Misconception regarding Pak Army

Dr. Jassim Taqui

DG Al-Bab Institute for Strategic studies

Islamabad; first July 2021: Today, there exists opprobrium among minority analysts both in Pakistan and abroad regarding the Pak Army(PA) and its role in the fight against terrorism. Those analysts fail to understand the gigantic role of the PA in a most dangerous and challenging global environment. However, statistics tell you a different story. The PA conducts its affairs in the global war against terrorism under UN and/or bilateral commitments approved by the UN.

For example, PA participated silently in the war against ISIS in support of the Iraqi army as per disclosure by former Ambassador of Iraq to Pakistan Dr. Ali Rahmani on the occasion of victory against ISIS on December 10. 2017.

In the case of Saudi Arabia, the PA deployed 65000 to help Saudi Arabia defending its security and sovereignty during the 1980-19888 Iraq-Iran war.

During the 1991 Gulf war, the PA deployed in Kuwait 13000 and 16000 military advisors.

The story is even stronger for UAE. The PA established an armored school before the creation of the UAE when the emirates were called the Trucial States. After independence, four Pakistani Air Commodores were successively chiefs of the UAE Airforce.

The PA took part in defending Syria during June 1967 six-day war with Israel. Saiful Azam was the lone pilot who downed two Israeli warplanes over Damascus.

Saudi Arabia asked for help from SSG to help evict extremists from Al-Masjid ul Haram in 1978.

PAF was the only air force to be asked by Zimbabwe to organize and train its pilots during 1983-1986.

During the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the PA deployed 700 troops for training and military advisory purposes.

The PA troops in Qatar are estimated at 650. The purpose is to ensure the security of the ruling regime.

In Bahrain, the PA deployed 150 teams of PN to help to combat piracy in the high seas in collaboration with the navies of Italy, France, Germany, and Canada which are deployed there. Additionally, Pakistan deployed 110000 troops including 10000 soldiers assigned for security missions.

The PA sent an armored brigade to stabilize the revolt of the Palestinians against King Hussain bin Talal (Black September affairs). Even today the PAF is helping the Royal Jordanian Air Force in stabilizing King Abdullah II’s regime from threats emanating from Israel and the Palestinians.

Most importantly, the PA is contributing 700 soldiers to peace-keeping missions in 14 countries as per UN statistics published on February 11, 2021.

Recognizing the professionalism of the PA, Nato proposed the formation of the Tripartite Committee of Pakistan, Turkey, and Hungry to protect Kabul Airport and Western embassies in the Afghan capital. The committee was formed on June 15, 2021.

The PA gave the US logistic help that enabled it to face and obliterate the danger of Al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. That help cost Pakistan dearly; 70000 dead, over $123 billion financial losses, transfer of terror to its cities, tremendous social impacts, the initiation of more secessionist movements, drug trafficking, money laundering, organized crimes, human trafficking, armed wings in all major political parties, intolerance, extremism, systemic attacks against the minorities, the emergence of suicide bombers among men, women, and children, racial, and sectarian trends, reactionaries, and the unprecedented phenomenon of raping children, women and even men.

Clearly, the Pak Army is massively contributing to the war on terror and the stability of the vulnerable regimes around the globe.