By IANS
Islamabad : The Pakistani Army has chalked out a comprehensive plan for the welfare of soldiers, says its new chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
Kayani “confirmed the plan without formally unfolding its details”, The News reported Thursday, adding that the army chief has already declared 2008 as ‘the year of the soldier’.
“The implementation of the plan will commence from next week and it would continue to be operative throughout the year. No fanfare is expected to be displayed at the time of the initiation of the plan,” the newspaper said.
“It is likely that the army would fulfil all the needs for the project from the sources stipulated for it and no extra burden will come on the national exchequer. The idea has been widely acclaimed by the people and all the ranks of the armed forces,” it added.
Responding to a question, Kayani said the plan was all about the provision of better health, education, shelter, job and other essential facilities for the families of soldiers.
“This will certainly help in morale boosting of soldiers in a great way as soldier is the backbone of any army,” he added.
“It is significant to mention that the soldiers that constitute the majority of the Army have been provided food and clothing facilities in reasonably good manner but their families, which generally live most of the time away from the head of the family, face difficulties due to the non-availability of essential services in their vicinities. Their pensions are not high enough and facilities for the families needed to be improved,” The News said.
“Kayani hails from a soldier’s family and his background has inspired him to do something tangible to start with his community. He is known for engaging ordinary soldiers whenever he finds time side by side brainstorming with senior officers while performing his professional duties.
“For this approach, he attained enormous popularity among all the ranks of the army during his years with the force in various capacities,” the newspaper added.