Accountability for All

Under the chairmanship of Army Chief General Asim Munir, the Corps Commanders’ Conference affirmed that the Pakistan Army is a structured institution where no one is above accountability. The Army is committed to upholding its values through rigorous and unbiased accountability, with no room for partiality or exemption. Adherence to this stringent accountability system is essential for the institution’s stability.

According to ISPR, the conference participants recited prayers for the martyrs and paid tribute to the enduring sacrifices of the Pakistan Armed Forces, security personnel, and civilians in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa for the peace and stability of Pakistan. The forum was briefed on the regional situation, national security challenges, and operational strategies in response to rising threats.

A transparent and unambiguous mechanism of accountability is what deters any individual, no matter how powerful, from breaking the boundaries set by their institution and the law. Fear of the law drives everyone, from the powerful to ordinary citizens, to perform their duties with honesty and diligence, thus avoiding actions that could lead to accountability. The Pakistan Army is the only organized institution in the country that meets the standards of rigorous accountability.

This institution is the guardian and standard-bearer of national security, and any weakness within it jeopardizes the country’s safety. Therefore, to ensure national security, the Army undergoes stringent scrutiny, and no compromise is made on any lapse or deviation. Any officer of the Army, whether serving or retired, who engages in any act, whether practical or verbal, that undermines the Army’s dignity and discipline is held accountable without exception. These reasons contribute to the respect accorded to the Pakistan Army.

The Pakistan Army maintains high standards of organization and accountability, which is why it is ranked among the best armies globally. It has upheld its standards even in challenging times. In contrast, other government institutions often have weak self-accountability mechanisms or ambiguities between powers and duties, leading to minimal accountability for corrupt or boundary-crossing individuals, often only ending at retirement.

Currently, some anti-state forces are making concerted efforts to endanger national security. They understand that as long as the Army remains organized and supported by the public, no conspiracy against national security can succeed. To implement their nefarious plans, these forces are targeting the Pakistan Army.

The Pakistan Army is fully aware of these conspiracies, and the Corps Commanders’ Conference also reviewed the activities of anti-state forces, negative and destructive elements, terrorists, and their internal and external facilitators in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The forum reaffirmed that, with unwavering public support, the Army will not let the sacrifices made in counter-terrorism go in vain and stressed that the Army is an organized institution with each individual’s professional skills and loyalty solely to the state and the Pakistan Armed Forces.

Anti-state forces are using both external and internal fronts to weaken the country, skillfully employing tools like social media alongside armed actions. It is unfortunate that some domestic political forces, intentionally or unintentionally, are amplifying the propaganda of these anti-state forces. Political forces use all resources to gain power, and while conflicts between political parties in the pursuit of power are natural, no party should go so far as to endanger the existence and security of other political parties and national security.

If any political party, regardless of its popularity among the public, engages in actions that raise doubts about the existence and performance of national security and protective institutions, it is crucial to monitor such parties and their facilitators closely. This is why political parties worldwide present their agendas for power but do not engage in practical or ideological conflicts against state institutions.

Currently, terrorists are attempting to strengthen their networks by aligning with insurgents and criminal mafias to attack security institutions and undermine their resolve. The Pakistan Army has made immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and continues to be active on this front with full force. Despite numerous attacks, the enemy has not been able to weaken the Army’s resolve.

At present, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are targets of anti-state forces, who are active on both the armed and political fronts. To defeat these forces, political parties, as well as scholars, intellectuals, writers, poets, and teachers, must step forward to prevent the nation from falling into chaos and instability. Social media has become a fundamental tool in strengthening the ideological front.

The intellectual segment of society must utilize its capabilities for better ideological training of the public and to thwart the schemes of anti-state forces. The forum expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri people and paid tribute to the martyrs of the freedom movement, and strongly condemned the ongoing brutality and genocide by Israel against unarmed Palestinians. We should remember that if Pakistan exists, so do we all.

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