What a speech, General!

[FalconsForPeace]

COAS General Raheel Sharif’s first public speech was a humdinger



Oratory skills are a crucial aspect of leadership. And considering the fact that Pakistani military chiefs have a tendency of becoming leaders of, you know, more than just the armed forces, being a good speaker becomes all the more important. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Raheel Sharif’s first public speech since becoming the army chief, at the General Headquarters (GHQ), has revealed that the man has it in him to deliver effective speeches should he ever have to become the leader of, you know, more than just the armed forces – in the best interests of the country of course.

That the civil-military relationship in the country has been tense over the past few months would be an understatement. There is the small matter of a former army chief being tried for treason, the Geo-ISI episode, Khawaja Asif’s – present at the GHQ – rant against the military and most of all General Raheel’s moustache. That all army chiefs that have summoned military coups in Pakistan had moustaches is the biggest bone of contention in the civil-military ties. And even though the COAS didn’t bring the issue up at the GHQ, other issues were masterfully tackled in his carefully worded speech.

No revenge against democracy

The COAS paraphrased many a line from the book “Rhetoric on Democracy” in his speech to soothe many a nerve. He followed it up by claiming that everyone needs to work together to take Pakistan forward – another hint that a military coup is not exactly prowling around the corner. Clearly General Raheel Sharif by waxing lyrical for democracy has lowered some of the skepticism.

Terrorising the terrorists

Another crucial message in the COAS’s speech was for the Taliban. By stating that all those who have waged a war against the country must accept the constitution unconditionally or be ready to face the music, he has knocked down two birds with one stone. Firstly, that there is no dillydallying on the TTP front as far as the army is concerned. And secondly, again, by extolling the constitution the chief has taken the back seat on showcasing any intent on taking any “unconstitutional” measures. Having facial hair of course is perfectly legal.

It is now time for the rest of the institutions to follow the army chief’s lead and start acting sensibly. There seems to be a general consensus that democracy is now the way forward and that all institutions should work in tandem to strengthen its prospects.

Mending the media

The hullabaloo over the past couple of weeks has been all about Geo and the channel’s unsubstantiated accusations against the ISI. And so while the ‘democratic’ folks have been going all gung-ho against Geo, the COAS’s – again – carefully worded message to the media was an absolute humdinger. Instead of launching xenophobic tirades against the media, the army chief first acknowledged the role that media has played in the recent past and commended its sacrifices. All General Raheel Sharif asked for was responsible reporting, and the media’s editorial decision makers can only envy the ‘responsible’ nature of the chief of army staff.

What a speech it truly was, General!

That Khawaja Asif was present in the audience, basically tells everyone that the army chief is willing to let bygones be bygones. His pro-democracy message was as subtle as it was strong. It is now time for the rest of the institutions to follow the army chief’s lead and start acting sensibly. There seems to be a general consensus that democracy is now the way forward and that all institutions should work in tandem to strengthen its prospects. If everyone starts to act responsibly, and does what they are supposed to do, General Raheel Sharif’s moustache and its historical connotation might be buried in the graveyard of history forever.


The writer is General Raheel Sharif’s groupie and a proud proud Pakistani. All aftereffects of reading The Horizontal Column are the readers’ headache.

What a speech, General! | Pakistan Today

 

[Pak Fauj Zindabad]

Kayani 2.0?

 

[tarrar]

Kayani 2.0?

Exactly.

When Pakistan is been pushed into chaos & anarchy by the incompetent politicians & they have become a national security threat, also Pak Army & incompetent politicians are clearly not on the same page, then how can Pak Army support corrupt politicians DEMOCRAZY & not democracy?

 

[Viper0011.]

the incompetent politicians & they have become a national security threat, also Pak Army & incompetent politicians are clearly not on the same page, then how can Pak Army support corrupt politicians DEMOCRAZY & not democracy?

1) You wouldn't have security if you didn't have the democracy. So.....your first sentence is misleading your own understanding of reality. Democracy is run over a constitution, that puts people's interest above all. The military is a SMALL part of the democratic authority. The civilian government makes the policy and the military salutes the elected premier, takes the order and executes it. Outside of taking order to defend the country or stand down, the military has no significant role.

2) Civilians and the Military are usually never on the same page. Unless the civilian government includes hard liners (which can result in unnecessary conflicts with others). But if any elected government bypasses military, their are hurt feelings within some generals. However, in a democratic systems, those generals still salute the democratically elected leader and take orders OR REQUEST for resignation. That's it. Democracy rules, runs the country and takes a country ahead. Everything else hurts the country and takes it backwards. If post 911, there was a civilian government in place, you may have seen additional results or benefits in supporting WOT. A military general just gave up on one call as generals are not designed to negotiate. Democratic leaders negotiate and make others understand their country's interest. See how fast your financial and investment situation is getting better with a democratic government that has been around for a couple of year!

