chauvunist
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Chief of the Army Staff | General Raheel Sharif's Desk.
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fatman17
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not a ringing endoresement of the PM or the new CoAS, depending on your viewpoint!
Opinion
Of chiefs
Taj M Khattak
Saturday, December 07, 2013
Nawaz Sharif, in selection of the incumbent chief of the army staff, has once again fallen for instincts of personal preferences as opposed to the choices thrown up by institutional process. True, seniority is not a Quranic injunction but it is given due weightage universally and ignored only when the senior man happens to be of an infirm mind or flawed character.
The current decision may well be in accordance with the letter of the constitution but does not quite resonate with its spirit, since no man has the right to strike down another man with a stroke of a pen without a valid reason just because he has the discretion to do so.
But now the decision has been made and General Sharif has just begun the journey of leading the army for the next three years. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, harsh as it may seem, is believed by his detractors to have the potential of a driver who collides with a tree on a deserted track, even if that happens to be the only tree in sight.
Let’s hope that at some time in the future, not in our lifetime it would appear, the appointment of the army chief in Pakistan is a speculation-free affair and one in deference to the institutional process. There are many countries that have achieved this. There are some kinks as to why it is not being done in Pakistan but these difficulties are not insurmountable if only there is a will to streamline the process.
More significantly, the common thread running in Nawaz Sharif’s past experiences with the military has been that of an uninspiring impression of his interactions. It goes back to the efforts of the family patriarch, late Mian Muhammad Sharif, to adopt General Asif Nawaz Janjua as his third son through expensive gifts, as reported in a section of the media at the time. After those unsuccessful efforts, the relationship suffered an irreparable damage and was never the same.
In General Musharaf’s tenure, those with saner minds were appalled at the naiveté of the prime minister not to see through the plan during the infamous Kargil briefing, and even participating in the prayers for the success of the operation led by the most pious-looking from amongst the gang of four. The vibes emanating from his recent visit to GHQ, despite years having passed since Kargil, are no different. In fact the disappointment at the lack of prime ministerial understanding of threat perceptions and grasp over security issues is far deeper – public postures notwithstanding.
In the broader context, not placing faith in the larger polity of the military institution is not good for the country nor helpful for democracy. Neither of the two stands to gain anything if the rulers continue to trust individuals for personal loyalty as opposed to strengthening institutions in support of the state. In the same vein, an occasional divergent view by the military on issues of national importance should be taken in a stride and as a sign of maturity and not considered to be a challenge to the political authority.
The rulers and the media need not get rattled over ISPR statements which, understandably, should be the rarest phenomenon, but should be taken a note of if there are good enough reasons to go public against the preferred mode of private discussions.
If the selection of the new COAS is influenced by government’s fears about less enthusiastic support from the military for talks with Taliban then one can only laugh at the whole thought process.
I am tempted to digress a little to my childhood when, as school boys, whenever we wanted some relief from the strict British discipline of the boarding house, we would pine for our geography teacher in the faculty who was the kindest and naturally most loved of them all. One or the other from among us would pretend not to understand why the earth is round and the rest would join in.
When he would unsuccessfully exhaust his arguments, he would say in his chaste Urdu, ‘Jee karta hay pehley tumhara sir phor loon aur phir apna’. (I feel like first banging your head against the wall and then my own). ‘But please sir, why your head?’ Someone would plead. That is when he would utter what we would all be waiting for…‘Bhai apna iss liye kay itni see baat samja na saka aur thumara iss liay kay tum itni se baat samaj nahin sakey’ (My own head because I couldn’t make you understand and yours because you couldn’t understand you this simple fact).
Far be it for us to wish any bodily harm to the prime minister and or Imran Khan, but these two gentlemen must understand that as long as the Taliban retain the advantages of: a) delivering suicide bombers on a conveyor belt, as it were; b) using IEDs and blowing up anyone with enviable precision; and c) imposing an unacceptable human cost on any effort to penetrate their stronghold in North Waziristan, there is little to achieve from the talks even if the other side agree to the proposal.
Time and again our leaders dream of miracles on the negotiating table where efforts in the field have failed; Siachen is another example if one is needed.
The writer is a retired vice admiral.Email: tajkhattak@ymail.com
Opinion
Of chiefs
Taj M Khattak
Saturday, December 07, 2013
Nawaz Sharif, in selection of the incumbent chief of the army staff, has once again fallen for instincts of personal preferences as opposed to the choices thrown up by institutional process. True, seniority is not a Quranic injunction but it is given due weightage universally and ignored only when the senior man happens to be of an infirm mind or flawed character.
