News
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Civil-military cohesion vital to improve Pak-US relations* PILDAT says democracy must continue to flourish, its performance can be evaluated by its capacity to deliver measurable good governance to citizens
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: With the induction of a new prime minister and cabinet in Pakistan, and relations with the Supreme Court on the Swiss letter issue remaining unresolved, it becomes even more vital to sustain civil-military cohesion and to improve Pak-US relations.
This was a principal conclusion by dialogue group on civil-military relations convened by Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development and Transparency (PILDAT), which held its meeting on Wednesday to evaluate the current political scenario and its implications for civil-military relations.
While appreciating the close coordination and determination demonstrated to date by both the civil and military leadership in dealing with the issues of the Salala incident and the NATO supply routes, the group stressed the need to be cognizant of vital national interests seen within a global context so as to define acceptable options for an improvement in Pakistan-US relations.
The group underscored the urgency that Pakistan needs to apply to develop and strengthen mutually beneficial relations with the US and the Western world in keeping with Pakistan’s interests. Pakistan needs to urgently adopt a multi-pronged strategy to find solutions to impending issues.
The group deplored the crisis in governance engulfing Pakistan and unchecked, rampant corruption. The group reiterated that while democracy must continue to flourish, its performance has to be evaluated by its capacity to deliver measurable good governance to citizens.
The group expressed deep concern at the historical tendency in Pakistan for institutions and public office-holders to unduly extend their respective mandates and misuse powers instead of exercising due and proper restraint.
Recognising the complexity of the situation in North Waziristan and noting the incessant demands of the US for action against the Haqqani network, allegedly based there, the group said that parliament of Pakistan categorically affirmed that the country’s territory would not be used to conduct terrorist activities against any other nation. Any action to curb terrorist activities must be done with due regard to the potential fallout in the tribal belt and other parts of the country. There is a need to strengthen the civil and development dimensions in that area. Any future action to combat terrorism must also take into account the military’s capacity in view of their already existing operations in other tribal agencies and its general responsibilities.
Recognising the high level of political awareness in the people of Pakistan, the group observed that, on some subjects, such as the resumption of NATO supply routes, emotive and extremist viewpoints, coupled with threats of violence, are antithetical to reasoned, peaceful discussion and to democratic values. The group urged that the elected government should take decision in the best interests of the nation alone.
The group also hosted a farewell lunch in honour of former ISPR director general Major General Athar Abbas. The group paid rich tributes to Major General Abbas for very deftly and ably managing the challenging task of articulating the views of Pakistan’s armed forces in the public domain. Senate Standing Committee on Defence and Defence Production Chairman Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Public Accounts Committee Chairman MNA Nadeem Afzal Gondal, and former National Assembly deputy speaker Wazir Ahmed Jogezai also joined the group in bidding farewell to Major General Athar Abbas.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk