The message is loud clear. There is neither any exemption nor anyone above the law, as the Pakistan Army goes ahead with accountability of former ISI chief Lt-Gen (retd) Faiz Hameed.

No one should have any doubt as some circles have been hoping for a divide among the rank and file of military for their political gains at the cost of people, society and state.

However, the latest Corps Commanders Conference, as shared in a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relation (ISPR), once again killed their hopes, although there shouldn’t have been any doubts at first place.

The army commanders highlighted the fact that they represent a “disciplined institution”, where the “professionalism, integrity, and loyalty to the state and institution” are the only criteria.

In other words, no one can use his position to pursue personal goals for financial and political gain while using the institution as a camouflage.

As the Pakistan Army prides itself on a rigorous system of accountability, the corps commanders also gave a message to the critics: “no individual is above the law or exempted from scrutiny.”

However, Tuesday also a related development, as the incarcerated PTI founding chairman, Imran Khan, moved the Islamabad High Court (IHC) just hours before the ISPR released the statement.

Imran has requested the IHC to protect him from the expected trial under the Army Act for his involvement in the May 9 attacks.

Also read: Afghan Taliban, Al Qaeda Asked For FATA Revival. Imran Said Yes

But the reasoning given to plead his case is quite self-explaining. The petition mentions the arrest of an officer without naming Faiz and says there is a possibility of he being used as an approver against him. One wonders how and why he made this prediction if the two are not connected and Imran isn’t involved in planning the violence perpetrated by the PTI supporters on May 9 and 10.

In short, this legal stunt shows the nexus between the two, with Imran seeing himself as the next “candidate” for accountability over his actions.

One mustn’t forget the fact that Imran has been using technicalities to prolong trial in different cases.

Also read: Imran Is Using Frivolous Tactics To Delay 190-Million-Pound Case

This indirect admission also explains the real motives and desperation behind the latest sudden urge for talks despite the fact that Imran has been blaming Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir for alleged victimization.

As there has been repeated criticism over the failure to punish those involved in the May 9 violence, the army chief also noted the urgent need for robust and effective legal system. He again reaffirmed the institutional commitment to extend comprehensive support to the government, administrative apparatus, and law enforcement agencies in taking swift and lawful action against terrorists, anarchists, and criminal mafias.

The chaos being created mainly through the use of social media by far-right and ultranationalist forces around the world is well documented now. Even leaders in the developed countries are describing organized propaganda as the biggest threat to democracy.

In this environment, Pakistan isn’t and couldn’t be an exception. We have been seeing what these elements are trying to achieve by inciting people to violence with the sole aim of targeting the national institutions. They want a weakened Pakistan which suits several global and regional players. That’s why the corps commanders also underscored the need for safeguarding national cyber space through stringent cybersecurity measures.

It seems that Pakistan is on the right track after years of political uncertainty. The promised accountability will surely go a long way to not only dispel the unfounded impression that Pakistan is a fragile state but also strengthen the military’s stature as an institution that doesn’t compromise on principles.