Aamir Khan, my first cousin, was an army Lance Naik (a non-commissioned personnel), born after many years of his parents’ marriage. His father was a graduate of early sixties however, Amir could not prove himself a good student. So, seeking a regular job, he joined Pakistan army as a soldier. Got married and after having three children, he often used to face financial problems coupled with some domestic issues.
During the last years of his service, he tried to get himself transferred to Abbottabad being near to his native place Mansehra in KPK, believing he would retire soon and would join his parents nearby. However, despite his desperate efforts, Aamir could not be transferred as the whole unit moves together. So, his army unit was posted to Swat where an army operation was to take place in the year 2009. As the fate prevailed, Aamir Khan got martyred in Swat valley just a few months ahead of his retirement leaving behind old parents, a widow, two daughters and a minor son who is now in an Army Cadet College keeping alive the legacy of his father.
Read more: Pak Army to safeguard security and safety of its people: COAS
And such stories of sacrifices still go on and the list of Shuhadas (Martyrs) grows every day. The very first paragraph of a study carried out in the year 2011 by Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, Harvard Kennedy School titled as “An Introduction to Pakistan’s Army”, describes that:
“Pakistan’s military is a central actor in many of today’s most pressing security challenges, and few institutions face such extreme pressures from such diverse forces. In recent years, the military has been asked to simultaneously combat a vicious internal insurgency, suppress international terrorist groups, and respond to Pakistan’s worst floods in eighty years, all while squaring off against a much larger rival in one of the most strategically complex regions in the world”
Surrounded by so much uncertainty in neighboring countries, had we not had an organized and strong army, the infiltrated enemies would have wreaked havoc within the country in such hostile environment
While Pakistan’s two neighboring states, India and Iran, are currently run by religious people and in case same happens in Afghanistan in near future, there will be three such countries surrounding Pakistan with combined boundary of 6700 kms necessitating Pakistan to be a security state.
Read more: Nobody uses Pakistani soil to attack anyone: Pak Army warns US
Real threat
To cope up with such complex security situation, new doctrines were analyzed by security experts to provide a comprehensive and inclusive strategy against the infiltrating enemy forces supported by foreign adversaries. This development began in 2010–11 for the new combat doctrine. In 2013, the new combat doctrine, the “Threat Matrix” was unveiled, which was the first time in its history that security analysts felt that Pakistan faces a real threat from within, a threat that is concentrated in areas along western borders. The Threat Matrix doctrine analyzes the military’s comprehensive operational priorities.
The ignorant faction
Instead of irresponsible statements, the political leaders should raise their intellect level to be able to guide the army. One has to accede that PM Imran Khan, besides significant domestic governance issues, has, through his correct rationale and eloquence, led the country at international arena convincingly and brought the enemies on the defensive with the Army fully behind him.
Read more: Are Nawaz Sharif & Maryam Nawaz deliberately targeting Pakistan Army?
Tapping the capacities of civilians
The success of foundations and housing schemes of defense institutions should be taken positively and be competed with rather than being criticized. Not out of place to mention here that just one civilian individual Malik Riaz has successfully developed quality housing schemes, single handedly matching that of defense housing schemes across Pakistan so much so that DHA Rawalpindi is managed by Bahria Town.
Way forward
Surrounded by so much uncertainty in neighboring countries, had we not had an organized and strong army, the infiltrated enemies would have wreaked havoc within the country in such a hostile environment. While backing the army, Pakistani government needs to bring about revolutionary reforms in executive, judiciary and other institutions so that true spirit of democracy i.e. equal opportunity to quality education, justice, health and wealth is available to all.
Since neighbors cannot be changed hence, it is required that education be made available across Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran to be coordinated by Pakistan in a joint venture with international organizations for a safer region and the world.
Read more: Why is the Sharif family defaming Army?
Mushtaq Jumma is an Ex-Airliner and Business Consultant. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space.