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?
The army has been dented several times by repeated attacks by terrorists who would sometimes be riding on motorbikes,a public bus or even by a pedestrian.Obviously many questions will be raised about the level of security in and around army installations.Rawalpindi itself where the army is headquartered has seen about a dozen attacks,atleast 5 have been carried out within few hundred yards of the powerful 10 Corps HQ.
Each time the attack is carried out,it dents the confidence of the people in the army to protect itself and a new false pride to the terrorists that they can attack at will and even the army is not safe,let alone an ordinary citizen.
There is no second thought on going into the terrorists den and taking them to task.The military as well as the PAF should unleashe its full firepower on the terrorists in waziristan and elsewhere and decimate their infrastructure completely.Several thousands will be killed,many innocents but thats a price to be paid.
Militants in south Punjab is a different story.There is no need for the army to go in there.Instead something like a special police swat team can do the job.Spies should be mingled among the general public in south Punjab and intelligence passed to the crack commando force who then move in and kill them all.
The previous Generals of the Pak Army were of the “Knee-Jerk” variety. Some times even “pre-emptive” OR in their protectionist mode, “Preventive.”
Unlike the rest in the country, they seem to have learnt their lessons including the present General.
NOW they FABIUS.
As in the Fabian Society.
This could lead to another train wreck. It all depends on how Zardari and co treat Gen Kayani and the Corpse Commanders. If the Govt tries to enforce their authority as bestowed on them by the Parliament, they will be kicked out sooner rather than later. It all depends on whether Zardari and PM Gilani can toe the army line in the coming weeks and months.
It is better for Zardari to sack Gen Kayani very quietly and replace him with a more pliant Chief. But the big question then becomes if that ‘pliant’ chief will remain so once in office. Would he or would he not become another Musharraf?
More than asking Where the Pakistan military is headed, the pertinent question to ask is Where Pakistan is headed?
Dont worry there wont be a any Martial Law anytime soon. First business at hand is to take care of the turds and their supporters, handlers and sympathizers that attacked the GHQ – an act of war
I can’t say where the military leadership is heading, but I sadly have to admit that the lower and middle ranks are heavily paying the price of the on-going operations. While the high-ups are busy discussing the K.L. Bill or the Waziristan issue on long tables, their subordinates are left to battle on the mountains of Swat, to protect the forts of the Army installations, to guard the streets and highways of Quetta and Peshawar and to ultimately embrace death by the hand of the terrorists. Before we begin to fathom the mystery of the upcoming scenario, lets all take a moment to salute and pay homage to these brave martyrs who valiantly defend their motherland and die for it. Long live the soldier!