But does it really end here?
The unexpected and curt rejection of the notification from the PM’s office by the military spokesman had shaken the PML-N leadership. Attempts were made to find a mutually acceptable way out of the situation. Ch Nisar reprimanded both the military spokesman and PM’s office and maintained that Interior Ministry alone was authorised to issue a notification in the case, promising to do so soon. There were reports meanwhile that a three member firefighting team has been assigned the task of meeting the army leadership for an amicable resolution of the impasse. When nothing seemed to work, Nawaz Sharif himself had a meeting with the COAS at PM’s residence. Apparently this too failed to lead to a settlement. This reportedly led Nawaz Sharif to assert the civilian leadership’s authority. In a meeting of senior political advisors it was avowedly decided that whatever action had been taken on the Dawn leaks issue was enough and there was no need for a new notification. Ch Nisar was supposed to deliver the message in a media conference.
The crisis burst on the center stage when Pakistan needed understanding between the military and political leadership. Despite a fresh initiative by the government to improve relations with Afghanistan an unfortunate military encounter on Chaman border undermined some of the good will. Iran – which had acted as a dependable neighbour during Pakistan’s wars with India – has threatened action against terrorists who killed its soldiers near the border with Pakistan. Meanwhile messages from the American side indicated concerns about terrorists continuing to operate from Pakistan’s side. What is more the PM needed total support from the army during the OBOR summit, Riyadh encounter with President Trump and at the forthcoming SCO summit. Any division at this time could hurt Pakistan’s interests
The army has done well to withdraw its controversial tweet. The statement by the military spokesman accepting the PMs authority removed the necessity for Ch Nisar’s media conference which was replaced with the promised notification What is needed is for all sides to act with maturity allowing the fragile system to gain strength.