Govt striving to regain army’s trust

• According to army’s internal assessment, troops’ support for Musharraf increased after ‘adventurism’ by some federal ministers
• Statements by railways and defence ministers on Mir’s case obstructed govt’s effort to shift focus from govt-military tiff to media-military conflict

Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif have twice launched damage control efforts to normalise relations between the civilian and military leaderships, however some senior Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leaders believe that things may go out of control if “adventurism” by some ministers continued unabated, Pakistan Today has learnt.

Background interactions with some PML-N insiders have revealed that statements by some federal ministers pertaining to the premier’s visit to injured journalist Hamid Mir – suggesting government’s support for the journalist – had hampered the government’s move to shift focus from government-military tiff to media-military conflict.

“This is the reason why Chaudhry Nisar had to clarify the government’s position saying, ‘by sending Defence Ministry’s complaint to Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has clearly reflected with whom the government stands today’,” sources said.

The sources alleged that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had been isolated by some of his close aides who are “hawkish in nature”. Their harsh statements could prove detrimental to the democratic process in the country, sources added.

“These are the ministers who were tortured soon after the military takeover of General Musharraf, so they are on a mission to avenge their torture,” the sources said.

Some senior N-leaguers told Pakistan Today that three days after fiery statements by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Railways Minister Saad Rafique on the trial of former army chief Gen (r) Pervez Musharraf, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif went to the premier and shared with him concerns about rising tensions within army ranks over Musharraf’s trial.

Sources said that General Sharif told the prime minister that as per the data collected through army’s internal assessment reports, there was only 40 per cent support among army ranks for Musharraf before speeches made by Asif and Rafique while 60 per cent officers were least bothered about Musharraf’s trial.

“However, the army chief said that after three days of these speeches and media hype created, an overwhelming majority in the army supported Musharraf. He also told the PM that the army had wholeheartedly supported the Taliban dialogue process, irrespective of the fact that its leadership was ‘not consulted’ and was ‘only informed’ by the government.”

The sources said that General Sharif further said that the army was again not consulted on the release of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) prisoners and was only informed about the government’s decision.

“General Sharif told the premier that the military was disappointed over being ignored and criticised by the ministers time and again. Despite these bitter facts, General Sharif played a pivotal role for success in TTP talks. He said that despite all facts, the army was observing restraint,” sources added.

“Following this meeting, Shahbaz Sharif launched efforts for rapprochement between military and the government. He along with Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar mediated between both sides for normalisation of relations. Later, it was mutually decided to use the Kakul Parade ceremony for a new beginning,” the sources added.

Sources said that Shahbaz also requested Nawaz to read a speech being prepared by his team at the parade which will help normalise relations. However, sources said that the prime minister did not agree to the transcript sent by Shahbaz and rather asked Irfan Siddiqui to prepare a new draft for his speech. He also asked Siddiqui to include names of martyrs who had received Nishan-e-Haider, sources added.

Interestingly as has become the norm, sources said that Nawaz was escorted by his own guards when he moved to meet young cadets, which was against Kakul parade traditions. This reflected the mistrust between both sides.

Later, the sources said that the same evening, when Hamid Mir was attacked, the government planned to give the incident an angle which could help shift media focus from the military-government tussle by keeping mum over the allegations against the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general (DG).

“The premier especially visited Karachi to enquire after the health of Mir. Therefore, the army chief had to visit the ISI Headquarters next day to send a message to the civilian leadership that the ISI was a face of the armed forces,” sources said.