- And civil-military relations
Pakistan is required today to take crucial decisions some of which are bound to affect its future. It is under pressure from the US over its Afghan policy. Failing to control the unrest in Kashmir, India has increased pressure on LoC. While implementing CPEC which has a crucial importance for Pakistan’s economy, Islamabad has to ensure that the interests of local communities and entrepreneurs are safeguarded. It has also to develop a dispute resolution mechanism to ensure that its problems with Chinese counterparts are settled amicably. For this the government and the army have to be on the same page.
Abbasi has to perform a Houdini act at a time when PML-N chief has taken a confrontational stance against both the SC and the army. The parliamentary coup in Balochistan that took toll of PML-N’s provincial government and upset its Senate election calculations has further added to the animus. While talking to Bloomberg, Abbasi recognised that there has been friction with the army for about a year but insisted that this has been overcome as a result of frank discussion. He concedes however that it is an evolving situation.
The army has to realise that irrespective of whichever party is in power an element of tension is bound to continue in civil military relations in a situation where elected leaders have reasons to believe that the army has gradually taken over a major portion their turf. What is required is to keep the friction within manageable limits and make plans to gradually hand over to the civilian government what belongs to it under the constitution.
Pakistan can take a firm stand on matters of security and regional policy only if there is an understanding between the army and the civilian government. The national security committee has emerged as a forum where the two sides can exchange views, reconcile differences and reach consensus on matters like response to Trump’s whims, Indian intransigence, relations with Afghanistan, dealing with militant networks as well as problems that arise during the implementation of CPEC. The forum should provide an occasion to both sides to understand each other’s point of view and develop a consensus.
Discussing differences between that one of the most weak, nonperforming and incompetent civilian government and the Establishment (read army) at International forum is like washing their dirty linen in public and at that forum. Should and can the outsiders solve our internal problems ? Is it not like making the country a laughing stock ?
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