THIS is apropos your editorial ‘A perilous path’ (Sept 13). Indeed the recent incidents of intrusion of extremist militants in the armed forces are shocking and perilous. But let us go deeper and try to trace the history of this malaise and the reasons for the disintegration of the code of ethics in the armed forces.

The code of conduct in the armed forces was based on ‘loyalty to the state’ and no other ideology could get priority over this. Loyalty to the state was not only the first and foremost but the armed forces had their own ethos, core values, culture and way of life.

Frequent changes in this ‘way of life’ and desire for plots, wealth and increasing trends of commercialisation dissipated the armed forces’ ethos and created the space for a new religion-oriented extremism.

The ‘core values’ of the armed forces were ‘integrity’ first, ‘service before self’, ‘professional excellence’ and esprit de corps.

These core values inspired us to do our very best at all times and served as a common bond between comrade-in-arms irrespective of differences in creed, colour or religion.

The scintillating examples of Cecil Choudhry, Middlecourt, Maj Obrian and E.G. Hall, who commanded great respect in PAF, was a manifestation of our unwavering faith in our core values.

The armed forces were respected by all, their conduct was exemplary and professional excellence was their only pursuit.

Let us revive that culture and steadfast faith in our core values and once again emerge as the best armed forces of the world, second to none.

Air Cdre (r) Khayyam Durrani
Karachi

Published in Dawn, September 22nd, 2014