Pakistan is primarily an agricultural country and its economy depends on agriculture, but due to poor policies of the governments, adverse natural conditions or misfortune, an agricultural commodity exporting country is currently forced to import wheat and food items as a result. The foreign exchange reserves have shrunk and the trade deficit has increased to an unsustainable level, the measures taken to control it are not working.

In such a situation, the determination of the Pakistan Army to contribute to the efforts to bring about an agricultural revolution in the country must be appreciated. The foundation of agricultural revolution has been laid with the inauguration of Model Agriculture Farm in Khanewal.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir expressed his firm intention to get Pakistan out of the current economic crisis and said that the agricultural revolution will continue. No power in the world can stop us from progressing. With this announcement of the Army Chief, the morale of those who grow grain by ripping open the chest of the land will certainly be high.

These words of the Army Chief reflect the fact that security and economy go hand in hand because security is indispensable for economy and security for economy. Pakistanis are a proud and talented nation and the Pakistan Army is proud to serve its nation.

We will create modern farms in the style of Khanewal model farms, which will be spread across Pakistan. This will lead to an agricultural revolution that will benefit small farmers. The practical manifestations of the determination expressed by the Army Chief are being seen in different parts of the country.

The Pakistan Army not only protects the borders but also stands with the nation in every difficulty even in times of peace. It is the first to come to the aid of people in natural calamities, it also plays a commendable role in projects to provide education, health, communication and other facilities of life in peacetime.

At present, when Pakistan is going through a very difficult period of economic decline, the determination to put the country back on its feet by bringing about an agricultural revolution is a bold step that can be implemented by collective efforts.

In this regard, the concept of model agricultural farms is the result of a revolutionary thought, which has been implemented from Khanewal. Millions of acres of land in the country are barren and uninhabited. By making it arable, Pakistan can revive its declining economy.

Farmers are an example of hard work and perseverance for our farmers. If they are provided modern facilities, they can produce gold from soil. Pakistan Army is coming to their aid. The government also plans to support them in various ways.

Many schemes have been announced in this regard. These include providing cheap fertilizers and loans on easy terms. There is no reason why the dream of agrarian revolution cannot be realized if the government coming after the elections continues to follow the farmer-friendly policies of the current government and improves them further.

History will write the role of Pakistan Army in golden letters in this regard. Political parties should consider agricultural development in their election programs and give importance to the advice and practical help of the military leadership apart from the agriculturists.

It may be mentioned here that earlier a seminar was held in this regard. In order to consider the measures to control the food shortage situation, a national seminar on the issue of food security was held in Islamabad earlier this month.

Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir was present along with Pakistani representatives. The Army Chief expressed the firm commitment of the army to make Pakistan green and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif added to the significance of his announcement by saying that Green Pakistan, which can rightly be called the Agricultural Revolution. General Asim Munir said in his speech that we have all kinds of capabilities. Pakistan has to develop which no power in the world can stop. Pakistan Army will fulfill the aspirations of the nation with full zeal in implementing all government initiatives like Green Pakistan under the Special Investment Facilitation Council. Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif said that the Green Initiative will be the second major green revolution for the country after 1960, which will open new avenues of development for Pakistan, under which foreign investment of 150 billion dollars is expected in the next five years, 40 lakh people will get employment.  In a couple of years, our agricultural economy will be restored.

After which we will not have to go out and ask for loans. Gulf countries are ready to invest under this program. He emphasized on political stability for economic security, without which no foreign country would be willing to invest.

The speakers which included experts from agriculture, textile, leather and livestock sectors paid special attention to the agricultural development and appreciated the government and Pakistan Army and emphasized on public private partnership in this regard and bringing economic benefits to small farmers.  It was also said that the Green Pakistan program will help increase the export of agricultural products and decrease the imports, which will stabilize the country's economy, apart from food security.

Under the Green Pakistan programme, lakhs of acres of neglected or barren land will be brought under cultivation, which will not only meet the food requirement of the country but will also enable the export of surplus wheat.  In this way, Pakistan will again become a wheat exporting country, but for this the farmers will have to be given facilities.

The involvement of Pakistan Army in this campaign can prove to be the source of its success.  Now it is up to the political parties, farmers and other stakeholders to ensure and follow positive policies to create stability in the country because without political stability and collective efforts, economic revival is impossible.