COAS says nation needs stable hands, healing touch to move on from politics of anarchy, polarization

Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir has said that the nation needs stable hands and a healing touch to move on from the politics of anarchy and polarisation which does not suit a progressive country of 250 Million people.

He made these remarks in a statement released by Inter-Services Public Relations on Saturday, a day after polling results were concluded.

COAS congratulates the entire nation, caretaker government, Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), political parties and all winning candidates on successful conduct of General Elections 2024.

The Army chief said, according to the ISPR, that Pakistan’s diverse polity and pluralism will be well-represented by a unified government of all democratic forces imbibed with national purpose.

He added that elections and democracy are means to serve people of Pakistan and not ends in themselves.

“Elections are not a zero-sum competition of winning and losing but an exercise to determine the mandate of the people. Political leadership and their workers should rise above self-interests and synergise efforts in governing and serving the people which is perhaps the only way to make democracy functional and purposeful.”

Furthermore, he said, “As the people of Pakistan have reposed their combined trust in the Constitution of Pakistan, it is now incumbent upon all political parties to reciprocate the same with political maturity and unity.

“As we move forward from this national milestone we must reflect on where the country stands today and where our rightful place should be in the comity of nations.”

COAS wishes that these elections bring in political and economic stability and prove to be the harbinger of peace and prosperity for our beloved Pakistan.

He also praised leadership and personnel of law-enforcement agencies for creating a safe and secure environment for the electoral process, despite overwhelming odds.