Let us not create divisions and remain united: Army Chief

Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman said let us not create divisions. Let us remain united. If there is any problem, any discrepancy among us, we will resolve it through discussions.

He said this at a special program organized at Rawa Club in the capital on Tuesday (February 25) afternoon in memory of the martyred officers who were martyred in the brutal killings in Peelkhana in 2009.

The Army Chief said, today is a painful day. On February 25, 2009, we lost 57 brave officers, not only that, but also some family members. Many have seen it in pictures, but I am an eyewitness to this barbarity. One thing we must always remember is that this barbarity was not committed by any army member. It was completely organized by the then BDR members. Full stop, there are no ifs and buts here. If you bring ifs and buts here, the judicial process that has been going on for so long, those who have been in jail for 16-17 years, those who have been sentenced, that judicial process will be disrupted. We need to remember this very clearly. Do not spoil this judicial process.

He said, the members who have been punished deserve to be punished. The commission will find out whether any political leaders were involved here or not, whether any outside force was involved and will inform you. These smart army members of ours who lost their lives, they lost their lives in the firing of the then BDR members. Some of us have different opinions on these things. We are trying to divert this thing to a different sector. That will not be good for us. I will give some advice today, if you accept it, you will benefit.

General Waqar-uz-Zaman said, let us not create differences ourselves. Let us remain united ourselves. If there is any problem, any discrepancy between us, we will resolve it through discussion. There will be no benefit in running around for this, there will be no benefit except for your own loss – I assure you of this.

He said, some members claim that they have been punished since 2009 till date. Some claim that they have been punished undeservedly. For this, I have formed a board. A Lieutenant General is a member of this board. In the first phase, recommendations have been brought to me regarding 51 members. I have accepted most of the recommendations and I have given more. The Navy and the Air Force are also conducting their activities. If someone has committed a crime, there will be no exemption, not even a single exemption. This is a discipline force, let the discipline force remain disciplined.