The current decision may well be in accordance with the letter of the constitution but does not quite resonate with its spirit, since no man has the right to strike down another man with a stroke of a pen without a valid reason just because he has the discretion to do so.
But now the decision has been made and General Sharif has just begun the journey of leading the army for the next three years. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, harsh as it may seem, is believed by his detractors to have the potential of a driver who collides with a tree on a deserted track, even if that happens to be the only tree in sight.
Let’s hope that at some time in the future, not in our lifetime it would appear, the appointment of the army chief in Pakistan is a speculation-free affair and one in deference to the institutional process. There are many countries that have achieved this. There are some kinks as to why it is not being done in Pakistan but these difficulties are not insurmountable if only there is a will to streamline the process.
More significantly, the common thread running in Nawaz Sharif’s past experiences with the military has been that of an uninspiring impression of his interactions. It goes back to the efforts of the family patriarch, late Mian Muhammad Sharif, to adopt General Asif Nawaz Janjua as his third son through expensive gifts, as reported in a section of the media at the time. After those unsuccessful efforts, the relationship suffered an irreparable damage and was never the same.
In General Musharaf’s tenure, those with saner minds were appalled at the naiveté of the prime minister not to see through the plan during the infamous Kargil briefing, and even participating in the prayers for the success of the operation led by the most pious-looking from amongst the gang of four. The vibes emanating from his recent visit to GHQ, despite years having passed since Kargil, are no different. In fact the disappointment at the lack of prime ministerial understanding of threat perceptions and grasp over security issues is far deeper – public postures notwithstanding.
In the broader context, not placing faith in the larger polity of the military institution is not good for the country nor helpful for democracy. Neither of the two stands to gain anything if the rulers continue to trust individuals for personal loyalty as opposed to strengthening institutions in support of the state. In the same vein, an occasional divergent view by the military on issues of national importance should be taken in a stride and as a sign of maturity and not considered to be a challenge to the political authority.
The rulers and the media need not get rattled over ISPR statements which, understandably, should be the rarest phenomenon, but should be taken a note of if there are good enough reasons to go public against the preferred mode of private discussions.
If the selection of the new COAS is influenced by government’s fears about less enthusiastic support from the military for talks with Taliban then one can only laugh at the whole thought process.
I am tempted to digress a little to my childhood when, as school boys, whenever we wanted some relief from the strict British discipline of the boarding house, we would pine for our geography teacher in the faculty who was the kindest and naturally most loved of them all. One or the other from among us would pretend not to understand why the earth is round and the rest would join in.
When he would unsuccessfully exhaust his arguments, he would say in his chaste Urdu, ‘Jee karta hay pehley tumhara sir phor loon aur phir apna’. (I feel like first banging your head against the wall and then my own). ‘But please sir, why your head?’ Someone would plead. That is when he would utter what we would all be waiting for…‘Bhai apna iss liye kay itni see baat samja na saka aur thumara iss liay kay tum itni se baat samaj nahin sakey’ (My own head because I couldn’t make you understand and yours because you couldn’t understand you this simple fact).
Far be it for us to wish any bodily harm to the prime minister and or Imran Khan, but these two gentlemen must understand that as long as the Taliban retain the advantages of: a) delivering suicide bombers on a conveyor belt, as it were; b) using IEDs and blowing up anyone with enviable precision; and c) imposing an unacceptable human cost on any effort to penetrate their stronghold in North Waziristan, there is little to achieve from the talks even if the other side agree to the proposal.
Time and again our leaders dream of miracles on the negotiating table where efforts in the field have failed; Siachen is another example if one is needed.
The writer is a retired vice admiral.Email: tajkhattak@ymail.com
Striving Soul
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In some days American futile exercise is going to be an end in Afghanistan and unluckily in surplus we have to deal with a Indian dominated Afghanistan, Political leadership is not in a situation to formulate an indo-centric foreign policy. Now military has to handle the mishandled issue.
COAS is the right man as per to his expertise in anti terror tactics,
COAS is the right man as per to his expertise in anti terror tactics,
ISLAMABAD: Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel warned Pakistani leaders on Monday that if they don't resolve protests stalling some military shipments across the border with Afghanistan, it could be difficult to maintain political support in Washington for an aid program that has sent billions of dollars to Islamabad, defense officials said.
