A knotty duet of General Raheel Sharif and Imran Khan jointly while working separately surfaced the belief in nation that together they can meet social, economic, political, strategic and terror challenges without relying on international support.
An inspirational wave of change in the political history of Pakistan in general elections-2013 manifested when the crescent of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI), movement for justice, lingered on the national horizon.
Piloted by Imran Khan, former captain of national cricket team, the party indisputably flustered the domination of two traditional political parties, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), taking turns one by one since democracy re-evolved in 1988.
In 2013, he rocked the stage wherever he traveled all over Pakistan attributed to his charismatic personality, belligerent attitude, blatant approach and smashing criticism on two recurring political parties of the country.
In the twinkling of an eye, his revolutionary thoughts fueled the people to follow him for building a new Pakistan where merit, accountability, poverty alleviation, respect for citizens beyond status & power, education, health, purging country’s begging posture, equal distribution of wealth, and creating a terror-free milieu should be the focal points.
Though these are considered to be the typical political statements entailed I almost every party’s manifesto but the ardor and integrity with which he invited and roused people has been more of magnificence. Thus his each and every political campaign was generously responded by fully charged, amorous and vivacious public.
However in 2013 general elections, his party could not realize the expected results owing to certain debatable events and alleged rigging in polls. Therefore, on Independence Day, he went for long march which turned later into the sit-in after government purposely delayed accepting his demand to open, verify four constituencies’ votes.
Spanning nearly 126 days of sit-in, he sternly accused government for election rigging besides trouncing its economic and international policies, highlighting corruption and nepotism in federal and provincial appointments. The sit-in nonetheless was called over after brutal terrorist attack on Army Public School (APS) Peshawar killing 142-innocent kids and school teaching and administrative staff.
The government somehow survived the onslaught of Imran Khan but by the time, he was succeeded exceedingly to widely spread his message to make people realize their rights, respect, magnitude for justice, valor to refuse unlawful orders, and the urge to demand transparency in public funds.
Not to the power but to the killings of innocent people, he shelved the sit-in but his struggle is not going to stop as he is as stanch as he was to get Pakistan and its public the rights and respect, they deserve hence laying a solid base of a new Pakistan.
Year 2013 unleashed another stubborn, dazzling entity on the national sphere when General Raheel Sharif took over as army chief from General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kiyyani. Apparently a very calm and composed General, he is highly extolled by ex-army officers for his professional skills, noble nature and character traits as soldier.
While he is also carrying the pride of two martyrs of 1965 and 1971 wars against India from his family, Major Raja Aziz Bhatti Shaheed (Uncle) and Major Shabbir Sharif (Shaheed). Both of them were conferred Nishan-e-Haider for their bravery, the highest military award in Pakistan.
While sit-in by PTI in Islamabad, capital city of Pakistan, the government tried to make him controversial stating he himself is interested to assert a role as army chief to call off the sit-in but withdrawing from the statement next day after DG ISPR denied any kind of such intent by General Raheel Sharif himself but on the request of government. Seeing the sensitivity of the political circumstances, he sharply extracted himself from the mediation role between government and opposition wisely.
Infuriated over APS attack which stunned the whole world, General Raheel Sharif intervened to break off PTI sit-in and further facilitated all national, regional political parties to participate in All Parties Conference (APC) together to counter the common ogre, terrorism.
Then we all witnessed a reinforced General Raheel Shrif after December 2014 expanding Zarb-e-Azb, an operation to curb terrorism, to northern areas of Pakistan. His immense efforts, thorough professionalism, and aggressive approach quickly to tuck terrorism earned him respect from within and outside the country.
He tactically handled political parties while going all out after the terrorists without any discrimination of good or bad cop. In a few months, he turned out to be national hero highly acclaimed by domestic, international media and states’ heads.
Taking bold and brave actions, he launched operation in no go areas of Pakistan followed by supporting Rangers in operation to clean up the most populated city of Pakistan, Karachi terrorists, terror financers and criminals. In Baluchistan, he propped up Frontier Corps (FC) and armed forces to effectively restore peace in the area that was sabotaged by terrorists and rebels and cross border infiltration making him “most ever loved army chief” ever.
There were a number of times when many of the think tanks, intellectuals and public opinion suggested that he should take over but he remained unflappable without falling in the lust to rule the country. His selfless, dedicated and object-oriented slant augmented his popularity to sky-high, as indicated in various polls conducted time to time.
While fighting the terrorism, he realized world the sacrifices by Pakistan people and law enforcement agencies in this unconventional guerrilla warfare. As a result of his efforts, countries from east-to-west and north-to- south are now recognizing Pakistan’s immeasurable contributions in war on terror.
Whenever it is an occasion of Eid or any other congenial event or a holiday, this soldier of Pakistan Army General Raheel Sharif is always located with the troops fighting on front lines as a responsible leader, caring father. At the same time, he keep on visiting countries from Afghanistan, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iran, Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka to China, Russia, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States to share thoughts, causes and challenges in war on terror. One day, he is seen in United States, United Kingdom and the other day he is found in Afghanistan or in tribal areas with soldiers of Pakistan.
Not over, he slotted in a very assertive role in further deepening the sturdy relations with China by expanding military and economic cooperation. It was he who assured China to give fool proof security to historic CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor), a fate-changer project for both China and Pakistan.
To breaking ice with relations with cold war foe Russia, he visited Kremlin and met President Putin. The world media reported this to be one of the major break-through in Pak-Russo relations where both the countries will be exchanging intelligence information, and Russia would be investing in economic development of Pakistan and Pakistan to buy military equipment from Russia.
In Middle East and Saudi-Iran crisis, General Raheel Sharif once again gained applauds from world for his arbitration to resolve the issues. Saudi Arabia, the back bone of Pakistan economy, gives him great esteem for his endeavors to eradicate poisonous terror in Muslim countries thus invited him on the concluding ceremony of North Thunder military drill. Likewise, United Arab Emirates (UAE) also regard his capabilities and rank him high for the military expertise.
He also improved liaison with the United States to build the trust in military cooperation. US commanders in Afghanistan, CIA chiefs, and political administration of the United States have frequently admired his exertions to making the world much safer from the evil of terrorism. The initiative taken by him to commence peace talks between Afghan government and Taliban and the United States and China participating as observers is yet another landmark of General Raheel Sharif’s abiding, interminable successes.
It is none other than General Raheel Sharif who clogged the adventure dreams of India and silenced its clatter tone. Screaming of Pakistan-backed intruders in Kashmir and India, it has been now relatively hushed by him without retreating from inflexible stance of Pakistan on Kashmir. Instead now Pakistan, by capturing RAW agent has strained India pushing it on the back-foot and now tracking down the mode to escape such an embarrassment on international level.
The people of Pakistan should rise above from party-ism, self interests to take up the opportunity for themselves, for their future and for their children’s future and support both resolute men, Imran Khan and General Raheel Sharif, founding a navel Pakistan.