* COAS says we must not harbour any suspicions or misgivings about May 11 election
* Polls a golden opportunity to end hide and seek between democracy, dictatorship
RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani said on Tuesday that general elections would be held in the country on May 11 and emphasised that the future of the country depends on their fair conduct.
“We must not harbour any suspicions or misgivings about it,” he said while addressing the participants of the “Yaum-e-Shuhada” (Martyrs Day) ceremony at the GHQ. He said this indeed was a golden opportunity, which could usher in an era of true democratic values in the country. The COAS said that in his opinion, it is not merely retribution but awareness and participation of the masses that can truly end this “game of hide and seek between democracy and dictatorship”.
“If we succeed in rising above all ethnic, linguistic and sectarian biases to vote solely on the basis of honesty, sincerity, merit and competence, there would be no reason to fear dictatorship or to grudge the inadequacies of our present democratic system,” he added. Gen Kayani said that the nation’s salvation resides in transforming the government into a true platform of public representation. “This would come to pass once the construct of public representation in Pakistan is oriented towards affording primacy and precedence to larger public interest over personal interests.”
“Otherwise, may it be democracy or dictatorship; governance would continue to remain a means of self aggrandisement and that of plundering national wealth and resources,” he added. He assured that armed forces stand committed to wholeheartedly assist and support in the conduct of free, fair and peaceful elections, to the best of their capabilities and remaining within the confines of the constitution. He also assured that this support shall solely be aimed at strengthening democracy and rule of law in the country.
General Kayani said that like every Pakistani, Pakistan Army, in its humble capacity, has endeavoured to strengthen democracy in the last five years, with the hope that the next elections would steer the country towards betterment. Now, once the destination is in sight and the nation must not err in accomplishing its responsibilities towards the election process, he added. “We must never forget that success of any system resides in coming up to the aspirations of the masses,” he said.
He said the success of democracy is intimately linked with the well-being and prosperity of the nation, and added that the real virtue of democracy ultimately lies in the safety and welfare of the masses. About conduct of general elections, he said it would provide the foundation and to build on this foundation, we would have to find answers to many questions; war against terrorism being one of these questions.
The COAS said the menace of terrorism and extremism has claimed thousands of lives, including those of the army, Rangers, FC, Police, Frontier Constabulary, Levies and innocent people of Pakistan.
“If we include the injured and affected family members of the martyrs, the numbers increase manifold,” he added. He said external enemies are busy in igniting the flames of this fire. However, despite all this bloodshed, certain quarters still want to remain embroiled in the debate concerning the causes of this war and who imposed it on us, he added. While this may be important in itself but the fact of the matter is that today it is Pakistan and its valiant people who are a target of this war and are suffering tremendously, he said.
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