Because Pakistani Generals are not employee of army chief, they are employee of armed forces of Pakistan. Armed forces work under Army Chief and even though generals may talk ‘for or against’ something within the core commanders’ meeting and lower rank officer may pass their reservations to their immediate army officers, in the end, army chief take decision on behalf of all.
Unless that decision is below moral ground army values (like making decision because of monetary benefit to army chief, taking commission, nepotism, etc), all generals accept that decision regardless of personal reservations, however weak the decision maybe (and obviously, weak or strong decision reflects personality of army chief as well as level of pressure by other generals, political consideration, and circumstances army chief is facing).
But when an army generals in active service comes to public for statement, they do not give statement on their own behalf, but they have to give statement on behalf of Pakistan armed forces and thus that statement would be, what army chief considered appropriate and decided to follow.
If army general in service makes statement against what army chief decided then obviously that general could get court martialed. … So, generals have two choice when in service … either revolt against their superior (that happens if superior lose moral ground to lead) risking court martial if revolt fails (and that can happen if most in armed forces sides with army chief … as they may not consider chief’s decision below moral ground that army values) … or obey orders (though after giving their own opinions to their superiors).
Once retired, an army general speaks for himself, and then they can make statement what they think was right … not what army chief considered right (even though chief’s decision would be with consultation of other generals, various pressures on him, and due to personal character and value).
As for timing, Pakistan is not at war as some people like to portray … (though even war is not excuse for retired army general not to give their opinion in public). What Pakistan and Pakistan armed forces are doing is trying to fight and clear insurgents, traitors, rebels and terrorists who are creating ‘Fitna and Fasad’ within state (Pakistan), and this in no way can be called emergency or state of war situation, rather this is routine matter for many countries.
Actually, what is happening in Pakistan, armed forces fighting terrorists (or rebels, freedom fighters, etc) who are creating fitna and fasad in country, is such that some countries are doing that for years … For instance, Pakistan is fighting such war in Baluchistan since early 1950s (though comparatively at smaller scale), India is fighting such war in Kashmir and other places since 1947. Sri-lanka fought such war with Tamils for decades. Philippines is fighting this war for decades too … and so on.
And whatever General Athar Abbas mentioned, that would not hinder but would help people understand what is happening in the country. Timing is most appropriate too.
Gen Athar Abbas statement is most appropriate at this time (especially at this time), because Pakistan armed forces have started an operation against Kharjee terrorists. Before the operation and even after operation started, many tried to create impression that these terrorists are ‘Asmani Makhluq’ causing doubt that Pakistan army cannot crush these terrorists rather terrorists are too strong.
**Gen Athar Abbas statement shows that terrorists are not that strong (as some people like to make them), neither army is worried or scared (or was ever worried or scared) to start operation against Kharjee terrorists, rather army would have started operation against these terrorists long time ago, but it was not weakness in Pakistan army that kept army away from operation, it was a weak army chief that kept the operation from starting due to his own fear and personal weakness.
In other words, **people should not worry or doubt that army would be unable to succeed in sending these Kharjee thugs where they belong (fire of Hell).**I am pretty sure that General Athar statement must have given moral support and self-belief to army officers and Jawans fighting these Kharjee terrorists … **as impression people were getting from the statements of previous army chief and some coward politicians (and politicians who bed with these terrorists) was that **… Kharjee terrorists are too strong, they defeated America and would defeat Pakistan army, they are Asmani Makhlooq, they would create havoc in Pakistan if operation against them get started, Pakistan army would suffer huge losses (in death and injury), Pakistani people would also suffer badly … and so on. But after Gen Athar’s Statement, we people, lower ranking Pakistani officers and Jawans would now know that it was not fear of Kharjee Taliban terrorist that was keeping the operation on them at bay (specially operation in N Waziristan and other tribal areas), but it was fear and personal weakness of previous army chief that was holding Pakistan army from operation. **
So, calm down. 