Changing narrative

The general who made the difference

While it is ungrudgingly conceded that a free media is a bulwark of all other liberties and plays the role of a catalyst in promoting and strengthening democracy – complimenting the contribution that democracy makes in ensuring freedom of expression – it is also readily affirmed that freedom comes with responsibility. What it implies is that the media while zealously safeguarding its freedom, needs to abide by the internationally recognised ethical and professional codes of conduct and the legal and constitutional parameters set by the state and the society. There is no concept of unbridled freedom of expression anywhere in the world. All the professional and ethical codes adopted by international media bodies invariably underscore the need for truthful reporting, avoiding rumour mongering, desisting from speculative stuff, shying away from propagating issues that undermine national unity and security, curbing the impulsive streak to blow issues out of proportion and creating issues out of non-issues.

Even while performing its internationally accepted role of agenda setting, the media is expected not to descend into an over-drive mode in an effort to outshine its competitors in the market of ideas. The emergence of a free media in Pakistan undoubtedly is the best thing that has happened in this country. The media has made a sterling contribution in strengthening democratic values and performed its role as a watch-dog against the government in an admirable manner.

However it has also exhibited unrestrained propensity to indulge in unnecessary speculative reporting and creating issues out of non-issues. The recent example is the hype created about the appointment of the new COAS and all kinds of rumours about another likely extension in his tenure or assigning of some other important responsibilities to him. The subject has been hitting the headlines of the newspapers besides being discussed in the talk shows of every electronic channel, giving the impression as if the appointment of the COAS was the number one issue facing the nation. The foreign media taking cue from the Pakistani media, also chipped in with similar stories.

Such was the ferocity of the crescendo in this regard that General Kayani himself had to take the initiative to put these speculations at rest by announcing his retirement on the date his extension in tenure ends, which otherwise is the prerogative of the government. In his statement in this regard issued through ISPR, General Kayani seems to suggest that he acted in this un-ceremonial manner to curb the rumours circulating in the media. The media did act in an irresponsible manner in this regard considering the fact that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had already removed the haze on the issue. He is on record to have said publicly that he hoped that General Kayani would not seek extension and that learning from history he would go by the principle of seniority. The new thinking on the part of the prime minister is a healthy departure from the previous practice of making the appointment on the basis of expected loyalty and the notion of ‘my man’ which has invariably proved counter-productive not only for the incumbent prime ministers but has also worked against the interests of the country.

In his statement, General Kayani has particularly stressed the point that institutions and traditions were stronger than individuals and must take precedence. He also unequivocally reiterated that army supported democracy, wanted to strengthen the democratic order and that it had made its contribution towards this desired end. It is hard to take an issue with what he said. It represents a sea change in the mind-set of the Khakis towards representative rule and institutions. He unlike his predecessors showed unswerving respect for the constitution and also inculcated the same spirit among his colleagues.

General Ayub abrogated the constitution promulgated by a representative constituent assembly. General Zia disfigured the constitution through arbitrary amendments courtesy doctrine of necessity propounded by the judiciary. I clearly remember that answering question of the journalists during his visit to Iran, General Zia said “what is constitution? It is a piece of paper and I can throw it just like that”. General Musharraf also followed the footsteps of the other military adventurers and the nation is still suffering from the impact of his indiscretions.

The credit for this transformation goes to General Kayani indeed who as army chief always acknowledged the ascendancy of the elected leadership and took a number of steps to disengage army personnel working on civilian slots. He is perceived as a man behind the reinstatement of the deposed judges. Though at times he went along the proponents of the traditional disdainful patronage of the civilian rulers among the military commanders on issues like the Kerry-Lugar Bill, Memogate and putting ISI under civilian control, causing embarrassment for the civilian government, but he resisted the temptation of destabilising democracy by direct intervention against the hopes, desires and urgings of the anti-democracy forces. He along with the PML-N and PPP shares the credit for transition of power through ballot for the first time in the history of Pakistan.

In the wake of the Salala and Abbottabad incidents, it was probably General Kayani who forced the government to resist American high-handedness and set into motion the process of regaining lost sovereignty by suspending NATO supplies until the US apologised. He is also the architect of the new approach of engagement with the US military. Under his stewardship, the army is fully behind the policy initiatives of the PML-N government in regards to dialogue with TTP to end terrorism, improvement of relations with India and most importantly the new narrative evolved by the elected government in regards to relations with Afghanistan which replaces the strategic depth syndrome with friendly relations with Afghanistan on the basis of sovereign equality and friendship and supports the process of reconciliation in that war ravaged country, without playing favourites. Kayani will always be remembered as a general who really made the difference.

Malik Muhammad Ashraf is an academic.