Musharraf’s Farewell Speech to the Army
Earlier today, Pervez Musharraf gave his farewell address to the army of Pakistan, passing the baton on to Gen. Ashfaq Kayani.
Musharraf appeared very stoic, if not discomfited; his successor, Kayani, was calm and cool. Nonetheless, the speech was revealing, with Musharraf detailing the formative role the army has played in his life and the role it should play as nation-builder and guardian of Pakistan.
THE ARMY AS “FAMILY”
Musharraf began his address by thanking Kayani and others for the honor they gave him.
He stated that after 46 years, he is saying goodbye to the army.
The outgoing chief of army staff said, “This army is my life. This army is my passion. I have given this army my love.”
Musharraf stated it was difficult to translate his sadness into words. He described the army as a family — a family that has given him its complete love and loyalty.
He added, that everything good has its end. Everyone has their time to go. This is how life works.
Musharraf continued by saying that while he’s sorry that he has to relinquish command of this “family,” he knows that he spent his 46 years with happiness and honor.
The army, said the former chief of staff, has provided him with many lessons. It has shaped the man he is — all of him. Everything he has learned — his knowledge, confidence, and people and leadership skills — has been taught to him by the army.
Musharraf then highlighted his army experiences. They included two external wars; internal security duties in Sui and Dera Bugti; flood relief; and a year’s service in a high-altitude area.
He said, he had comrades die in his arms during his war. The memories of difficulty and struggle, he remarked, are long-lasting.
THE “SAVIORS” OF PAKISTAN
Next, Musharraf went on to describe his view of the Pakistan army and its role in the country.The army, he said, is an integrating force. It defends national honor and integrity. It and its members are the “saviors of Pakistan.”
Pakistan’s army, commented Musharraf, defends the country from foreign attacks, as well as internal dangers, such as IEDs and suicide attacks. It has brought relief after floods in Balochistan, earthquakes in NWFP and Azad Kashmir. The army, said Musharraf, has reached areas inaccessible by machinery — such as when it developed roads in the remote Karakoram Valley.
Musharraf said it has been an honor to command the army and those who point a figure at or complain about it trouble him. These individuals don’t know, he commented, that the army is the guardian of Pakistan’s security and development.
THE ARMY’S CURRENT CHALLENGES
Musharraf said there is much “pressure” on the army today. Kashmir has always remained problematic. But today, FATA is a source of consternation and there are challenges in the settled areas of the NWFP. Balochistan has its security problems, though its state has improved.Musharraf conceded that the army is “stretched” to the “limit.” But at the same time, he asserted his belief that this “world class army” can rise to the challenges. He told his fellow service members that “when we put this uniform on, we seal our fate…to risking our lives for our country.” He described it as a trust and duty that can’t be shied away from.
Musharraf asserted that “we” — the army — “has to bring this country forward,” knocking out any obstacles along the way. The army, he said, has to face the current challenges and dangers and he is certain that it is prepared.
He expressed his contentment that he, in his opinion, leaves the army in “good condition” with the best equipment and training ever.
ON ASHFAQ KAYANI
Musharraf said that he’s known Gen. Kayani for over 20 years — since the latter was a colonel. He said he has been aware of Kayani’s greatness as a soldier and is certain that the army under him will reach new heights. Musharraf added that Kayani will give the army the dedication he’s shown him. He prayed that God preserves Kayani and enables him to lead the army with confidence and style, taking it to new thresholds.
THE “END”
Musharraf concluded as he began — very emotionally. He said, “I have taken off the uniform, but my heart and mind will always be with you.” Musharraf, now-ex chief of army staff, said he will remain concerned over the army’s interests and state.
I cant stop laughing at the statements made by the dictator. Lets take them one by one.
1. “He described the army as a family — a family that has given him its complete love and loyalty”
This is exactly what the nation is crying about that the ARMY is no more an ARMY only in Pakistan. It has converted itself into a class. A class that considers itself above law of land & demands a special place in politics where it MUST be heard else….. you know what i mean.
2. “Musharraf asserted that “we” — the army — “has to bring this country forward,” ”
So what else it had been doing for last 60 years except bringing itself forward MR MUSHARRAF?
3. “knocking out any obstacles along the way”
So removing all top judges and curbing free society and throwing every person who disagrees to your view part of this plan ?
4. “But at the same time, he asserted his belief that this “world class army” can rise to the challenges”
Thats why we have now many hundred poor low salaried Jawans at the mercy of Al-Qaeda ? Your involvement in politics has thrown you to the rock bottom of professionalism dude.
5. ““when we put this uniform on, we seal our fate…”
Thats exactly why we call for complete removal of ARMY from politics you dumb a*** GENERAL. You guys dont know howto think differently, dont know howto say NO & you are trained to say YES and hear YES. You have nothing to do with how the government be run.
Last but not the least, Here is a mistake MUSH made in the end. HE said :-
6. Musharraf, now-ex chief of army staff, said he will remain concerned over the army’s interests and state.
This should have been “ARMY’s Interest in STATE”
Musharraf cried like a woman. What kind of a leader is he?
[...] others — has noted, feigns himself to be indispensable for Pakistan’s progress. In his farewell address to the military today, Musharraf referred to the army as the “savior of Pakistan,” and the guardian of [...]
Long Live Gen Musharraf!!!!!!
We Have alwayz supported you and Inshallah Will remain your source of support till our death.
We dont Care What people say about the army but its true that army iz the saviour of the country…..I myself belong to Muzaffarabad and I know that it was the Army who were the first one to come for our rescue after the earthquake……Evan the local authorities who were always sayin shit about Gen Musharraf and Army, were waiting for the army to come and start the rescue operation. So plz I request u all to respect our army kyun k aap key itni mukhalfat k bawjood bhee they r alwayz ready to give their lives for u guyz.And I just wanna tell one of my friend who wrote in the comments that army is “trained to say YES and hear YES”, sir main aap sey sirf itna hee kahoon ga k jis din army main “NO” agaya us din army aur Mutahda Mujlis e amal main koi faraq nahin rahey ga.
Musharaf I am one of the biggest fan of yours.You are a practical man and ofcourse a brave man also . I can never forget the words of your first speech that “Your armed forces are ready to laid down their lives till the last drop of their blood”. I am a civilian but still I do not think that I am seperate from army I am ready to laid down my life for my beloved country Pakistan.
PAKISTAN CAME INTO BEING AS IT WAS DESTINED TO BE COME RAIN OR SHINE PAKISTAN WILL REMAIN AS IT IS.INSHALLAH