Motivation is a notion, keeps you in motion.. When downhill, know the drill, motivation will make you thrill.. Find your ‘WHY’, keep your spirits high.. Break task into chunks, will surely be a slam-dunk.. Keep feet on the ground, stay motivated all around.. Make tasks fun, you will get them done.. Take breaks and time out, stay upbeat throughout.. Look at the bright side, rise above and turn the tide..
Patience is a virtue, we must pursue.. Patience is a wealth, bring fabulous health.. Being patient, when dispute arise, gain you respect and make you wise.. With patience behind each decision, every decision par precision.. With patience when you perform a role, you are bound to achieve the goal..
Open your mind, raise the blind.. Look into possibilities of every kind.. Every knot must untangle, before you can see the real angle.. With tensions and fears left behind, technology & innovation together combined, you can enter a realm of unimaginable kind..
Strategic relationships at international level, are always based on mutual interests with no permanent friends/adversaries and are developed and manipulated by stronger states, like a chess game, using smaller or weaker states as the chess pieces. The weaker states are manipulated through hijacked political systems, buying out the influencers and targeting their centres of gravity, forcing them to be part of their international strategic game plan.
In our part of the world, China undoubtedly, leads the race and fast approaching to international dominance, making big economic inroads throughout the globe. Seriously worried, US is making its all-out effort to contain China and pumping India to take on the role of a serious contender for the regional leadership. Pakistan with its important geo-political stature, nuclear capability and very professional/ strong armed forces, is an obvious eye- catcher and is being closely monitored by the vested interests to keep it manageable in size and strength. The special strategic plan envisages use of its hostile neighbours and some elements within the country, to facilitate their plans, in return of political / monitory gains. Unfortunately, some religious groups are also on board. Pakistan army, being the centre of gravity, remains the main target.
Pakistan-China strategic partnership, based on mutual interests, has stood up to all the tests of the times. China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), the biggest joint venture, is a collection of infrastructures being built to enhance the geographical linkages connecting China’s Xinjiang to Arabian sea, through Pakistan, giving it a way out to the sea at Gwadar, for their trade with Far East and the West. Besides China and Pakistan, the project will also have positive impact on Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asian Republics and even India. Improved road, rail and air transport systems with free exchanges of growth / people to people contact, enhanced understanding through academic, cultural and regional knowledge and smooth flow of trade and businesses through a win-win model, is likely to result in a well-connected integrated region of shared destiny, harmony and development.
For Pakistan, CPEC is intended to rapidly upgrade the required infrastructure and strengthen its economy by construction of modern transport network, numerous energy projects and Special Economic Zones. Despite all the resistance from the adversaries, construction is successfully on its way to a timely completion.
Resistance and criticism of CPEC by US and its allays, is quite understandable. However, their policy of a stick and carrot through continuous warnings to Pakistan on the project, facilitating/ encouraging anti-state nationalist elements for their anti- CPEC rhetoric at home and abroad and offering new business opportunities to Pakistan, have not made any impact on the project. While, China has strongly rebuffed criticism of CPEC projects, Pakistan too, has rejected pressures to question Chinese on debt servicing, accountability, fairness and transparency in the project. India, which has no direct relevance to the project, except that it passes through Kashmir and will boost Pakistan’s economy, has also been actively involved in attempts to sabotage it. A chain of under-cover Indian consulates established all along Pak- Afghan and Pak- Iran borders to closely monitor the project and sponsor sabotage/ insurgency operations in Baluchistan, is an open secret. Unfortunately, both the host governments in this case, have provided Indians with this facility without any diplomatic justification. Interestingly, some of these consulates with 50(+) staff members (99% undercover RAW operatives) have been established at places where there are not even 50 Indian families residing, to enjoy their consular services. Iran had its own interest in developing seaport at Chabahar to provide a link to Arabian sea via Afghanistan and Iran. However, the ambition seems to have turned into a by-gone desire.
COVID-19 pandemic has posed a wide- ranging negative consequences throughout the globe and the post-pandemic era is likely to witness formidable changes amongst various political, economic and social structures. Economies are likely to be the major casualties. The situation predicts a scenario with changed strategies, reshaped alliances and new economic priorities.
