The New Nation - Internet Edition

LAST Wednesday Army Chief General Moeen U Ahmed in an opinion exchange meeting with the editors of newspapers, news agencies and chiefs of electronic media organisations dismissed speculations and doubts regarding the upcoming general elections. The army chief, in clear terms said that the election would be held in time as has been laid down in the road map of the Election Commission. Such an assertion was essential and it came at an appropriate time.

General Moeen gave a brief resume of the tasks the army has accomplished over the last one year and a quarter. Our people in many matters applaud the army's constructive nation building role. It is reassuring that the army does not think of capturing the political power. In fact, he has been untiringly saying so since 1/11 of the year 2007. The army chief termed the media as Parliament. He was unambiguous regarding the election but was equally emphasising on the quality of the people who will be elected to the Parliament. He said that honest and efficient people should constitute Parliament.

Now, by the concerted efforts of all concerned, the ideal point of getting honest and efficient people elected to the Parliament should be taken care of. But one point should be clearly understood, that the goal cannot be achieved overnight. This is a process and needs to be pursued patiently for quite a long time. General Moeen treated the editors to a lunch most of the items of the menu being prepared with potato. General Moeen was possibly in a subtle manner proving true to his call for the people to take potato along with rice. Bringing some change in our national food habit is necessary. But any persuasion on that at a time when rice is dearer runs the risk of being misinterpreted.