Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif on Tuesday said “across the board accountability is necessary for the solidarity, integrity and prosperity of Pakistan”, adding that the war against terror cannot be won unless “the menace of corruption is uprooted.”
Gen Raheel said “Pakistan’s Armed Forces will fully support every meaningful effort in that direction which would ensure a better future for our next generations.”
On a visit to the Signal Regimental Centre Kohat where he pinned badges of rank on Maj Gen Sohail Ahmed, the Army chief commended families of soldiers who had given the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.
He also appreciated the Signals Corps for providing communication support to Operation Zarb-i-Azb.
“The ongoing war against terrorism and extremism is being fought with the backing of entire nation,” he said, emphasising the importance of rooting out corruption in the process.
'Time to get serious'
“This statement is a turning point,” said DawnNews analyst Meher Abbasi. “Accountability should be applied equally to everyone. I am not talking about morality, but legality.”
Referring to the one-member judicial commission to probe the Panama Papers allegations announced by the Prime Minister earlier this month, Abbasi said, “If the Prime Minister says there should be an open investigation, by all that means, that should happen, but it should be by a commission that is trusted by all parties.”
“It should have forensic investigators, as the opposition demands, because it is a very complicated and serious matter” which needs specialised legal expertise in multiple fields.
With that being said, Abbasi critiqued that the PML-N’s strategy so far has been an all out attack on the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and its members, on Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital, as well as personal attacks on Imran Khan and his family.
“The PTV gives full coverage to protests in London outside Jemima’s house, but not National Assembly proceedings in their entirety.”
“The government did not appear serious, but now it will have to be and take the opposition parties on board.”
