COAS Gen Asim congratulates nation, interim govt on conducting 'successful' elections

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Saturday congratulated the entire nation, Caretaker government, Election Commission of Pakistan, and all winning candidates on conducting successful elections.

The statement issued by the Pakistan Army's media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said free and unhindered participation by Pakistani people to exercise their right to vote demonstrated their commitment to democracy and the rule of law as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan.

"Leadership and personnel of law-enforcement agencies deserve our highest appreciation for creating a safe and secure environment for the electoral process, despite overwhelming odds," it added.

In a statement, the chief armyman said the nation needed stable hands and a healing touch to move on from the politics of anarchy and polarisation, which did not suit a progressive country of 250 million people.

"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-interests and synergise efforts in governing and serving the people which is perhaps the only way to make democracy functional and purposeful," the army chief said.

He said that the people have reposed combined trust in the Constitution, adding that, "it is now incumbent upon all political parties to reciprocate the same with political maturity and unity." 

"As we move forward from this national milestone we must reflect on where the country stands today and where our rightful place should be in the comity of nations," the statement read.

The COAS wished that the elections would bring political and economic stability and prove to be the harbinger of peace and prosperity for Pakistan.