Ex-servicemen come forward to support the Rangers

Lahore: The Pakistan Ex-servicemen Association (PESA) on Sunday fully supported the activities and report of Director General Rangers and demanded continued operation to clean up financial capital of country from violence, extortion, kidnapping for ransom and target killings.

The Federal Government must ensure that all cases detected by Rangers are taken to their logical conclusion and no political convenience is allowed to delay justice, irrespective of the status of the guilty, the former military leaders said.

This was observed in an emergent meeting of the Executive Council of PESA presided by Lt Gen Ali Kuli Khan. Air Marshal Masood Akhtar, Lt Gen Naeem Akbar, Brig Mian Mahmud, Brig Arbi Khan, Brig Simon Sharaf, Maj Farouk Hamid, Brig Masud ul Hassa as well as Brig Akram Malik and Brig Waqar Raja from Veterans’ Own were also present.

The investigations must not be put under wraps due to any political pressure or Constitutional constraints. If 18th amendment restricts hands of the Federal Government, then appropriate steps be taken to rectify those drawbacks, they said.

Government must ensure total human equality while dealing with all cases of corruption and other unlawful activities. Punitive action must be taken against all found guilty of or supporting corruption/terrorism, irrespective of their status and rank including the armed forces.

The former military leaders said that Rangers must not be allowed to degenerate into another politicized force like police by placing undue restrictions on completion of the mission that has been assigned to it.

Mr Zardari, head of a political party, taking salute at a formal police ceremony as Chief Guest was a clear indication of its total politicization, they noted.

They reiterated that the present problems of extreme greed and corruption are occurring because we have failed to learn and practice the values of equality, freedom and brotherhood described by our Founding Fathers.

Progress of Zarb-e-Azab was appreciated and the martyrs were paid glowing tributes. It was, however, unfortunate that the affected IDPs have not yet started going back to their areas despite claims by the government.

Federal as well as KPK governments must take immediate actions towards resettlement and security of these IDPs. Within its limited resources, PESA worked with the Army to provide relief to the IDPs. It is again prepared to contribute its efforts towards their early resettlement. PESA also urges the Federal and Provincial Governments that they must immediately take steps to put in place adequate and efficient civil administrations in all FATA and PATA areas cleared of terrorists.