Is it worthy of our Appreciation

Whew Last few days I have received copy of an open letter written to the present Pakistan Army COAS by a retired Indian Colonel from Corps of Signals. I read it and found it to be immature and irrelevant hence ignored it. But I am forced to respond now because too many of highly qualified and otherwise intelligent officers seem to be endorsing it. My advise to them is please do not. My reasons are as given in succeeding Paragraphs.

The crux of the matter is that the writer believes that the deal Pakistan Government reached with local religious head in Swat was wrong and it is for General Kayani as COAS to sit on judgment and then discard the deal and thereby save Pakistan from Talibans. Now this is not funny, it is out rightly illogical. In any country be it a democracy or dictatorship (even in Pakistan) the constitutionally legal government have a right to take certain decision which may not be to the liking of its army, but that does not mean the COAS should up and revolt. Such drastic action can only be justified against a government indulging in patent unconstitutional acts and then too as a last resort. We take some Indian examples. Safe passage has been given to the terrorists many a time in hostage situations, which may have been opposed by the then military commanders. But none of them revolted or rescinded the orders of elected government. As we now know that on the issue of release of terrorists for hostages in Kandhar the then Home Minister was not in agreement but he went along the cabinet decision. We also have cases where certain areas of the country have special provisions and there are differences of opinion on the issue between political parties but that does not mean it is a case for the Army to resolve. So Col (retd) H Puri is patently wrong.

Flogging of teenage girl is reprehensible but pray how can an Army be held responsible for a social evil. These are dangerous waters, which have sharks in the form of girl child foeticide, bride burning and so on floating. Army can only assist in social change. Let the Army remain professional and focused on business of war.

In so far as other smart comments are concerned these are best taken with a pinch of salt. I really cannot understand or fathom as to what would a serving Pakistani soldier and Indian Colonel doing together in Iraq in 2004. And the story which the writer tells about Pakistani soldier and Indian Officer has many variants including one where the soldier is a POW post 1971. It is a good story for hot blooded youngsters to narrate over a drink in Transit Camp Officer Mess. Let us leave it at that.

I believe that mature and professional Army Officers must avoid playing to the gallery or indulge in scoring brownie points. It is best left to rabble rousers and arm-chair experts. We should flag enemy weaknesses for exploitation at opportune time and not shout about them. A true professional ought to write or speak with full gravitas only after weighing his words very carefully. Lest he be taken as immature and excitable by his opponents. Remember you have to be better than any other in the World.