ISLAMABAD: The inspirational, well-thought-out speech of Commander of the Southern Command Lt-Gen Amir Riaz at the Independence Day function at Ziarat referred to the world’s biggest economic and trade activity Pakistan is going to carry out (in the shape of China-Pak Economic Corridor or CPEC) that has been undertaken by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
The remarks of the general, who is posted in a sensitive area where the completion of CPEC projects is very crucial and negative tendencies prevailing among some elements are yet to be fully taken care of, were a clear endorsement of the efforts of the prime minister, who is spending much more time for these ventures than any of his other engagements. The CPEC will transform the destiny of Pakistan and the nation.
Rightly frequently described as the historic game-changer by top civil and military leadership, every stakeholder has the strong conviction that the CPEC will bring economic prosperity that Pakistan has never seen before.
“No doubt, Pakistan is a sore in the eyes of its enemies who know that a large country of 200 million people with such abundant resources, being placed where the world’s biggest economic and trade activity is going to happen, and which is fast becoming an Islamic welfare state that other nations wherever they are located will also benefit look towards Pakistan. This gets on the nerves of our foes, who will attack us (through terrorism),” Amir Riaz said.
“I want to make clear what is my job as a soldier — to defend a society where whenever any power tried or will attempt to impose his style of system with force and might, the Pakistani nation from Gilgit-Baltistan to Makran coast will counter it and Pakistan Army will stand with it shoulder to shoulder; we will fight for your political, economic and social freedom and Pakistan will be successful.”
The commander echoed the line projected by the prime minister and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif for umpteen times about the CPEC, which they have emphatically stated, will bring prosperity not only for the present generation but also for posterity.
Detractors’ tunnel view apart, there has not been even an iota of difference between the assertions of the premier and the army chief about the fruits of the CPEC and their passion to complete all the projects come what may. The government is hectically supervising the whole enterprise while the army is providing security through a specially created division.
Obviously, the captain of the team is the chief executive, Nawaz Sharif, who hurriedly made the conclusion of the CPEC possible in a record time. Had several months not been wasted just for nothing due to the 2014 sit-ins, the CPEC projects would have been finalised much earlier with some of them having been completed by now.
“China waited for our government to come in power to finalise the CPEC,” the prime minister said the other day, and is not off the mark in taking credit for the gigantic development mission. He is excited to see many CPEC projects completed before the next general elections.
Obviously, the pace of the previous regime was too slow in such monumental undertakings, which was the major reason behind the absence of mega projects during that time.Not only the prime minister but also the army chief, Amir Riaz and everybody who was anybody in the state structure strongly feels that no doubt Pakistan’s salvation lies in generating unprecedented economic activity through the CPEC and burying the scourge of terrorism. Any interruption through any form or machination will affect the historic venture.
Raheel Sharif has stated more than once that terrorism would be got rid of during the year 2016. The productivity of the military operation, Zarb-e-Azb, and targeted campaign in Karachi and other drives all over Pakistan is strong evidence to this effect.
Amir Riaz also made some more inspiring remarks: “Pakistan was to have such a society where there are equal rights, equal opportunities for everybody, for my children and for your children; where merit is the order of the day; and where the good ones will progress and those who are left behind are supported to be dragged ahead. Such a society is to be established, which will be, God willing . . . many people feel embarrassed saying Pakistan is to become an Islamic welfare state and only state that it is to become a welfare state. You should know that the contemporary concept of welfare state took birth during Hazrat Umar’s time and there was time when the Englishmen used to describe it as the Umar law. So there is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of; when you say Pakistan is to become an Islamic welfare state (it means) where your rights will be secure, your freedom will be secure, your way of life will be secure.”