Meagre chances of peace talks after COAS address
Islamabad: Different political circles are taking address of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif differently. Some said it was message to media houses and some said it was a message to government and the nation that army will refrain from derailing democracy. Yes that is true his message was to the nation and the government that democracy is a word that exist and present in the dictionary of armed forces and they respect constitution and democracy in Pakistan. But the most important “Operative Para” of his speech dealt with issues related with issue of terrorism in Pakistan. He dispelled the notion of Nawaz government that Pakistan Army could not fight out terrorists and that was the reason peace talks were initiated with those who are beheading soldiers of Pakistan and playing footballs with their heads. I believe that peace talks may not be top priority of Nawaz government after this address of COAS to a function in connection with the Martyrs Day at General Headquarters, Rawalpindi on Wednesday night.
The army chief said that the armed forces are capable of defeating anti-state elements if they do not surrender unconditionally and accept the writ of the government and constitution of Pakistan. He said that the country is facing internal and external challenges and collective efforts and unity are required to overcome them. He said that Pakistan army believes in the strengthening of democracy and supremacy of constitution.
General Raheel said that Pakistan army has come up to the expectations of the nation and will never disappoint them while defending the border of the country. He assured the nation that Pakistan army will foil nefarious design of enemies of Pakistan.
Pakistan Army continues its strikes in Tirah Valley in response to attacks of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on army troops. Sources claim Pakistan Army was not happy in the way peace talks were going on with TTP because TTP committee was constantly demanding their meeting with COAS and the Chief if ISI.
“This was an indecent demand as COAS or chief of ISI are the highest ranking officials and even India had never demanded meeting of such officials before, during or after wars with India and all matters were discussed at the level of operation staff like DG MO etc. Nawaz government never snubbed Talks committee on these demands and Interior Minister C. Nisar and Defence Minister Kh. Asif kept quiet on such demands”, said retired army officials when asked to comment.