Despite their own crumbled economies, the anti- CPEC forces are likely to continue pressures on Pakistan’s fragile economy to dilute our efforts on the project. Increased military pressures on both eastern and western borders, renewed support to insurgents in Baluchistan and indoctrination in Gilgit-Baltistan, are likely to be the major ingredients of the new anti-CPEC offensive. Efforts to create religious dis-harmony and political de-stability, will be more visible in the coming days.
On the positive side, we see China firmer on the project and in a much better position to cope with the COVD-19 aftermath than any of its adversaries. Iran too seems to have changed its perspective towards the regional politics and relations with Pakistan. Despite their tough resistance to CPEC, US stance towards Pakistan also seems to be getting to a new normal, especially in view of their planned extrication from Afghanistan.
Internally, it is encouraging to see Pakistan more stabilised under new governance system. The set-up of NCOC (National Command and Operations Centre) with active participation by the army’s high brass, to handle corona pandemic, is a fair display of how things are being processed and handled. Establishment of CPEC Development Authority and army looking after its security, are the re-assuring aspects of the project. While, the grey areas mentioned above, need to be taken care of, we can see a positive impact of the aftermath of COVID-19, on timely and successful completion of the project CPEC.
Brigadier (Retd) Naseem Akhtar Khan,
Security Management Consultant
Team MarCom made a special gift for you this Ramadan. We are happy to share Ramadan Calendar 2020 to help you keep track of daily Sehar and Iftar timings. Cities covered in this calendar include Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Muzaffarabad and Gilgit Baltistan in Pakistan where as we are happy to cater audiences in Dubai (UAE) and London (UK).
This Ramadan Calendar 2020 caters both Sunni (Devbandi/Barailvi/Ahlhadis) and Shia (Shitti/Jaffria) sects’ followers of Islam.
I am sure you, me and in fact, most of the people submit to the destiny and take this statement as part of our belief, yet, I thought to write few lines on this theme for two reasons. Firstly, to reiterate my full belief that, “If it is meant to be, it will be” and secondly wish to suggest adding a small line to this phrase so that it reads as “If it is meant to be, it will be, but we still need to pursue our well-thought-out objectives, proactively”. Here, I wish to share a personal experience, which to some readers, may seem to be just a normal happening in life but for me it was a complete game changer.
I am an Abdalian (studied in Cadet college Hasan Abdal from Class 8 to FSc). Cadet College is semi-military institution, which produces high-grade professionals for almost all occupations, however, majority opt for their career in Pakistan Army and so did I. In fact, from day-one, I had no other option in my mind but the “Pakistan Army”.
On completion of my studies I applied for Pakistan Military Academy Long Course and passed the written exam and preliminary interview for selection, in one go. Now, I just needed to clear my medical tests and go through Inter Services Selection Board (ISSB), to finally land in PMA.
I was an active sportsman in the college and a known fittest guy in my class, therefore, did not foresee any problem in clearing medical test. Going through ISSB was also not likely to be an issue because of the military like environments that we were put through during our five years in the college. So, everything looked set for me to be in PMA soon… my life time goal.
I still clearly remember myself in my village in Azad Kashmir after my FSc exam, anxiously waiting for a “khaki envelope” with a letter asking me to appear before the medical board. (Just for those who may not be familiar with “khaki envelopes”, most of the correspondence in army is done in khaki envelopes, sealed and addressed to the addressees by name 😊).
So, it came one day, asking me to appear before the medical board at Military Hospital (MH) Rawalpindi. Feeling confident of my selection, I appeared for the tests as desired, wearing my blue college blazer with sports colours on my chest (just to impress the doctors how fit I was 😊). After three days of medical check-ups, we were finally in front of Commandant’s office to get the results. Entered the office at my turn and smilingly greeted the Colonel who was very kind to offer me a chair to sit. However, I could feel that he was little tense and un-easy. With a pause of few seconds, he broke the silence with a shocking news that I had been deferred for three weeks due to suspected systolic murmur, a kind of heart ailment and needed medication before re-examination. With some kind words of encouragement to help me absorb this temporary setback, he guided me to collect the medicine from the store.
