Daily Times

Advisor to Prime Minister on National History and Literary Heritage Irfan Siddiqui on Thursday claimed that there was no “rift between government and military” as portrayed by some quarters, saying Operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched due to the political will of the present government and collectively carried out by people, government and army to eliminate terrorism.

“There is no rift by the government and military, which is evident from the smooth departure of for chief of army staff General (r) Raheel Sharif, who served for three years and handed over command to his successor, appointed by the government,” Irfan Siddiqui said while speaking at the launching ceremony of a thematic calendar at a local hotel.

The thematic calendar on history of Pakistan was launched by Jahan-e-Masiha Adbi Forum (JMAF) in collaboration with a pharmaceutical company to apprise people, especially medical fraternity and students about struggle and sacrifices for Pakistan. Senior literary personalities including eminent writer and poet Khwaja Razi Haider, doctors including Prof Dr Fareed Zafar, Prof Dr Sajid Maqbool, Prof Dr Tariq Waseem, Prof Dr Zohra Khanam, Prof Dr Asma Gul, Syed Jamshed Ahmed and Dr Iqbal Ahmed also addressed the ceremony.

Irfan Siddiqui on the occasion maintained that the launch of Operation Zarb-e-Azb was not a military decision alone, instead it was launched with the political will of the present government and carried out by the government, army and people of Pakistan collectively. “No such operation was carried out in the Musharraf era, then came the five year tenure of Pakistan People’s Party but they also did not make any effort to root out terrorism from our soil. It was the political will of this government that resulted in the launching of a joint operation by military, government and people of Pakistan,” he claimed.

Without referring to political opponents, the former columnist said decision of majority of Pakistani people should be respected, considered and accepted by all quarters, adding that it is the people of Pakistan who would decide whether the government is good or bad. He indicated that elections would be held as per schedule and people of Pakistan would decide whether to change the government or they were satisfied with its performance.

Terming the launch of thematic calendar a good effort to introduce Pakistan movement and struggle of Pakistan among doctors and common people, he said it was an “ideological tonic”, prepared by a pharmaceutical company with the help of some literary personalities and should be followed by other medicine firms in the country also. “My ministry; National History and Literary Heritage, is a poor ministry and we don’t have huge financial resources at our disposal. You people have taken out a masterpiece in form of thematic calendar and I would urge you to collaborate with us also in preparing more such valuable, historic masterpieces,” he added.

Siddiqui also expressed sorrow and grief over loss of 48 lives in PIA plane crash near Abottabad including death of preacher and former signer Junaid Jamshed, saying the entire nation was mourning the deaths of such a large number of people in an unfortunate incident.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Organizer of Jahan-e-Masiha Adbi Forum Khwaja Razi Haider said they were brining thematic calendars for last 17 years in order to promote literature, habit of reading and promote ideology of Pakistan to promote soft image of the country. He maintained that their target audience was the medical fraternity and doctors, who had become machines due to their hectic schedule and way of life but Jahan-e-Masiha Adbi Forum was striving hard to promote reading habits and literary sense among them.

Pharmevo Chief Operating Officer Syed Jamshed Ahmed said their company was behind creation of hematic calendars for last 17 years in order to promote various themes including Islamic ideology, ideology of Pakistan, lover of art and literature and bring peace and harmony in the country.

Renowned physician Prof Dr Asma Gul said it was hearting to learn that a pharmaceutical company was involved in literary activities, saying they also hold book festivals, literary activities and promote reading habits, which was extremely commendable. Dozens of doctors and physicians as well as pharmacists from various hospitals and health facilities attended the thematic calendar launch by the Jahan-e-Masiha Adbi Forum and termed it was welcome move by the literary forum to promote history and struggle of Pakistan in the shape of a thematic calendar.