This is by far the clearest articulation of the army's position on its role in upholding constitutional democracy and related issues exercising the minds of people across the board. All speculations and misgivings, if there be any, about the army overstepping its limits must now be put to rest. Gen Moeen's forthright statement has really cleared the air and it must go down very well with the political parties, civil society and the people at large. At the same time, internationally, it is bound to resonate well with our friends and well-wishers and co-travellers of democracy. So, Moeen's statement strikes a responsive chord both nationally and internationally.

We are doubly heartened by Gen Moeen's affirmation of his stated commitment to press freedom and the journalists' right to report freely. Here he actually echoes the chief adviser's words to the effect that there being no direct channel of communication currently between the government and the people in the absence of parliament, it is the media which has to be basically relied on as vital source of information.

This is more the reason, we believe, why the media should be allowed to play its due role without any form of intimidation or interference from any quarters; because without it, the government cannot be the beneficiary of information about the true state of affairs.

Gen Moeen admitted there might have been operational glitches initially owing to over-enthusiasm of some officers. Indeed, there was the PID hand-out and occasional telephone calls to newspaper offices which made journalists feel intimidated. The army chief has held out assurances of assistance if any indiscretion is reported to the headquarters.

Now that the deck has been cleared of any ambiguity about the army's role and its belief in press freedom, we expect any vestigial remnants of interference with responsible and free journalistic work to take leave of us.