Defence of the Motherland is a sacred duty and duty is one of the noblest words in

any language. In order to defeat a country with a strong and disciplined army it is perhaps
a matter of strategy to bring that army into disrepute. To create a cleavage between the
populace and its army, to break the army’s morale and to shake their belief that they are
on the right is an alternate method of waging war. In the sixty years of Pakistan’s history
our enemies have time and again attempted to reverse the Partition of British India.
Occupying a Geo-strategic position and consisting of diverse cultures, languages
and races, Pakistan’s unifying strength lies in adherence to one religion in majority. In
order to bring this bonding factor to naught another method of waging war would be to
create divisions and hatred between sects and sub nationalities. The events that are
unfolding today are a clear indication that the above alternate methods of warfare are
being waged relentlessly. The questions remain are we, as a Nation, capable of seeing
through this malignant cloud of deception? Is our Army, in general and our High
Command in particular, capable of taking on this challenge to our existence? Are we, as a
Nation, capable of foreseeing the tragedy, destruction and deprivation that currents
events, if crowned with success, would yield?
General Ashfaque Parvez Kiani has amply proved to be the man of the moment
and has successfully met the challenge head on. His calm and quiet approach has
rendered the enemies of Pakistan mute and aghast at the swift reversal that he has
enacted. Supremely confident and in full possession of cool nerves the General along
with his team and all ranks of the Pakistan Military have shown their true mettle in fierce
direct action as well as Public Relations. The future is bound to hold more of the same if
not better performance.
“Wa Ta’seemu Bay HabbLillah hay Jameea, Wa La Taffaruku! Hold on Firmly to
the Rope of Allah and avoid differentiation! Allah, The Most Glorious, has clearly
instructed the faithful to remain united against all odds and eschew all manner of
differentiation and divisive tendencies. Despite this clear injunction, forces are at work,
bent upon mayhem and bloodshed. The targeting of innocent civilians; use of women and
children as human shields; sneak attacks in the cover of darkness are all reprehensible
and need to be shown for complete poverty of intellect and devoid of humanity. Islam
brought chivalry and humane conduct of warfare to a barbarous and savage humanity.
Strict exclusion from targeting of women; children; the old and infirm and even fruit
trees, taken to mean legitimate income generating means, was enforced on clear direction
of The Almighty. This can be taken as a litmus test for judging the actions and legitimacy
of those extremists and terrorists who are engaged in attempting to gain victory for
themselves in the name of Islam. To use forbidden means in order to achieve what is
claimed to be supremacy of Islam is a clear contradiction and unacceptable under any
circumstances.
With the upcoming elections as a clear and peaceful manner of expressing opinion
and bringing about desired changes in society clearly in sight, insistence of using violent
means to coerce society into following a particular mode of thought is evidence of enemy
action.
The Pakistan Army has time and again come to the forefront and bravely stood up
against all odds to ensure the safety and security of the Motherland. From battlefield
action; construction of strategic roads and bridges; strategic Afforestation; flood and
earthquake relief; maintenance of peace; enforcement of law; succour to the afflicted and
provision of security to women and children and defence of our honour to long hours of
vigilance and preparedness in order to react promptly to any eventuality, the Pakistan
Army has never faltered or failed to present a bold front. Though every action needs to be
seen in the light of its background it is never the less imperative to examine activities in
the perspective of impacts, be they immediate or long term. In case ideologically opposed
camps are engaged in a short term activities where interests converge, this cannot be
taken to mean that one camp is acting in the sole interests of the other. The example of
Pakistan’s and US interests to oppose Russian aggression in Afghanistan in the recent
past is an example. No stretch of imagination can produce the answer that Pakistan was
working in the interests of the US. Similarly War Against Terror is a war of the entire
civilized world and it is perfectly legitimate to seek assistance from any direction in order
to further the positive conclusion of this effort.
The use of Madrissah students or ‘Taaliban’ to get results desired by particular
interests is quite questionable in ethical terms. “In Islam the goal of education is, “To
develop human personality on the path of creativity for service to humanity and nature.”
Secondly, the concept of “Ar-Rabb” is the taker from state to state by Cherishing and
Guidance. This is amply proved by the evolution of life and points towards more of the
same. Whereas most of physical evolution seems to have taken place, there yet remains
plenty in the mental and spiritual fields. Instead of indoctrination; programming and
conditioning through rote memorizing or exposure to biased literature, the need is for a
dynamic and inspired system of education that fulfils our spiritual, mental and physical
requirements. This education needs to incorporate understanding or at least agreeing to
disagree with people of different races, cultures or religions. Scientific understanding of
the environment and sustainable development that is in harmony with nature is not a
Western agenda but is rather a pressing requirement for all, if we are to survive. To
indulge in a so called education to the exclusion of this vital sector is a mockery of
education. Our religion repeatedly demands of us to reflect upon Nature and seek out
knowledge from all places. Obviously there can be no question of finding Islamic
knowledge in China in the times of the Holy Prophet (Upon whom be The Peace and
Blessings of Allah). Yet this injunction is clearly attributed to him. Is this not sufficient to
prove that pursuit of knowledge be it secular or religious is a legitimate and in fact
Divinely Ordained order? To deny this is clearly in opposition to Divine Commandments
and there can be no room for opposition!
In summation to what can be seen as going round and round a never ending merry
go round that is not merry at all, the best judge is the will of the people. In case any party
or group is not willing to take their case to the court of the people they should be forcibly
restrained with forbearance but strict implementation of the Law of the Land. The
misconceptions indoctrinated into the ‘Talibaan” that there is consensus in all sects of
Islam for implementation of Shariah has to be removed from their minds. I, for one, am
certainly not inclined to accept interpretation of any sect other than the one that I follow
and am perfectly aware that it would be the opening of a Pandora’s Box to attempt to
resolve the differences of interpretation of the Shariah. Let us lead by example and bring
others to our point of view by positive results achieved in real terms rather than from
rhetoric alone.