Returned to the village for three weeks for a forced holiday to spend some time with my parents and also get mentally prepared for my future life as a soldier, which I thought would start in another 5/6 weeks’ time. Enjoyed a well needed break and was in MH Rawalpindi again on the given date, fully confident to be declared fit the same day and proceed for ISSB. However, after a brief check-up, I got shock of my life when the Commandant informed me that I still have problems and needed re-examination again after another three weeks medication. The real bomb-shell was his next sentence informing me that since the PMA course was to start in less than three weeks, there was no time for me to be tested again and therefore, I was not to be re-examined.
I was totally shocked at the news and did not know how to react. I was not finding suitable words to express my disgust and frustration. The Commandant could apparently, feel my pain and with few words of sympathy, advised me to continue medication and apply for next course, if I so desire. That meant a wait for another six months, going all over again and still not sure to get selected. The game was over, as far as, I was concerned.
Honestly, I considered it as a doomsday for myself. A person who had never thought of doing anything else in life but soldiering—declared medically unfit despite being Cadet College’s sports colours holder in five major sports; captain of college football team, member of college boxing & hockey teams and winner of inter services long distance races. I found myself totally helpless.
In next few hours, I was riding the bus back to my native village, this time, with no dreams for the future in dignified military career, which had always been my only passion. So, I was back to square one, at a place from where, about five years back, I was able to fight my way through the mountains to Cadet College Hasan Abdal. Though, failing in the medical tests was not in my control, I was still blaming myself to have let down my dearest father who had shown me a way forward from a village school to cadet college, the prime institution of the country and had imagined a brilliant military career for me in Pakistan Army.
Although, I had passed FSc in pre-engineering with good grades, I was so much demoralised that I was finding it difficult to convince myself to apply for admission in any of the engineering universities. Nobody will believe that in my heart, I had decided to work in our own lands in the village. My hats-off to my great father (God bless his soul), who once again, quietly applied for my admission in Engineering University Lahore through one of our relatives, without my consent. For me, the life there-after was directionless and purposeless.
It was after about two weeks that I got surprise of my life when I, once again, received a “khaki envelope” from MH Rawalpindi, informing me that since PMA course for which I had applied for, had been delayed by few weeks, there was time for me to appear for my medical test as per the schedule and if I pass, I could still run for my selection through ISSB. The news gave me hope for a “second life”.
With a new hope in sight, I was, once again on a bus to Rawalpindi, very hopeful and enthusiastic. After a very brief appointment with the cardiologist, I was sent to the Commandant for the result. The Colonel looked at the result and with a very heavy heart informed me that the problem still persists, and I required more medication and therefore, I fail to join this course.
It was totally shocking, and I could not control my unwarranted emotional outburst. I asked the Colonel, if he could not see cadet college’s sports colours on my blazer and certificates of merit at inter- services level competitions and still thought that I had heart issues. I don’t remember what else I might have said but, the sentences must not have been very decent and matured. Instead of getting annoyed on my unwarranted out-burst, the Commandant, like a good senior military officer, could understand my position, felt moved and asked me to wait outside his office for some time.
After a while, I was called in again and told that in order to clear any doubts, Colonel had ordered a special board of five doctors to re-examine my heart. Confused, demoralised and hopeless, I followed the individual who was deputed to guide for the tests. The doctors examined me for nearly one hour and sent me back to the commandant. I was delighted to see commandant, this time in an absolutely different mood, welcomed me with a big smile and greeted me with great enthusiasm, “Oh! young man, finally you have won a career for yourself. Congratulations.”
There-after, I proceeded to appear before ISSB and got selected for PMA Long Course that I had applied for. Served gracefully for nearly 40 years in the army and now live a retired life with left over energies that this great institution provided me during all these long years. Thank you, Pakistan Army.
Interestingly, while I was in process of joining military academy, I also received a letter from engineering university, Lahore, informing me about my selection for the admission and was to join the session starting in another two months’ time. It was my father’s contingency planning which also came through, as an alternate option. But obviously, I was already home…Pakistan Army.
I wish to once again take an opportunity to pay homage to my late father, who remained a source of great strength for me all along, during my career searching stage, till I was finally settled in the profession of arms. I honestly, believe that I owe everything to my parents. While, my father was always with me in the field, my mother who played an important role in my initial grooming, has always been a source of spiritual strength. Parents play an important role in our life, for which we have no substitute. Though we cannot repay for what they do for us, at least, we all need to take care of them when they require to be taken care of.
