News
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Army answerable to people, parliament
* Gen Kayani says army considers people’s support vital for operations against terrorists
* Army determined to lead fight against terror in line with the constitution
MINGORA: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said on Wednesday that the army, being a national army, derived its strength from the people of Pakistan and was answerable to them and their representatives in parliament.
In his key note address at a seminar on de-radicalisation, Kayani said, “The army considers people’s support vital for its operations against terrorists, and believes that only the people of Pakistan can determine the national interest and army’s role in their achievement.”
He said that Pakistan’s commitment to the war against al Qaeda and its affiliates was total and unwavering as it firmly believed in taking stern action against all terrorist groups.
The army, said the chief, was determined to lead the fight on terror in partnership with other law enforcement agencies and in line with the constitution. Kayani reiterated that there was no military solution to terrorism since military strategy could only provide an enabling environment. “The menace has to be tackled in the domain of national security which warrants a comprehensive response entailing synergy by all elements of national power.”
He said following the success of military operations, reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure was immediately launched to restore life. “This rehabilitation effort, in addition to a host of other activities, included an effective de-radicalisation programme.”
He said that de-radicalisation, as a process, was gaining eminence in many parts of the world. “There is a general consensus in societies that the national security interests are better served by de-indoctrinating and re-integrating the radicals back into society.” By radicalism, “I refer to a socio-psychological process of incremental commitment to radical trends – may it be political, psychological or religious. Radicalism is, therefore, a risk factor that can transform into violence and push societies into anarchy”, said the COAS.
He said the de-radicalization effort was a result of the demand placed on the army by the post-operation environment.
“Driven by the detention of thousands of miscreants after the operation, our de-radicalisation programme was built around four pillars, including de-radicalisation of juveniles, selected reconcilable detainees, families of selected detainees and of certain villages in general, from which bulk of terrorists had originated,” he added.
Kayani said the programme was initiated with the help of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government and certain NGOs, in specially created facilities.
“Our effort to transform the members of public who embraced radical trends, has met considerable success. We are getting back to you with validation and a sense that this is doable,” he added.
Kayani said it would be prudent for all elements of national power and the nation to take a holistic view of national security, within the purview of “state as well as human security” in modern times, no single organ of the state, was configured to mount a wholesome response to the challenges confronting national security. He said all instruments of the state and society had a role to play.
“De-radicalisation is an important contributor towards achieving human security. Such efforts are to be expressed through attempts to change behaviours, primarily by rehabilitating or de-indoctrination.” app
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk