Elected govt doesn’t get a free pass: COAS
ISLAMABAD:
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Syed Asim Munir has urged the youth of the country to carefully elect their future representatives without being influenced by the use of money or propaganda as he describes social media as “vicious media.”
“The elections will be held on February 8. People should carefully choose their representatives without selling their votes for Rs5,000,” General Munir said on Wednesday while speaking to a gathering of students from various public and private sector universities.
The COAS spoke candidly about the prevailing political situation, governance conditions, divisions in society, and the growing influence of social media on people, particularly the youth.
During his address, the army chief emphasized that incompetent people should not be elected, and lawmakers should be held accountable after the elections.
To a question, General Munir said a five-year constitutional term does not give a license to a political government to misgovern for five years.
“Should political parties be allowed to break Pakistan? Should people keep waiting for the end of the five-year term?” he asked in response to a question about the inability of political governments in the country to complete their five-year terms.
Without naming the PTI, the military chief said: "If a government was dislodged by the majority members of the National Assembly through constitutional means, then why did it become an issue?”
He said the dislodged political party did not remain within the system and opted to take to the streets by resigning from parliament.
The COAS said the current constitutional arrangement does not ensure the accountability of lawmakers before the end of their terms. “If the Constitution is amended and more than 50% of the voters of a constituency can vote to unseat a sitting member, then you will see these politicians performing.”
He said the single goal of all the political parties is to come into power. Those who are in power want to retain it as long as possible, and those who are not in power want to grab it as soon as possible.
“No political party comprises 100% saints or 100% thieves because they are a reflection of our society,” he said, adding that “this also applies to all the institutions of Pakistan.”
Role of Social Media
The military chief urged the youth to research before believing anything shown on social media.
“Governance cannot be performed virtually. It has to be performed on the ground. So do not make your decisions based on a six-inch mobile screen,” he advised.
Elected govt doesn’t get a free pass: COAS | The Express Tribune
Gen Asim says a party opted to get out of system
