech that he was building the national mood for probably
thetoughest part of the counter-militancy operations in the country, it
was unclear if sanctuaries in Teerah Valley or North Waziristan would be
the next target.
According to military`s own assessment, it
controls 86 per cent of the area in tribal region while nine per cent is
contested and five per cent is held by militants mostly loyal to the
Taliban.
The figures, however, are contested by local sources.
Reports
suggest that last week`s corps commanders` conference also took some
important decisions about the future of counter-militancy operations in
the tribal belt.
Gen Kayani underscored that the fight against
terrorists and extremists was one of the entire nation and not only of
the army. `The fight against extremism and terrorism is our own war and
we are right in fighting it. Let there be no doubt about it, otherwise
we`ll be divided and taken towards civil war. Our minds should be clear
on this.
The top commander who had been critical of the
performance of civilian law-enforcement agencies in the past said
sacrifices in the war on terror could bear fruit only when the civil
administration functioned independently without military assistance.
He
regretted the absence of effective counter-terrorism legislation in the
country, a situation which has quite often worked to the advantage of
terroristsand thrown up issues like `missing persons Taking a swipe at
the government`s poor performance, Gen Kayani said `critical economic
situation, corruption and aggravating situation of the civic amenities`
had prevented the countrymen from looking ahead. He listed protection of
national integrity and unity as the biggest challenges.
The
military which has ruled the country for decades since independence in
1947 is quite often blamed by politicians and civil society for many of
the ills currently confronting the nation.
The army chief
candidly accepted that `all are to share the blame some more, some
less`. But instead of indulging in the blame game, he said, it was time
that `we stand up as a nation`.
UNFULFILLED AGENDA: Gen Kayani
said the purpose behind creation of Pakistan was not only to carve out a
piece of land but also to establish a welfare Islamic state, where
foundation for a tolerant and modern society could be laid. He, however,
noted that the latter part of the 1947 agenda could not materialise.
Although
there was no reference to the controversy about Hindus migrating to
India, the army chief in broad terms said Pakistan was to be a country
where not only Muslims but where life and property of minorities were
safe and they could freely practise their faith.
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