Abdul Basit Alvi
A very strong, dedicated and professional Army is very important for Pakistan due to many reasons. I have seen very comprehensive details on an article published in globalaffairsexplained and also found very useful details from Wikipedia and some very reliable resources which I am using here in my article to highlight the legacy of our Armed forces and GHQ.
The first reason why Pakistan needs a strong army is for self-defense. Every country in the world is at risk of being attacked by its neighbors, or foreign powers. Having a military force deters other countries from attacking. Although it may seem in the modern world that countries get invaded less, historically countries were often attacked by others. Nations keep an armed forces to ensure that other countries do not try to seize parts of their land or conquer them entirely. Huge numbers of countries have land that neighbors claim should be theirs. A military force is needed to deter countries from trying to seize land they claim. Countries have armies as a strong deterrence against attack, because any invading force would need to engage in extensive fighting, with many lives lost, in order to defeat them. Having a military for self-defense is perhaps the main reason countries have armies today. Some countries even call their army the ‘self-defense force’ in order to highlight that it is only to be used if attacked. Many countries justify high military expenditure because they claim to be threatened by major world powers and they need a large and advanced military to deter being attacked.
Another second reason why Pakistan needs a strong army is to combat internal threats. Pakistan faces threats from armed groups, separatist movements, organized criminal gangs or militias. An army is needed to combat these groups and restore peace to areas they may control. A countries army comes under the control of its government. However, in many countries, there are also armed groups that fight against the government. A country needs a military force in order to protect the government from being overthrown and to restore government control over areas held by anti-government militias. It has been shown that using armed forces to defeat militia groups and bringing peace to conflict areas can be key to a country’s development. Having an army is vital for a country because it also acts as a deterrence against the emergence of armed groups internally. People are less likely to revolt against a state that has a strong army behind it.
Another reason why countries need a military is to be able to take a pre-emptive strikes against an enemy if needed. Although almost every country claims their army is for self-defense, sometimes a countries best way to defend themselves is by attacking an enemy they know is threatening them. There have been many instances throughout history where countries have used their armies to attack others as a pre-emptive strike before they are attacked themselves. They all claim this is in self-defense, although often this is disputed. However, having the ability to make a pre-emptive strike is key to a nation’s defense and a major reason why countries have military forces. A country needs an army to be able to defend itself, but also to attack. Military tacticians say that sometimes attacking is the best form of defense and so a nation’s army needs to be able to strike at other countries, and non-state armed groups, that are threatening them. Having other countries know that a state is able to attack them is key to their security. Although, in modern times, nations invade each other less than in the past, many keep the capabilities to do so in their armed forces as a key part of their defense.
Another reason why countries need to have an army is to protect their allies. Nations form alliances for mutual protection, because of shared values and to build economic ties. Having an army is key to forming alliances. Alliances are also key to a country’s global influence and this is another reason why countries need a military. All countries need to promote themselves abroad. Influencing global affairs is key for a country to be successful. Having a strong army is a vital part of being seen as a global power and this is a big reason why having a military is important.
The army is a key part of many nations core identities. It is an institution that unites the country, is often key to its foundation and commands a high degree of respect. A country needs a military around which people can bond and find a common purpose. Militaries are traditional institutions. They embody their histories and that of their countries. They have rituals and ceremonies that are unique to the country and often carry the legacy of a nation’s past. Almost all countries have conflict in their recent history that were key to how the country is today. The military is a link to this past and often commands admiration and respect. In many countries, the military is a key unifying institution that transcends politics, religion and race.
Another reason why countries have armed forces is to help with disaster respond and in times of crises. Armies have extensive capabilities that can prove vital in crises. Military expertise, equipment, logistics and personnel are often deployed when disasters hit. A countries army adds extra capacity to civil defense and disaster response units. Soldiers have the training, command structures and ability to operate in difficult environments. This makes them incredibly useful in disaster zones. Many countries rely on their military in times of crises. From earthquakes to floods, from disease pandemics to extreme weather, the armed forces of a country often plays a key role in helping to increase a nation’s capacity to respond to disasters. Often, countries include disaster response training for their armed forces. Militaries also often have specialist equipment that can help with disaster response. Many countries offer this expertise and assistance to other countries when they are hit by disasters. Help from the armed forces of a country can make up a key part of the humanitarian aid they send abroad when friendly countries are hit by crisis.