I hope this short and simple narration of an actual happening in my life, justifies that, a successful life is a combination of destiny, self-belief and proactive pursuance of well-thought-out objectives. Parents in their own capacity, provide a safe and favourable playing conditions. Rest is all your show and that of your destiny!
A man jumped out of an aircraft for his first para jump; confused, frightened and totally lost. When finally landed at the jumping site, a large number of his friends and well-wishers came running towards him. He thought they were happy to see him still alive but to his surprise, they were congratulating him on his first para jump, which they thought, was done with great perfection and confidence. The man, seemingly more confused and disoriented, asked them,” would you be kind enough to tell me who was that atrocious person who pushed me out of the aircraft”.
Well, for me Marcom were the people who pushed me out of my “silent mode” and here I am trying to scribble something to make a start. Thank you Marcom, you have done your bit and now please pray that I am also able to make a safe landing.
Now the first challenge to me was what to write about? Well, I did not waste any time on this and I started my writings with simple and short blog on my home… “The Pakistan Army, its friends and foe”.
Pakistan Army is a huge organisation, with a great history, world’s best human resource and multi-dimensional role at national and international levels. The other day, I came across a report written by some US strategist who had talked about the best armies in the world and surprisingly, had put Pakistan Army on number 13. I was little confused but when saw Indian Army among first 5 or 6, I could immediately make out what must have been their criteria for the judgement and honestly, felt sorry for the gentleman. I wished, the writer had thought about the fate of their great armies in the region, without the support from Pakistan Army. If strength of the armies is to be judged on the numbers only, there would have been a different world today. After remaining a part of Pakistan Army for nearly four decades, I can confidently say that baring few of the super powers who obviously, have very high technical superiority, we always considered ourselves second to none and we have reasons to believe in that.
Leaving aside its glorious past history, just a look at what Pakistan Army is successfully confronting under the prevailing scenario, by itself speaks of its inherited strengths and the role it is playing in nation building and ensuring its ideological / geographical integrity. An onslaught of international conspiracies, shifting of battle- fields from Afghanistan into Pakistan, deployments of Indian consulates all along Pak-Afghan and Pak-Iran borders to reinforcing Indian sponsored terrorism/ insurgency in FATA and Baluchistan, fragile LOC in Kashmir and our total involvement in international war against terrorism, are costing us thousands of officers and men. To judge the real strength of this great institution, one just needs to see the courage and commitment to the cause by our officers, men and their families, with which they receive the dead bodies of their near and dear one’s, almost every other day.
A glance at the Pakistan Army’s role in nation building, especially in troubled areas, is mind blowing. Building of road networks, schools, hospitals and even the sports infrastructure in FATA and Baluchistan should be eye-opener to those who have any doubt on their performance. Their involvement in fighting against day-to-day crimes in the country and supporting civil administration during natural calamities is a very common sight. One can keep adding what all our army does for the country and the story will not end. Writing a whole sum blog on such an army, require expertise and research and I feel I lack both. Therefore, I thought it appropriate to restrict myself to just the basics and highlight the inherited strengths that make Pakistan army, as one of the best armies of the world and will also try to identify some of its enemies, who have continuously been working to weaken it, in one way or the other.
Pakistan Army is a highly disciplined force, with inbuilt motivation and strength of character that makes it a difficult customer for its enemies. Whereas, weapons/equipment can be counter by a better quality of weapons/equipment but nothing can match the inherited strengths on which the whole infrastructure of our army has established, over the years. Pakistan army is not an institution where soldiers are hired for fighting and other administrative jobs. The brave soldiers of Pakistan army are like a well-knit family with inherited ownership for their country, mutual respect and in-built trust. Seniors are taken as elders while juniors provide the follow-up, thereby, establishing a correct social structure within the institution to create a life style of its own. Youngsters find time out of their ‘mess’ life and visit married officers to join them for dinners (mostly un-invited), even join them in cooking and some even supplement food by bringing selected items from their messes, as a token of ownership. Officers joining soldiers for food in their messes and tents, when out for operational duties and playing cards, singing and dancing with them, is a very common site in the army units. It may be interesting for many to know that the young officers when initially join their units, are made to live with soldiers in their rooms/tents for first few weeks/months, to enable the new comers blend into the team. The whole scenario makes such an outfit that fights the enemy as one bullet, when it comes to war. Only a soldier can explain how he feels to follow his commander in operations against spray of bullets hovering from the front. It really requires courage, motivation and trust in the command. When all these qualities combine with our religious beliefs, no opponent, how strong he may be, can stand in the way.
