The basic question that
arises is what is the need of having such an association? The
simple answer is that our country is drifting away from its main
goals, objectives, promises and aspirations for which it was
created.
We as part of the armed forces and in
particular the Army, have to be held largely responsible for
this gradual decline. All other sections of society have also
had their share of enthuastic cohorts, who fully inspired,
goaded, connived, endorsed and faithfully participated in all
these ill advised policies and actions that have brought us to
this pass.
Needless to go into the background and the
details, we must all in real earnest seek forgiveness and offer
unqualified apologies, for all our omissions and acts that have caused
this debacle. It is worth mentioning that some of our
illustrious colleagues, showed the courage and the will to oppose all
such acts of subversion of the constitution. They did so by remaining in
the norm of military discipline and upholding the oath that they took at
the time of their graduation from the Pakistan Military Academy. They
paid a heavy price. Their bright career was jeopardized and terminated
at the whims of those in Command . We want to recognize their strength
of character and the principled position that they took. They will
remain the unsung heroes of this Army. We salute them.
The military coup
staged by General Parvez Musharraf and his small coterie of generals,
was just a repeat of those acts in the past. The ex-servicemen
community, like all other sections of the society, failed to condemn
this unconstitutional and illegal act in the terms that it deserved.
This apathy has been the main failings of us all, as a nation, as
responsible citizens, as those whose duty should have been to stand up
and speak against all such ill advised acts. All cross sections of the
society, owe it to this country that they must find the courage and
conviction to condemn and speak loudly against all such crimes and
misdeeds.
The events of 9/11 saw
a bizarre set of development in the corridors of power. It is amazing as
to how a military dictator, took such critical decisions, which were to
literally change the destiny of the country, all by himself. No clear
and loud voices were raised either within or outside the Military
establishment. This is the biggest dilemma that we have been facing as a
Nation. Who has given the Army chief this power? Even within the Armed
Forces he has equal peers in the form of Chairman Joint Chief of Staff.
Air force and Naval chiefs. It is time that we put a permanent end to
all such military adventurers. Those who committed this kind of crimes
and their close collaborators must be held accountable. It is time that
they must face a judicial commission.
