It is said that every coming day is more challenging than the previous one. lt is true in the case of Pakistan.

Especially, after the smooth democratic transition in 2013, PML-N government confronted huge challenges in political, social and economic arenas.

With each passing day, these challenges became graver and crucial due to internal and external security threats and poor economic situation.

At the outset, the incumbent government had a tough task of securing Pakistan from the menace of extremism and terrorism.

The war on terror, started by the US in 2001 and in which Pakistan was a major ally, had entered into a decisive phase.

The US had started withdrawing its forces from Afghanistan without establishing peace in the war torn Afghanistan.

America once again needed Pakistan for peace in Afghanistan, but now the relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan were not that promising due to the volatile security situation at Afghan border.

The massacre of innocent children in Peshawar on Dec. 16 2014 made this relationship shakier when the army got the evidence of alleged involvement of Afghan terrorists in the attack.

At that time national unity was given priority and all the political parties joined hands to defeat internal and external extremist forces operating in Pakistan. Also, the army came to the forefront to wipe out the scourge of terrorism from the soil of Pakistan.

Operation Zarb-e-Azab was launched and the National Action Plan was devised to restore peace throughout the country. Zarb-e-Azab and National Action Plan were not mere terms to be used with reference to terrorism in Pakistan; rather they were well thought out and minutely monitored plans by the Pakistan Army and the civil government.

The results of this operation and plan are far and wide and are felt by all and sundry.

According to the data provided by coordinator NAP, almost 70,000 terrorists and 8,852 armed militants have so far been arrested while 126 bank accounts of organized militants have been frozen.

Before operation Zarb-e-Azb, all places — whether schools, mosques, churches or markets — were soft targets for terrorists. Now peace has been restored to a great extent.

The results of this operation are quite visible in Karachi where target killings have reduced by 70 percent and all other incidents of terrorism have come down by 80 percent.

Rangers operations have cleared Karachi from extremist elements.

Besides terrorism and extremism, the incumbent government met a great challenge of improving economic indicators.

High inflation, low FDI and low GDP growth rate were the hallmarks of economy the government inherited from its predecessors.

Due to the prudent economic policies of the government, the inflation rate decreased from double digits to single digit.

The trust of foreign investors was restored and foreign direct investment (FDI) increased rapidly.

International financial institutions such as IMF and the World Bank approved and appreciated policies of the government.

One of the glaring examples of restored trust of foreign investors is the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project.

The $46 billion scheme, comprising road and rail network and projects on energy — inevitable for the prosperity of Pakistan.

It is seen that Pakistan Army is as much interested in CPEC project as much as the civilian government due to the importance it holds for economic growth and strengthening Pak China friendship.

It is very unfortunate that some disgruntled elements in the country are making a hue and cry even over such projects, started to spur growth in Pakistan and destined to become a game changer for the whole region.

At very early stage of this project, government allayed all the reservations of all provinces and opposition parties.

Now when work on CPEC is underway, opposition parties are once again trying to make this multibillion project disputable on the pretext that government is secretive about the scheme.

Every sensible person would know that the government cannot share all details just to be discussed on all forums for the sake of scoring points.

They should keep in mind that neither this project is for an individual nor has it been started for the benefit of a single province. All the four provinces will be its beneficiaries.

The unflinching support of the army to CPEC has increased the importance of this project. The statement of the army chief, “Pakistan will leave no stone unturned to ensure its timely completion and uninterrupted success” is a clear message for those who are trying to sabotage this project of national development.

It further shows the interest of army in strengthening bilateral relations with China in the best interests of the country.

This is also an invitation to the annoyed elements to leave the policy of disagreement and keep aside their reservations in national interests.

Likewise, the issue of Kashmir is once again in the limelight due to the brutality and atrocious activities of the Indian Army.

The martyrdom of young Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani has once again infused a new spirit into the Kashmir freedom struggle.

On various occasions both the army and the government have shown their firm resolve to solve the issue of Kashmir.

The categorical statements of prime minister of Pakistan and adviser on foreign affairs that Kashmir issue is the core issue between Pakistan and India, and composite dialogue can be started only if Kashmir issue is included in the agenda.

The government of Pakistan is pursuing the same policy the previous governments have been pursuing for the last seven decades.

The state policy projected by the government is that Kashmiris should be given the right of self-determination through a plebiscite as per UN Resolutions on Kashmir.

It’s only the inflexible policy of India of declaring Kashmir its integral part that has blocked all the possibilities of negotiations between Pakistan and India.

The government of Pakistan is also raising the issue of violation of human rights by Indian forces in Kashmir and the right to self-determination of Kashmiris in the UN and other international forums effectively.

All the rumor mongers, fanning the differences between military and the civil government on Kashmir issue and other national issues, should abstain from propagating their regressive agenda of creating cleavage between different institutions of country for the sake of personal gains.

National interest should be of prime importance for the completion of all developmental projects and to raise the status of Pakistan in international community.