I will briefly quote an incident when I as a commanding officer was leading the regiment in an Army exercise conducted at national level, one of our tanks stopped due to some technical fault. I immediately decided to leave that tank behind with its commander, a havildar, just to be retrieved soon after the operation was completed. The next moment I had the Havildar standing in front of me with tears in his eyes and blocking my way, “How can you leave me behind? I will not let you go ahead without me and would prefer death rather than becoming a left over”, were his words. I embraced him, got his tank rectified and took him along. This is the level of spirit that Pakistani soldiers possess. Another example showing the strength of our bond might be of interest to some. A retired havildar calling me in Dubai, from his village in southern Punjab, after 15 years of my retirement and asking me to help him to settle a minor issue with some policemen who were unnecessarily teasing him and his friends, to extract some money. I immediately obliged him and they were let-off. I felt happy and honoured that I, being his old commanding officer, still enjoyed the trust of this man, even after 20/25 years gap.
Welfare of troops and their families is a subject that the officers in the army are taught since day one. Every officer is supposed to keep himself abreast with the family environments of his under command and ensure that all possible efforts are made to keep the soldiers satisfied from their home issues. Fauji Foundation is an organisation, which plays a tremendous role in ensuring welfare of retired army personnel and their families. Best possible medical and educational facilities have been created throughout the country and are available to them, free of cost.
Army housing schemes which are generally used as a point of criticism by anti- army elements, are so well organised that even the critics prefer to reside in Defence Housing Schemes and their children studying in Army Public Schools. For those who have doubts how army affords these residential areas, our officers’ start paying installments for these houses from day one and the balance is deducted from their gratuity on retirement. Effective management makes army ventures strong and attractive. I wish all those who raise fingers at the army on these scores, could just verify the details before making allegations.
Pakistan Army sets a very high standard of merit-based inductions/promotions, which are never compromised. Soldiers’ sons have made up to the rank of a General while many of Generals’ sons got rejected for induction in the army, purely on merit/de-merits. One of my class-fellow from cadet college Hasan Abdal, who was son of a General, failed to make it to PMA while many of us with middle class background managed selection in the army and rose to the level, according to our potential.
We in the army, take the profession more as a service to the nation, rather than purely as a job. Training at the time of induction, is focused at grilling a spirit of nationalism and sacrificing life for the motherland becomes a motto. Practical examples of thousands of ‘Shaheeds’ and reaction of their colleagues and their families on their martyrdom are the clear expression of what I am trying to say.
Standards of the training are so high that our officers stand out clearly on merit and are praised, internationally. I had a number of opportunities to meet senior officers from UK, US and other advanced countries who all spoke very high of our professional standards and national pride. Quoting an incident from my PMA’s time, at this stage, will be quite relevant. During an exercise, “Battle Inoculation” where all of us are supposed to assault towards an objective under live firing, one of our colleague got a bullet through his body and died on the spot. The whole class was made to stand in a parade for dua and within minutes, the body was taken away in an ambulance and firing resumed as per the plan. This is the kind of training Pakistani army provides to its officers and men.
Inculcating team spirit is another important ingredient of our training in PMA and regimental centres. It reminds me of an incident during our training in PMA when whole of our class went through punishment of crawling on snow with bare elbows, for two hours, just for not disclosing name of one of our colleague who had made some funny noise in the class. The snow in the ground turned red with blood flowing from our elbows but to save one member of the team, nobody would speak out his name until the instructor himself had to call off the punishment. Interestingly, our instructor knew the culprit but wanted us to develop a sense of comradeship among our team. During the punishment, even our colleague himself wanted to accept the mistake and take punishment but others did not allow him to do that.
Pakistan army provides strength and stability to other important national institutions, whenever, asked for. May it be to support law enforcement agencies, hold mega events or carry out any other task requiring extra-ordinary management/groundwork; their performance has always been praiseworthy.
Pakistan Army enjoys a very respectable status amongst the armies’ world over. Leaving aside international geo-politics, our army always has very warm interactions with its counter-parts all over the world as part of the military diplomacy. Our effective participation in UN peace missions, all over the world, has always, been recognised at international forums.
