‘Need Stable Hands To Move On From Politics Of Anarchy’: Pakistan Army Chief Amid Poll Result Delay

In a clear message as to who holds the cards in the country, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, has said that the country needs stable hands and added that a unified government of all democratic forces will adequately represent Pakistan’s diverse political and pluralistic landscape, Dawn reported.

He said, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), that elections and democracy are means to serve the people of Pakistan and not ends in themselves.

“The nation needs stable hands and a healing touch to move on from the politics of anarchy and polarisation, which do not suit a progressive country of 250 million people,” Dawn quoted COAS Munir as saying.

“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-interest and synergize efforts in governing and serving the people which is perhaps the only way to make democracy functional and purposeful,” he said.

In a statement issued by ISPR, Munir also praised the caretaker government, the Election Commission of Pakistan, and political parties following the completion of polls. The results of the polls are awaited, however.