One more reason why countries need an army is for social mobility. In many countries, the armed forces have historically played a role in allowing people to move up from lower societal classes and are a key institution for poorer people to move up in society. The army is generally an institution almost anyone can join. Armies pride themselves in taking people and giving them the skills and expertise needed to rise up. Armies are meritocratic institutions – meaning the best people should rise to the top regardless of their background or social status. This means the military in many countries are places where people who may have had a harder start in life can excel. Being senior in the military often comes with a degree of social prestige. Soldiers, and especially high-ranking army officers, are seen as highly valued in many societies. As people can join the armed forces from almost any background, this means the military provides an opportunity for people to make something of themselves and rise up the traditional hierarchies of a society.
Pakistan Army is successfully tackling with all the above mentioned tasks and doing much more than their predefined job. The General Headquarters (GHQ) is the headquarters of the Pakistan Army and is located within the garrison complex of Rawalpindi, adjacent to the Joint Staff Headquarters. Following Rawalpindi’s capture by the British East India company, 53rd Regiment of the company army took quarters in the newly captured city. The decision to man a permanent military cantonment in the city was made in 1851 by the Marquess of Dalhousie. The city saw its first telegraph office in the early 1850s. The city’s Garrison Church was built shortly after in 1854, and is the site where Robert Milman, Bishop of Calcutta, was buried following his death in Rawalpindi in 1876. It was established on 14 August 1947 in the headquarters of the former Northern Command of the British Indian Army. General Headquarters is the command center of land forces of Pakistan. In GHQ, there are ten branches commanded by Lt Gen ranked officer, and forty directorates commanded by a Maj Gen ranked officer. The branches and directorate in GHQ are: General Staff, (GS) branch, Logistic Staff, (LS) branch, Arms branch, Adjutant General, (AG) branch, Training and Evaluation, (T&E) branch, Quarter Master General (QMG) branch, Engineer-in-Chief (E-in-C) branch, Communication and Information Technology (C&IT) branch and Surgeon General, (SG) branch etc.
Readers, GHQ is of much importance for the country as it is the hub and central command and control centre for the security of our country. It gave me a huge shock to see and hear about the mob’s attack on backbone of our security. I could not sleep whole night when this incident happened. I mean how we can go so far in politics and our personal interests that we don’t care the dignity and respect of such a remarkable institution. These elements are damaging public properties freely. They are destroying railway stations, toll plazaz, buildings and vehicles. In an incident the agitated PTI workers stopped the Edhi ambulance, unloaded the patients and destroyed it
According to a recent press release from ISPR, May 9 will be remembered as a dark chapter. Chairman PTI was taken into legal custody yesterday from the Islamabad High Court following the NAB laws. Immediately after his arrest, there were organized attacks on Army properties and installations and anti-army slogans were raised. On the one hand, these evil elements vigorously stir up public sentiments to fulfill their limited and selfish goals and on the other hand, they do not get tired of highlighting the importance of the army for the country while throwing dust in the eyes of the people. What the eternal enemy of the country could not do for seventy-five years, this group, wearing a political cloak, in the lust for power, has done. The army showed extreme patience, tolerance and restraint and without caring about its own reputation worked with extreme patience and tolerance in the wider interest of the country. Army should give its immediate response which can be used for its nefarious political purposes. Army’s mature response thwarted this conspiracy. We are well aware that behind this are the orders, directives and directives of some evil leadership of the party. There was and is complete pre-planning.
ISPR further said that facilitators, planners and political activists involved in these operations have been identified and strict action will be taken against them as per the law and all these evil elements will now be responsible for the consequences. Any further attack on the army, including all law enforcement agencies, military and state installations and properties will be severely retaliated against by the very group that wants to push Pakistan into a civil war and has repeatedly attacked them. These nefarious ambitions have also been openly expressed by this evil group. No one can be allowed to incite people and take the law into their hands.
Readers, this is very clear message from ISPR and should be taken seriously by PTI leadership. India media is also showing immense pleasure to show the footages of the incidents in which few people are attacking on their own army and public & civil properties so it’s again a question mark that are you taking instructions and facilitations from our enemy? Their actions are taking them quickly to the status of a banned and terrorist party. I find no words to condemn such malicious attempts. We will have to re-define the standards and draw a border line between patriotism and betrayal. The mob is allegedly directed and motivated by Imran Khan and leadership of PTI. Viral videos and audios of their leadership clearly show that by how they have been instructing the workers to destroy public and armed forces properties. They have been continuously blaming and defaming Pak Army and its officers.
Recently Army Chief has also assured that all planners and actors of the incident of May 9 will be brought to the court of justice and no more attacks on military assets will be tolerated. Riot attacks on GHQ and public properties are unacceptable and all culprits should be strictly punished by setting an example so that no one even dares to think about such nefarious attempts in future.