 

[Irfan Baloch]

1) You wouldn't have security if you didn't have the democracy.

in Pakistan our politicians have a very different definition of democracy
it means concentration of power in one hand. the party chief when i power doesnt even like to share the powers that ministers should have. its either him or his siblings. our democracy will never allow the democracy of the west. to me the house of Sharifs or Bilawal house is just like GHQ command and staff... where the select few decide the fate of the nation and keep the command tightly within the same bloodline.

as far as general's speech is concerned he would have had better audience among the Hutu tribes in Rawanda.. because as far as our politicians are concerned .. it doesnt commute.

 

[Viper0011.]

where the select few decide the fate of the nation and keep the command tightly within the same bloodline.

as far as general's speech is concerned he would have had better audience among the Hutu tribes in Rawanda.. because as far as our politicians are concerned .. it doesnt commute.

Its the same everywhere. Take a look at the US, we have the Bush family, the Clinton family, the Carters, the Kennedy family, etc, etc. Anywhere in the world you go, it'll be the case. Politicians and Active Military personal are two different species. No matter how a family is or will be as a ruler, it doesn't undermine the democratic process. Democracy is the right of every human being.
You are probably right when you say that your democracy is not on the same level as the West. BUT.....you got to start somewhere. Take a look at the American, German, French and Indian democratic systems. When certain families and rulers didn't listen to what the people wanted them to listen to, or didn't fulfill their promise, or participated in the welfare of the people, etc, etc.....they were removed by VOTE by the people (and peacefully).

No general had to come to media and show punches or muscles by sitting in a tank. It takes time, and democracy matures. I don't expect Pakistan to be at a place where the US democratic system got to after 200 plus years of hard work, sacrifices and following constitutional and democratic values. But I ALSO don't expect the generals to take democratically elected government officials down every few years. Just like everything, such a big system needs time to mature. But military doesn't get to overwrite the democracy. The general's paychecks come from the civilian government and if the civilian leadership wants to, it has the right to fire all generals and hire new ones. Not saying it should happen, but the ultimate ruler of a society is the constitution and the democracy, which in turn are rules set by people for the people.
Now on the current government, tell you the truth, if you read the World Bank's reports and the investment forecast, I think these guys have done a great amount of hard work already. Pakistan is all set for over 150 billion dollar investment over the next 5-7 years. You guys are about to produce more electricity than you produced every year since your country was found. That's pretty amazing stuff and all in less than 5-7 years!! Your highway transport and rail network is about to grow twice as big since the British built it in like late 1800's or early 1900's.....that's 100 percent improvement in a century. In my opinion, you guys are standing at a junction where the history is being made. Your country is about to enter the free, modern and democratic era. So support it, work hard like how the Indians did and grow your world ranking in the economy. That helps the military grow and buy new toys too. More money, security and fun for everyone

 

[iPhone]

Its the same everywhere. Take a look at the US, we have the Bush family, the Clinton family, the Carters, the Kennedy family, etc, etc. Anywhere in the world you go, it'll be the case. Politicians and Active Military personal are two different species. No matter how a family is or will be as a ruler, it doesn't undermine the democratic process. Democracy is the right of every human being.
You are probably right when you say that your democracy is not on the same level as the West. BUT.....you got to start somewhere. Take a look at the American, German, French and Indian democratic systems. When certain families and rulers didn't listen to what the people wanted them to listen to, or didn't fulfill their promise, or participated in the welfare of the people, etc, etc.....they were removed by VOTE by the people (and peacefully).

No general had to come to media and show punches or muscles by sitting in a tank. It takes time, and democracy matures. I don't expect Pakistan to be at a place where the US democratic system got to after 200 plus years of hard work, sacrifices and following constitutional and democratic values. But I ALSO don't expect the generals to take democratically elected government officials down every few years. Just like everything, such a big system needs time to mature. But military doesn't get to overwrite the democracy. The general's paychecks come from the civilian government and if the civilian leadership wants to, it has the right to fire all generals and hire new ones. Not saying it should happen, but the ultimate ruler of a society is the constitution and the democracy, which in turn are rules set by people for the people.
Now on the current government, tell you the truth, if you read the World Bank's reports and the investment forecast, I think these guys have done a great amount of hard work already. Pakistan is all set for over 150 billion dollar investment over the next 5-7 years. You guys are about to produce more electricity than you produced every year since your country was found. That's pretty amazing stuff and all in less than 5-7 years!! Your highway transport and rail network is about to grow twice as big since the British built it in like late 1800's or early 1900's.....that's 100 percent improvement in a century. In my opinion, you guys are standing at a junction where the history is being made. Your country is about to enter the free, modern and democratic era. So support it, work hard like how the Indians did and grow your world ranking in the economy. That helps the military grow and buy new toys too. More money, security and fun for everyone

Spot on! Nawaz's govt has done a great work over the course of one year. Compare to PPP, heck you can't even compare him to PPP, his progress is hundred percent more.

Heck, I consider the PPP govt tenure as a black hole in Pakistan's history. Where zero progress was made and only chaos ensued.