I was concerned for #Pakistan before, but a recent speech by the Army Chief has led me to believe that things are truly dire.
His closed-door angry tirade to senior officers in Sialkot has been reliably shared with me. The entire speech was alarming but two points stand out:
First, he threatened the wives and children of his critics.
The May 9 violence was not a good thing and should be transparently investigated, but that is no excuse for threatening harm to innocent family members of retired officers who may have participated.
He also used gutter language in talking about those he regards as his enemies.
Second, he announced that if he “goes down” he will take others down with him۔
His speech demonstrates that he simply does not have the temperament to lead the armed forces of a large and important country, Pakistan. Such a volatile, angry and self-absorbed person must not have his finger on a nuclear button.
A country’s army is a critical institution that must be led by someone possessed of sobriety, calm responsibility, and political neutrality.
ZALMAY KHALILZAD
Former US Ambassador to Afghanistan, Iraq, and the UN.
HYMS INTERNATIONAL 