I HAD no intention of expressing my views on what the former services personnel think of the country’s political situation, but the recent press conference in Islamabad by some of them and its subsequent circulation on social media has forced me to put the record straight to the extent that an individual can. I take it as my duty to do that.

This humble man is an 82-year-old citizen, an old soldier of the Baloch Regiment from 27th Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) long course (PA6757) and author of four books on Pakistan affairs and the Kashmir issue that have been highly appreciated in civil and military circles.

Lt-Gen (retd) Ali Kuli Khan is from 29th PMA long course and we know each other well since the academy days. We both also served in East Pakistan during the difficult time. His father, Gen Habibullah, was also very kind and appreciative of me during his visit to Chittagong during May 1971. Lt-Gen Ali is well aware of my humble contribution both during peace and war. Presently, my second and third generations are serving in the armed forces.

Whatever we both have done during peace and war was our sacred duty towards the motherland that has the right to expect a certain set of behaviour from its professional soldiers. There are thousands of retired officers settled in various parts of Pakistan, therefore a handful of officers from Rawalpindi/Islamabad calling themselves ‘veterans’ cannot be the representatives of all the retired officers.

Many officers, including senior general officers from Rawalpindi/Islamabad, who are well-known and kind to me, did not attend the press conference in question and kept themselves away from such activities.

Most of us are from a humble background and whatever we are today is because of Allah, Pakistan and the armed forces. So, while sitting in our comfortable, palatial houses, drawing hefty pensions/perks, I find it highly unfair to form a pressure group to dictate terms and conditions.

No, sir, this is not in conformity with the army way of life and code of conduct expected of retired officers. However, the organisation of veterans should concentrate on the welfare of all retired ranks of the three services as well as on social work instead of getting involved in active politics under the garb of the uniform they once wore.

A retired officer has only the following options: he must give undiluted support and loyalty to the sitting chief of the army staff by having faith in the unity of command and the chain of command right down to the unit level. Let us not try to be super intellectuals. The man riding the horse knows well what to do, how to do it and when to do it.

A retired officer can join a political party of choice and take active part in politics like many other officers, and may also write a paper singly or by a panel of retired officers and send it to all the relevant quarters. This will be officer-like conduct.

Notwithstanding the above, the retired officers should not resort to ‘unionism’ and should not behave like a collective bargaining agent (CBA) of an industrial outfit.

There are thousands of officers across the country. This humble man is in contact with many officers, including general officers, brigadiers, colonels, majors and others who are of the similar views expressed herein.

The officers in Rawalpindi/Islamabad should not use the good name and shoulder of Lt-Gen Ali Kuli Khan who has a reputation of being an upright and highly professional general officer.

Lt-Col (retd) Syed Iftikhar Ahmed
Karachi

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2022