KARACHI: The outgoing Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed Bajwa has urged upon the youth of Pakistan to ensure that they are “shielded from divisive propaganda and information warfare that seeks to polarise our society and erode mutual trust. Pakistan should always come first — before any other marker of identity.”
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In an interview to Gulf News, General Bajwa said no nation was secure by virtue of its defence forces alone. “While the armed forces of Pakistan are ready to sacrifice our lives for the motherland, we cannot succeed without the support of our people, especially the large, dynamic and industrious youth of Pakistan, which constitutes around 60 per cent of our total population.,” he said.
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“My message to our young generation, the future of Pakistan, is to devote their time and energy towards education and skill development. Honest toil and selfless exertion are the basis of a progressive society,” said the outgoing Army Chief.
When asked to explain about role of Army in Pakistan politics, General Bajwa claimed that Army always remained a dominant player in national decision-making, and due to its historic role in country’s politics, the military drew severe criticism from public and politicians alike.
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However, he said “we have restricted the army’s role to its constitutional mandated task only by deciding to make it ‘apolitical’. This decision, though being viewed negatively by a segment of society and led to personal criticism, will facilitate in reinvigorating and strengthening democratic culture, assist in supporting state organs to effectively perform and deliver. Above all, this decision will help enhance army’s prestige in the long term.”
