United we stand

By Muhammad ljaz IT is said that every coming day is more challenging than the previous one. It’s true in the case of Pakistan. Especially, after the smooth democratic transition in 2013, the PML-N government confronted huge challenges in political, social and economic arenas. With each passing day, these challenges became graver and crucial due to internal and external security threats and poor economic situation. At the outset, the incumbent government had a tough task of securing Pakistan from the menace of extremism and terrorism. The war on terror, started by USA in 2001 and in which Pakistan was a major ally, had entered into a decisive phase. The US had started withdrawing its forces from Afghanistan without establishing peace in war-torn Afghanistan. America once again needed Pakistan for peace in Afghanistan, but now the relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan were not so promising due to volatile security situation at Afghan border. The massacre of innocent children in Peshawar on Dec. 16, 2014 made this relationship shakier when the army got the evidence of involvement of Afghan terrorists in the attack. At that time national unity was given priority and all the political parties got united to defeat internal and external extremist forces operating in Pakistan. Not only political parties, but the army, came to the forefront to wipe out the scourge of terrorism from the soil of Pakistan. Operation Zarb-e-Azab was launched and National Action Plan was devised to restore peace throughout the country. Zarb-e-Azab and National Action Plan were not mere terms to be used with reference to terrorism in Pakistan; rather they were well thought out and minutely monitored plans by the Pak Army and the civil government. The results of this operation and plan are far and wide and are felt by all and sundry. According to the data provided by coordinator NAP, almost 70,000 terrorists and 8,852 armed militants have so far been arrested while 126 bank accounts of organized militants have been frozen. Before operation Zarb-e-Azb, all places whether schools, mosques, churches or markets were soft targets for the terrorists. Now peace has been restored to a great extent. The results of this operation are quite visible in Karachi where target killings have reduced by 70 percent and all other incidents of terrorism have come down by 80 percent. Rangers operation has cleared Karachi of the extremist elements. Besides terrorism and extremism, the incumbent government met a great challenge of improving economic indicators. High inflation, low FDI and low GDP growth rate were the hallmarks of economy the government inherited from its predecessors. Due to the prudent economic policies of the government, inflation rate decreased from double digits to single digit. The trust of foreign investors was restored and FDI increased rapidly. International financial institutions like IMF and the World Bank have approved and appreciated policies of the government. One of the glaring examples of restored trust of foreign investors is the CPEC project. It is $46 billion project, comprising road and rail network and projects on energy, inevitable for the prosperity of Pakistan. It is seen that Pakistan Army is as much interested in CPEC project as much as the civilian government due to the importance it holds for economic growth and strengthening Pak China friendship. It is very unfortunate that some disgruntled elements in the country are making hue and cry even over such projects, started to spur growth in Pakistan and destined to become a game changer for the whole region. At very early stage of this project, government allayed all the reservations of all provinces and opposition parties. Now when work on CPEC is under way, opposition parties are once again trying to make this multibillion project disputable on the pretext that government is keeping secrecy on it. Every sensible person might be knowing that the government cannot share all details just to be discussed on all forums for the sake of point scoring. They should keep in mind that neither this project is for an individual nor has it been started for the benefit of a single province. All the four provinces will be its beneficiaries in one or the other way. The unflinching support of army to CPEC have increased the importance of this project manifolds. The statement of Army Chief, “Pakistan will leave no stone unturned to ensure its timely completion and uninterrupted success” is a clear message for those who are trying to sabotage this project of national development. It further shows the interest of army in strengthening bilateral relations with China in the best interests of the country. This is also an invitation to the annoyed elements to leave the policy of disagreement and keep aside their reservations in national interests. Likewise, the soaring issue of Kashmir is once again in the limelight due to the brutality and atrocious activities of the Indian Army. The martyrdom of young Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani has once again infused a new spirit into the Kashmir freedom struggle. On various occasions both army and government have shown their firm resolve to solve the issue of Kashmir. The categorical statements of prime minister of Pakistan and advisor on foreign affairs that Kashmir issue is the core issue between Pakistan and India, and composite dialogue can be started only if Kashmir issue is included in the agenda. The government of Pakistan is pursuing the same policy the previous governments have been pursuing for the last seven decades. The Ggvernment of Pakistan is also raising the issue of violation of human rights by brutal Indian forces in Kashmir and the right to self-determination of Kashmiris in UNO and other international forums effectively. All the rumor mongers, fanning the differences between military and the civil government on Kashmir issue and other national issues, should abstain from propagating their regressive agenda of creating cleavage between different institutions of country for the sake of personal gains. National interest should be of prime importance for the completion of all developmental projects and to raise the status of Pakistan in international community.