Because of these inherited strengths, mentioned above, Pakistan army has undoubtedly become the centre of gravity for the country. Resultantly, it has become a priority target for our adversaries and unfortunately, some political/ nationalist elements, with a foreign sponsored agenda and corrupt mafia who believe in self-interests rather than the national interests, have become their facilitators. Military take-overs in the past have also been a point that the army’s critics generally exploit to discredit the institution. Without going into the background details of these takeovers or army’s justification in taking such a set, It would be suffice to say that even under these military governments, Pakistan has always done far better as compared to the political governments. However, by saying that, I by no means, suggest such steps in the future and wish that our political system gets matured soon; to give it an internal stability to take-on the challenges that Pakistan faces today and lead the nation forward on the road to prosperity.
A minority among our bureaucracy also possess negativity against army, basically, for two reasons. While some of them are politically motivated, the others feel left-behind when they find army people living a better life as compare to theirs, purely due to mismanagement in their own departments. There is also a small group amongst the better-educated people, who for some reasons, fails to join army or any other respectable profession. They feel frustrated when they see people with similar or lesser degree of education, in better positions in the army and thereby, indulge in bad mouthing. These minor issues create an unwarranted divide of “army and civilians”. Mutual understanding and frequent interactions between each other, can bridge the gap.
Last but not the least is a deliberately created wedge between so called, fundamentalist groups and the army. Our enemies have planned it meticulously and needs to be countered very carefully. However, it is satisfying to note that actual religious groups seem to be aware of this conspiracy and are on board in most of the cases. There are only few splinter groups, which are actually not religious in practical sense, are used as a tool by their handlers, to gain their own ulterior motives.
By the grace of God, Pakistan Army enjoys a very strong footing and will continue to remain the saviour of the country, InshaAllah.
Patience is a virtue,
I am sure you, me and in fact, most of the people submit to the destiny and take this statement as part of our belief, yet, I thought to write few lines on this theme for two reasons. Firstly, to reiterate my full belief that, “If it is meant to be, it will be” and secondly wish to suggest adding a small line to this phrase so that it reads as “If it is meant to be, it will be, but we still need to pursue our well-thought-out objectives, proactively”. Here, I wish to share a personal experience, which to some readers, may seem to be just a normal happening in life but for me it was a complete game changer.
I still clearly remember myself in my village in Azad Kashmir after my FSc exam, anxiously waiting for a “khaki envelope” with a letter asking me to appear before the medical board. (Just for those who may not be familiar with “khaki envelopes”, most of the correspondence in army is done in khaki envelopes, sealed and addressed to the addressees by name 😊).
I was delighted to see commandant, this time in an absolutely different mood, welcomed me with a big smile and greeted me with great enthusiasm, “Oh! young man, finally you have won a career for yourself. Congratulations.”
I honestly, believe that I owe everything to my parents. While, my father was always with me in the field, my mother who played an important role in my initial grooming, has always been a source of spiritual strength. Parents play an important role in our life, for which we have no substitute. Though we cannot repay for what they do for us, at least, we all need to take care of them when they require to be taken care of.
A man jumped out of an aircraft for his first para jump; confused, frightened and totally lost. When finally landed at the jumping site, a large number of his friends and well-wishers came running towards him. He thought they were happy to see him still alive but to his surprise, they were congratulating him on his first para jump, which they thought, was done with great perfection and confidence. The man, seemingly more confused and disoriented, asked them,” would you be kind enough to tell me who was that atrocious person who pushed me out of the aircraft”.
The next moment I had the Havildar standing in front of me with tears in his eyes and blocking my way, “How can you leave me behind? I will not let you go ahead without me and would prefer death rather than becoming a left over”, were his words. I embraced him, got his tank rectified and took him along. This is the level of spirit that Pakistani soldiers possess. Another example showing the strength of our bond might be of interest to some. A retired havildar calling me in Dubai, from his village in southern Punjab, after 15 years of my retirement and asking me to help him to settle a minor issue with some policemen who were unnecessarily teasing him and his friends, to extract some money. I immediately obliged him and they were let-off. I felt happy and honoured that I, being his old commanding officer, still enjoyed the trust of this man, even after 20/25 years gap.