More than meets the eye
The ISPR statement is rife with serious implications. On the face of it, it is all about the implementation of National Action Plan (NAP) with the army claiming to be more efficient and seeking a similar performance from the government. But there is more to it than meets the eye. If the idea had been only to improve the existing state of affairs, the discussion at the Monday meeting between top civilian and military leadership would have been enough. As the civilian set up works differently from the army, the government would have resolved the concerns a little later than desired.
One wonders why it was necessary to make the differences public. Political parties undertake the exposure of the government because it helps them to remove the administration through public support. The army on the other hand is a department of the government and a disciplined force whose sole function is the defence of the geographical borders of the country and to assist the government whenever it is called upon to do so. It is supposed to be subservient to the elected political authority under whose guidance it works. It can convey its reservations directly but is not supposed to go public over differences with the government. It is not supposed to direct the government or to assume a supervisory role.
In view of the past history of Pakistan, the first domestic impact of the ISPR statement would be a widespread uncertainty about the future of the system. It would give birth to conjectures about the stability of the government. Nothing can harm the national economy more than an environment characterised by political uncertainty.
One wonders why it was necessary to make the differences public. Political parties undertake the exposure of the government because it helps them to remove the administration through public support
The negative message that the statement has sent abroad would cause additional problems. At a time when the COAS is to visit the US, a perception of the civil-military rift will not be helpful. It will also provide an excuse to India, Afghanistan and the Baloch rebel leaders to decline to hold talks with the government which they will maintain has no power.
The completion of the first ever complete tenure of an elected government followed by an orderly transfer of power to the next elected set-up had raised hopes of Pakistan emerging as a stable country with accountable institutions working transparently. The ISPR statement would give birth to fresh doubts. The perception would not help Pakistan procure the civil nuclear technology. It would also be used by Pakistan’s rivals to raise concerns about the country’s nuclear assets.
The government’s working is no doubt characterised by lack of efficiency and good governance. This is because of repeated interventions in the political system by none other than the army itself. This has on the one hand caused the stunting of the growth of civilian institutions and on the other harmed the army itself by taking its attention away from its own core concerns. A continuation of interference in the civilian set up would further enervate the system.
The best forums to improve the working of the government are parliament, judiciary, media and civil society. During the first half of the PML-N government they have put the administration on the mat for bad governance, maladministration and corruption. They have also tried to strengthen the institutions. What is more they have supported measures demanded by the army for the eradication of terrorism putting aside their otherwise strong reservations.
For the first time an election commission has been set up through a constitutional provision that ensures its independence and authority. More reforms in the electoral system are on the anvil. Parliamentary committees representing all political shades are learning to help make better policies. Regulatory bodies that include NEPRA, OGRA, PEMRA and PTA too are trying to find their bearings. These institutions can flourish only under a democracy.
It goes against Nawaz Sharif that he has yielded his turf to other institutions by sheer lack of foresight and initiative. Again, absence of timely action on the part of the prime minister has created vacuums that could not have been left unfilled. Nawaz Sharif has also weakened the system by not giving parliament the importance that it deserves. One can go on adding to his manifold failures.
The failures however are not the hall mark of the civil administration alone. Inefficiencies and violations of discipline have also crept into the army due to its indulgence in politics in the past. Reports of corruption and misuse of authority have not been uncommon. Evidence has surfaced regarding certain officers and men imbibing extremist thinking or actively working for the terrorist networks. Insiders were also found involved in attacks on military installations. Steps have of course been taken to remove the shortcomings. It would however be premature to maintain that complete success has been achieved.
Now a word for anyone who wants an abrupt and unconstitutional change.
The government’s working is no doubt characterised by lack of efficiency and good governance. This is because of repeated interventions in the political system by none other than the army itself
It takes years to build the credibility of an institution while a single wrong step can damage its reputation. The army had lost much of its lustre under Pervez Musharraf when he acted simultaneously as the COAS and the president of the country. The military was widely criticised for the actions of its leader. The criticism gave birth to provocative slogans during the protest marches against the dismissal of Supreme Court judges. At one point army men were advised not to go out in public wearing uniform.
Under Musharraf the army had to pay in terms of weakening discipline and declining efficiency which are the usual concomitants of a military rule. The country which had lost Siachin under Gen Zia, East Pakistan under Gen Yahya had to bear the ignominy of a whole army unit surrendering to the Pakistani Taliban under Gen Musharraf.
The army under Gen Raheel Sharif has regained the nation’s confidence on account of its gallantry and sacrifices. These have restored its image as a highly professional national army performing its duties well while remaining above political strife. The COAS enjoys unprecedented respect.
Make a wrong move and the edifice will not take long to come crashing down. The slogans like “Go Nawaz, Go” will be replaced by an altogether different kind of catchphrases. The target of public criticism will change. Let the army remain above politics and Gen Sharif retire as a national hero. Please don’t make the army or its leader controversial.
