Adil Najam
The military is never really out of the news in Pakistan. Nor is it ever far from the center of Pakistan politics. But recent event have brought the question of where the Pakistan military is headed into even sharper relief than usual.
There is much speculation – maybe too much speculation – on where the Pakistan military is headed in the coming days and weeks.
There are some who argue that following the attack on the GHQ the military will act even more swiftly on extremists in Pakistan – whether in the Waziristan region or in Southern Punjab. Others feel that the furore created by the Kerry-Lugar Bill has so poisoned the civil-military relationship in Pakistan that even the immediate future of Pakistan’s political displacements may (again) be in doubt. Yet others would argue that while the tensions are all real, the military is in that phase that comes after each prolonged period of military rule when it prefers to remain in the political background while it consolidates its public image.
My own current sense is that there may be some truth in all three scenarios. Possibly in a combination of the three. Of course, there could be other directions in the mix too. What do you think? Where is the Pakistan military headed in the next many days? And what does that mean about where Pakistan is headed?
@ Moeen: Moeen with all due respect, when you authorize the army to be responsible for the national security of this country, than it becomes obligatory upon them to discuss foreign policy issues. You argument is not only shows your ignorance and lack of knowledge, but i question how is the customs, railways responsible for national security. And yet again, the police and rangers are subservient to the interior ministry. But, when the PM of Pakistan openly declares, the Chief of Army Staff will have fully authority to conduct operations and define national security policy, than you surrender you power. The PM could have had appointed the Defence minister, but he chose to appoint the Chief. So when you put a person in charge on National Security, he discusses such stuff in the greater interest of the country. So no sir, he does not dare himself, to say such stuff, he is given the authority by the political government to flex his muscles. Under the rules of business, the President should convey anything he has to say to the PM, the PM to the Defence Minister, Defence Minister to the Chairman Joint Staff Committee and it the CJSC who is the only person authorize to deal directly with the Chief of Army Staff. But, since the political leadership, deems it fit to deal with him directly, you surrender authority. So think again!
@ all : I have been noticing this alot, on alot of blogs, that alot of arguments are based on hatred towards the army, rather than on merits. I respect the opinion of all of you people, but please, dont judge the army on basis of the actions of one man, but rather on merits. The Army is a friend to this country, so do not consider it your enemy. I strongly urge you all to re consider. We all have someone in the army. These individuals in the army are a part of our society. They are all as committed as any of your relatives or friends in the army. So i hope we collectively re consider our opinion.
In my opinion, after Musharraf’s rule (and misrule during his last 2 years) the army top brass came to this conclusion that taking a direct role in the political affairs of the country has severely damaged its reputation. In fact, they were willing to cede the governmental affairs to the civilian leadership, provided of course they show responsibility and results.
However, the current government (in view of the army top brass) has continuously failed on these accounts and ventured into army domains (i.e., ISI, nuclear arena, and somewhat foreign policy). This of course was unacceptable to them and now the army leadership is contemplating going back to the 1990’s when it had a more indirect role in the country’s affairs, much like how Gen Waheed Kakar dealt with the civilians.
As far as, Waziristan and militancy in general is concerned, the military thinks that it is the menace to be dealt with, which has outlived its utility (be it Kashmir or Afghanistan). However, the greater threat for them is India and the 70% of its military stationed near the Pakistani border.
As far as Kerry-Lugar bill is concerned, in my opinion it was more of a mis-communication between various departments of the state (and may be, if the reports are right, due to some unnecessarily ambitious tones taken by the authors), rather than a deliberate attempt to cow the military, but this will be rectified by taking in the opinions of all the stakeholders.
IMHO, the civilians should have control over military affairs, but this can only be done with through performance (in at least the sectors they have full control, i.e., economy, education, health, etc). And then with a passage of time, the military would voluntarily and gradually cede policy areas to civilians, because it is in the interest of both the parties. That is the way to go about it.
SHR: I completely agree with your comments. People don’t realize that those who are against the role of Army in politics are not the fans of politicians; they all agree that politicians are all corrpt. But bringing the army in politics is worse and its so sad that after so many years, we have learnt nothing. Politician is a politician, even in a country like USA, politicians put everything on stake due to the politics; no surprises here. But please, its high time that we tell the army what their role is.
@ Moeen ….. completely agree with what you said.
@ Syed ….. syed saab with all due respect , all of us completely agree on the fact that our politicians are not angels; they are all corrupt and we have selected them, however, what choice did Pakistani people have? people like you and me hate politics/politicians after years of programed destruction of its/their image and off course army had the great role to play in it (in addition to the self destructive role politicians played in it). The fact remains that political government as much corrupt it can be is still answerable to the public in contrast to army dictators who are not answerable to any body. Army should be restricted to their barracks and to perform their jobs under commands from civilian government and not other way around, they have already destroyed our country enough. The sooner we realize this fact, the better.
It is essential for the future of our country that educated masses start to take interest in politics, because we need honest and really hard working people (with no familial and feudal connection) to serve this country.
It is time that GHQ gets the hell out of politics. I strongly believe that if we let the political process continue and if good people start to join politics, after some years bad people will be shunted out and we would see some prosperity in our country. (off course i have no political association).
Good. National assemblies have always been chor; prior to all the marshal laws. Let the marshal law be the law of the land. People graduating from Pakistan Military Academy should have the fate of all Pakistanies in their hands; after all they get all the training in PMA how to run a country:)