Given the level of threat and seriousness of situation,
nobody knows how many terrorist attacks or acts of sabotage the Pakistan Army
succeeded to have averted, which the enemy might have plotted to disrupt and
sabotage the smooth holding of Election 2018 on July 25. Thanks to the great job
done by nearly 400,000 military personnel who made this national event possible
with an extraordinary vigilance and exemplary commitment on and before the
D-Day.
Therereally were unprecedented scenes of emotional expressions we also witnessed
on TV screens when the men and women, young and old standing in long queues
presented roses and garlands to the jawans and officers of the Pakistan Army,
giving a clear message to the world and the forces inimical that the people of
Pakistan love their Armed Forces and that they would never let anyone to
disrespect – never.
The Army above all has proved, once again, that all the propaganda made during
the previous months was not only a farce but also part of the foreign driven
agenda to mislead the people and badmouth the media. In his tweet he made on
July 26, Major General Asif Ghafoor, the top spokesman of Pakistan military,
rightly quoted a verse from the holy Quran, that was meant to thank Allah
Almighty for adding another feather in the Army’s cap – it fulfilled the promise
of holding peaceful elections and ensuring smooth transition of government to
the elected representatives.
GE-2018 has been termed as one of the most historical elections for Pakistan. EU
observers and independent analysts have called it transparent and peaceful. An
interesting turn of events was witnessed solidifying the judiciary and cementing
the democratic structure of our country. For a consecutive of 10 years, the
elected governments had completed their full terms and smooth transitional
elections were held. A major shift of power game in the political scenario paved
way for a highly competitive environment and it was inexorable to warrant safe
and transparent general elections.
As the general elections 2018 neared, a sudden hype in the terrorist activities
started to surge up disrupting the peace and security situation of the country.
These attacks were targeted and orchestrated to not only unsettle the ongoing
electoral progression but also to target the candidates who were patriots and
nationalists. Pakistan lost its brave heroes in its way to the elections and
that’s a heavy expense the nation had to pay to ensure a strong democratic
Pakistan.
Pakistan Armed Forces have time and again proved to be the backbone of the
country. Their contributions in safeguarding borders and maintaining law & order
are widely acknowledged. Whether to counter external threats on the world’s
largest active borders or eradicating internal threats from the insurgents, the
Pakistan military has raised its guns high up to not only eliminate these
threats but to root out all the sleeper cells and any terrorist pivots lurking
in the shadows to destabilize the country. If it rains heavy or the regions get
flooded, if an earthquake rattles the land, or an accident calls for a rescue,
Pakistan Army has demonstrated its fortitude in preservation of Pakistan and
held its hand high and steady to help and rescue those in need.
Apart from maintaining law and order and enhancing the security situation of the
country, Pakistan Army has stood out as a lookout for democracy in the previous
few years. Despite the conspiracy theories and the anti-army agendas being
blowout by the elements working internally and externally with anti-state
interests, created a profane propaganda for hearing boots raging the coup. But
Pakistan Army has not only denied all these baseless allegations but time is a
witness itself that whatever political chaos Pakistan has been in for the last
few years, Pakistan Army has stood guard for democracy and let the political
matters run their course and be solved with political reasoning and judicial
supremacy, thus strengthening the nation’s institutions.
No wonder, when the elected government exhausted its term, for the commencement
of General Elections, Pakistan Army was called on. The task of Pakistan Armed
Forces along with other security Forces was to ensure transparent, smooth and
safe elections. A large number of deployments were required and as army was
already busy on active borders and in various sensitive areas, reserve army
troops were also positioned and given the charge for the security.
Pre-emptive security measures were taken and 371,000 army soldiers were deployed
at more than 86,000 countrywide polling stations. Working under the directives
of Election Commission of Pakistan, the Army was given the responsibility to
ensure security at the polling stations and to assure a translucent transport of
the deliverables at these polling stations. The Army supervised the printing of
ballot papers as well. Its involvement stamped that no foul play was done with
ballot papers and during printing or its delivery.
Anti-Pakistan agents targeted the polling station in Quetta and the suicide
attack took more than 35 innocent lives marking these elections as one of the
most high-stake elections as dozens of precious lives were lost in a series of
attacks at various political assemblies.
On the polling day, Pakistan Army sentinels stood guard protecting and
safeguarding the Pakistanis and their mandates. The unmatched efforts and
un-rattled commitment of Pakistan Army was appreciated by the general community.
As a gesture of thanks to Army, Pakistani citizens’ exhibiting their emotions
vividly were witnessed. And many historical pictures got viral on social media.
Mothers hugged the sentinels on duty. It was a clear sign of confidence and love
they hold for their brave sons of the soil and acknowledge that by giving their
blessings to these sons guarding the polling stations. Moreover, at various
cities and in various polling stations, these gallant men with guns were
showered with flower bouquets. The smiles that these flowers put on these
soldiers’ faces were priceless. Not only just being acknowledged for their
efforts and sacrifices, they were lauded with love and affection of the common
people. People carried these flowers from their homes or bought on their way to
polling stations to give them to the Pakistan Army personals on duty. Children
also gave flowers to fouji uncles, and also saluted with pride to them. Many
people also brought cold water and juices for these soldiers standing guard in
the scorching and hot weather. A picture of a boy pouring down tea for the
soldiers getting viral is so full of innocent love and care that the nation
holds for these heroes.
Pakistan Armed Forces have laid many precious lives in the line of duty to
cement the defense of Pakistan. These gallant soldiers have faced bullets and
looked in the eye of naked danger with unmatched determination and sheer nerve.
We may not know names of all those who sacrificed their lives or sustained
severe injuries and suffered for us, but we do know that this uniform is an
emblem of our strength and pride. And this notion was stamped by the gestures of
Pakistani citizens. These simple yet intense statements of their backing and
affection unmistakably spoke to all the enemies of Pakistan that, Pakistani
people stand firm and tall at the backs of these sons of soil, come what may. It
also showed to the rest of the world that Pakistan is a strong nation with Armed
forces and civilians standing together for making Pakistan great again and are
invincible together.
For quite some time, various anti-state players have been directing a campaign
to malign Pakistan Army by diffusing false propaganda and making Pakistan Army’s
role controversial in the political picture and their role in General Elections
and aiming at breaking the backbone of Pakistani defence and making it
vulnerable. But the message of Pakistani People has been carried loud and clear
honouring the toil and resolve of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Pakistan Army
safeguarding the many fronts of Pakistan with their gallant tenacity and ready
guns were rewarded and reinforced with love, care and roses.