The general has done what the government should have
During the last fortnight speculation was rife in the media on Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, and some citing unnamed sources claimed that he was being appointed Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) with enhanced powers, while others pondered over his being made Pakistan’s point-man in Washington. The protagonists of further extension argued that Gen Kayani had the experience of dealing with the Afghan government and the Taliban – making him indispensable at this ‘crucial juncture’. The counter narrative maintained, further extension to the general would be detrimental to the system and likely hurt the army as an institution by causing heartburn to its top leadership. And on the general enjoying the blessings of Washington, the opinion was split too: some considered it a plus while others painted it as a liability. With the government dragging its feet, the COAS must have felt embarrassed at such conjecture in public domain. So, he chose to kill it all by himself.
Gen Kayani has loyal supporters and vociferous detractors. The former cite his statements rooting for democracy, and denying army a role in politics. His move to recall the in-service army personnel working on civilian positions is mentioned as a sign of his being pro-democracy. Last year at the Kakul ‘Azadi Parade’, he took a clear stand on terrorism: “the fight against extremism and terrorism is our own war”. Subsequently though he distanced himself from it in the Green Book with regard to the primary threat being now from the militants rather than India as a personal opinion. He supported on-time elections despite threats from the militants.
Gen Kayani has however been criticised by others for not walking the talk. Despite his avowed penchant for democracy, there were occasions during the PPP tenure when tension with the brass created serious apprehensions about the prospects of democracy. The US commando attack in Abbottabad exacerbated the civil-military deadlock. The PM was made to reverse his position on the incident. Then the ISI chief accused Ambassador Hussain Haqqani, and by implication the government, of issuing visas indiscriminately to allow numerous CIA operatives to enter the country. PM Gilani’s retort: “whether Osama bin Laden too had been given a visa by the government” elicited unusually strong reaction. During the Memogate affair, an interview by Gilani to a Chinese daily led to a grim warning by the ISPR, saying, “It may have very serious ramifications with potentially grievous consequences for the country.” Kayani’s critics also maintain that relations with India and Afghanistan remained as problematic as they were when he had assumed office. They also maintain that despite his tirades against militancy, no operation was carried out in North Waziristan. But one has to grant: under his tenure Swat was reclaimed from the Taliban’s clutches as were the six other tribal agencies. And while the action was going on, the issue of IDPs was handled as well as one could imagine. But then on the insurgency in Balochistan, he had the opportunity to make a clean break from Gen Musharraf’s coercive methods. Yet he stayed the PPP government’s hand at providing the healing touch. As a consequence, Balochistan continues to burn.
With Kayani’s departure assured in end-November, naming his successor early is essential. It should not be delayed, as was the case with the appointment of new CJCSC, which couldn’t be finalized even on the last day of Gen Wyne’s tenure. What is more, there is a reluctance to take ownership. Important issues that need urgent resolution continue to ‘hang fire’. Almost a month after the APC on national security there is no movement on the issue of militancy. Flip flopping continues, with an insistence on unconditional talks when in Pakistan, doubts about the future of talks at Heathrow and “they will have to renounce terrorism” in the interview to Wall Street Journal in New York. There is too much caution standing in the way when what is required is out of box solutions and courageous decisions.
