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?
This is Pakistan’s army not of the India which does not have the right to meddle in sovereignty matters of the country. One up to what extent should put up with the servility of our politicians in front of foreign lords. Of course, when they will touch nadir of disrespect, then army mode shall have to be activated automatically. This is what happened in Kerry-Luger bill case.
Army is directly affected by foreign, internal and defense policies and is also a direct participant in them, hence the Army has a right to express its opinion and lobby for its view. Those who view army as “govt servants” don’t seem to under civil-military relationship. The US military is currently fiercely lobbying Obama to send more troops to Afghanistan, while Obama has some other ideas.
Nabeel: I understand Pak Army can’t just pack & leave. But it also sends a signal, things haven’t changed in Pak yet:) Marshal Law can come if the Army ain’t ready to change her mind and mind her own business:)
@Moeen – it would be naive to understate the control of the army in the political system of the country and to think that suddenly army should pack up and leave…not going to happen soon.. However, the reason that the army is speaking up this time is because they are being directly affected by the bill.. for good or for bad reason, if there shall be an audit/probe into where money is being spent.. everyone shall start squealing..
@Syed – For Heaven’s sake would people stop crying about why Zardari is the president. 95% of the critics who lambast Zardari have not even voted in the elections. I feel people who have not been part of the political process have a right to harangue leaders on what is right or what is wrong. You can indeed question him being a tax payer of where your money is being spent. But I think given that we are still in a parliamentary form of government (however flawed that might be) we need to believe in the political process and try to make it better than to give credence to the president.
I feel that sometimes after the involvement of army for more than 60 years into the country we expect it to leave all so suddenly.. that is not going to happen.. There are numerous examples of countries that have had their bouts of civil-military regimes and they have always slipped back again into a dictatorial rule.. Let us all believe in politics and let governments run through 5 years and it is only due to constant running of the system will there be some sort of accountability in the system..and hence I agree with SHR here..
Will the army take over right now.. I am not very positive on that since the army has to repair the image of the army that has been dragged into the daily affairs of the state by Musharraf and discredited.. however if the politicians continue to wrangle over small stuff.. people might actually give the army another chance..
We must all remember.. that in the country the army never occupies through force.. people generally tend to welcome their takeovers.. We as citizens and as a nation need to decide whether our army is the way for us to go ahead…
Those who suggest that Military rule is better than corrupt politicians forget two things. First, politicians can be voted out. This is possible even in a shaky, far from perfect democratic system. Soldiers cannot.
Second, a General who elects himself to a (permanent-until-killed-or-dethroned) position of power is just as corrupt as a typical politician.
I believe each citizen can do more than merely talking about how corrupt politicians are. Start by voting without fail. You can vote for the best among your choices. If you are totally unsatisfied with the choice of candidates, contest the elections yourself or encourage those who can. Read widely. Follow policy debates. Write to the press, to your political representative and your friends and family. None of these measures will ensure turn around immediately. In fact they will lead to disappointment more often than not. But they have to be taken and followed starting today so that at least the next generation can hope for a better polity.