Military Incorporated

The high command should take it out of commercial concerns

With a new COAS in place, there is a need to take measures to make military a thoroughly non- controversial body. Measures were taken under former COAS to distance the armed forces from politics which had been widely applauded. What is required is to extricate the institution from the process of decision-making in the realm of foreign policy as well as policies connected with internal security. Musharraf, and by implication the army, is subjected to criticism for yielding to excessive American demands after 9/11, like providing the US bases inside Pakistan which were used to launch drone attacks in tribal areas. He was also put in the dock for handing over hundreds of foreigners and Pakistani citizens to the Americans. Musharraf is similarly accused of cherry-picking when required to take action against the militant groups who have killed thousands of civilians and army men. Once the military is out of policy-making, the elected government will be held solely accountable for policy failures. As the military solely concentrates on its professional duties, its prestige will only enhance.

During the last many years the military has drawn flak on account of activities unrelated to its real task – which is the defence of the country’s geographical borders. The nation has generously provided for the needs of the armed forces by cutting down budget allocations for highly vital sectors like education, health and social development. There is therefore little justification for the military establishment to undertake commercial ventures. Unfortunately starting from a humble beginning made for the benefit of the retiring military personnel, these have continued to expand to several industrial units, a full-fledged banking chain, urban land development and farming, a subject on which a researcher has published an exhaustive study.

On Friday a Senate committee was assigned the task of probing the complaint that thousands of acres of land acquired by the armed forces in KP for setting up a firing range was later used for growing orchards. The Senate was told that even after three decades the owners of the land have not been paid compensation despite orders from the court. The committee is set to “examine the use of land for commercial projects by the defence ministry and to make appropriate recommendations”. For a number of years the issue of Renala Military Farms was the subject of public debate, and the Pakistani media widely reported the excesses committed on the tenants. The issue was later taken up by Human Rights Watch which compiled a 57-page report on the subject. Those concerned about the prestige of the armed forces would recommend that its high command review the issue of military’s commercial involvements.