In response, the officials said, Hagel received assurances from the Pakistanis that they would take ''immediate action'' to resolve the shipment problem. The officials did not provide details on how that might be done.
In response, the officials said, Hagel received assurances from the Pakistanis that they would take ''immediate action'' to resolve the shipment problem. The officials did not provide details on how that might be done.
Edevelop
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Army Chief visits forward positions along LoC
Chief of Army Staff‚ General Raheel Sharif visited forward positions along the Line of Control in Azad Kashmir.
He inspected several posts and met with the Army Jawan.
The army chief also lauded the high morale and courage of army jawans against terrorism.
Army Chief visits forward positions along LoC
Chief of Army Staff‚ General Raheel Sharif visited forward positions along the Line of Control in Azad Kashmir.
He inspected several posts and met with the Army Jawan.
The army chief also lauded the high morale and courage of army jawans against terrorism.
Army Chief visits forward positions along LoC
That is right because he was no afrai of the TTP and had his troops right up in the TTP's business. Good officer he was.
Yes he did have the Baloch regt flag during his tenure.
[/quote
Yes he did have the Baloch regt flag during his tenure.
Why is there a FF flag behind the COAS?
If he was the FF comdt or something, that would have been alright.
But the flag here seems a bit out of place.
Did Kayani use the Baloch flag in his office?
Belt is no longer worn with the CCDs. It was considered an additional, yet surplus item thus it was removed from the uniform (when CCDs are donned on).
Last edited:
not a good move....belts are essential....they hold your pistol and grenades etc.....
Belt is worn but not over the CCD top, rather with the slacks. The new tactical vests are good for grenades and even side arm/pistol holsters (if and when not worn on the leg).
Rashid Mahmood
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Rawalpindi - January 6, 2014:
"There cannot be a bigger sacrifice for the motherland than one's life or precious limbs", said General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) during his visit to Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (AFIRM), Rawalpindi today. COAS paid rich tributes to the sacrifices, valour and determination of the soldiers who were injured in the ongoing war on terror. He said our injured soldiers are our National Heroes and Nation is proud of them. COAS assured them that Army fully acknowledges their sacrifices and would do everything to bring comfort in their lives.
During his visit to AFIRM, COAS was given a detailed briefing on rehabilitation work undertaken by the Institute. With concerted efforts at the Army level, AFIRM has transformed into a premier rehabilitative medical institute with all sub specialties available under one roof. COAS appreciated the standard of facilities and care extended to the inmates by a team of dedicated doctors and paramedical staff of AFIRM and praised their efforts in helping all military personnel wounded in various operations. COAS inaugurated Resettlement / Vocational Training Department where wounded soldiers will be imparted vocational training to help them integrate in the society as useful citizens once again.
Earlier on arrival, the COAS was received by Lieutenant General Azhar Rashid, Surgeon General Pakistan Army.
"There cannot be a bigger sacrifice for the motherland than one's life or precious limbs", said General Raheel Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) during his visit to Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine (AFIRM), Rawalpindi today. COAS paid rich tributes to the sacrifices, valour and determination of the soldiers who were injured in the ongoing war on terror. He said our injured soldiers are our National Heroes and Nation is proud of them. COAS assured them that Army fully acknowledges their sacrifices and would do everything to bring comfort in their lives.
During his visit to AFIRM, COAS was given a detailed briefing on rehabilitation work undertaken by the Institute. With concerted efforts at the Army level, AFIRM has transformed into a premier rehabilitative medical institute with all sub specialties available under one roof. COAS appreciated the standard of facilities and care extended to the inmates by a team of dedicated doctors and paramedical staff of AFIRM and praised their efforts in helping all military personnel wounded in various operations. COAS inaugurated Resettlement / Vocational Training Department where wounded soldiers will be imparted vocational training to help them integrate in the society as useful citizens once again.
Earlier on arrival, the COAS was received by Lieutenant General Azhar Rashid, Surgeon General Pakistan Army.
chauvunist
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Shahid Afridi at GHQ Rawalpindi with COAS...
Armstrong
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Shahid Afridi at GHQ Rawalpindi with COAS...
Why is Afridi being presented a shield by the COAS ?
Pakistani Cricket Team ka Army se kiyaa taluuuq ?
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