Go by the book
The picture of the prime minister flanked by the COAS in Gwadar conveys the message that despite the ongoing tension between the government and the army differences are likely to be resolved soon. The remark by Nawaz Sharif that the two would work jointly to overcome the challenges being faced by the country was reassuring. That the ‘two sides are on the same page to steer the country out of the crisis’ is however more of a desirable goal than actual reality. Days before Khawaja Asif was treated as an uninvited guest at the Kakul passing out parade, he too had insisted that civil and military leaders were on the same page over all matters including internal security.
Differences between the civilian government and army are not unnatural at a time when the civilian authority is seeking to assert itself in areas of policy-making which have hitherto remained an exclusive domain of the army. Differences are normal provided they remain within manageable limits. To ensure this the government has to act patiently and strictly by the book. While the government reclaims its rightful turf it has to ensure that this is done without indulging in heroics. It has to rein in its overenthusiastic ministers who alternate between bangs and whimpers. It has to take army into confidence before taking decisions that affect the latter like the release of Taliban prisoners. The prime minster has to be seen as a neutral arbiter and should intervene well before things begin to spiral go out of control. That this has not happened has led to a perception of confrontation.
Coming as he does in a period of uncertainty and tensions the arrival of US special envoy James Dobbins is being interpreted by many as having something to do with the situation. As usual the government ministries are divided over the matter. While the foreign office has tried to link it with the situation in Afghanistan, dispelling the perception that the envoy had a special agenda, a statement issued by the interior ministry suggests that Dobbins had conveyed US support for the Sharif government. Dobbins reportedly told Ch Nisar that the US viewed the Sharif government as a reliable partner.
It is time measures are taken by the government to resolve tensions with the army without abandoning the principled position that civilian supremacy has to be established in policy-making. Enough problems have been created by resorting to military solutions of complex social and political issues that could have been handled better through peaceful talks involving give and take wherever necessary. For this the government has to act in a way that it is widely seen to be capable of handling national issue and resolving conflicts in accordance with the constitution.
