Fire brigade or the triple-one!

Do share who the wise one was : One day, one of them not only wise but apolitical to the core, looked rather worried. Quite convenient that someone said something that fits nicely into your autobiographical analysis of the current reality that we live in. Who are these “some of us from the pre-Musharaf era”, you are making it sound as if you are offering insight into a fraternity. If you are going to write in public then please be open, this talk show analysis of hinting at something but then withholding details is ridiculous. And please stop acting as if the military is beyond or above the government, the government constitutionally and principally is an extension of and part of the government. Stop making it sound that every time the military does something for the benefit of the same citizens who foot the bill for the salaries and privileges of serviceman, they are being done a favour.Recommend

Both Mao’s China and Ata Turk’s Turkey have been transforming themselves to the new realities of democracy flourishing around. Have you heard of Winston Churchill? Do you know what he said about democracy?
You wrote: “Pakistan however is a unique place, where for all the right or wrong reasons – historical, strategic, societal, or geopolitical – the army, even when confined to barracks, remains the ultimate arbiter in politics”. That is true but the reasons you subsequently wrote belies your understanding of history. The military is called upon to broker power because the military meddles in the electoral affairs. The military rigs the elections to bring politicians of its choice and then expect from them to run the country – according to the military’s choice. In that situation, no politician who is ruling the rostrum gets ready to own the system and they start looking towards the military to seek support. By so doing politicians secure their next electoral win. What do you think what those guy named Ijaz ul Haq and Haroon Akhtar are doing around? Tell me what is Dollarization of politicians?

By hurling curse on the Musharraf era discreetly, you cannot win the popular vote for your article. Was the IJI a natural democratic product? Only when the true representative comes to the Parliament, the political system will be owned. Have you heard how Altaf Hussain is being condemned for uttering the statement you referred to, despite the fact that his party, the MQM, is sharing power in Sindh? Did anyone condemn any such politician uttering such words before when you used to command a brigade? The answer is no. Altaf is criticized because now the political system is being owned both by politicians and people alike. The reason of which is in 2008 the army had to stay neutral – to attenuate the anti-Musharraf wrath.

I think you have insulted democracy and democracy-loving people of Pakistan by writing: ‘An uninterrupted democratic process will in due course cleanse itself, is a myth’. Why don’t you believe in democracy? When has the military allowed the democratic process to get completed to conclude what you called a myth? Have you ever heard Sheikh Rashid what he says? Do you know how much faith Sheih Rashid used to have in the abilities of Corps Commander, Rawalpindi, to make Sheikh’s win possible? I assure you that the uninterrupted democratic process can cleanse itself in due course if the elections are not military-sponsored. Consider, the first casualty of the representative democracy is Sheikh Rashid. Don’t forget to console him.

Now the parting shot: were the military not made possible the win of Imran Khan in the general elections of 2002, he would not have backed the selected part of Altaf’s statement regarding ‘patriot generals’ and ‘corrupt politicians’. Do you agree?Recommend

“This guy (Lt-Gen (retd) Asad Durrani) should be behind the bars but he has become an analyst,” this is what a senior journalist had said on a channel…Recommend

I don’t know why Tribune publishes such ridiculous views. Calling the “uninterrupted democratic process” a myth, the retired general supports martial law…may be the old vulture will get a new job when the army chief conquers Islamabad. How selfish and idiotic….first “invisible soldiers of Islam” and now this….If this is the mental level of ISI chiefs, then its no wonder that our country is flooded with terrorism.Recommend

You are correct when you say that Pakistan is a unique place. The armed forces have built a unique position for themselves in this place but it has not played a responsible role over the years befitting that unique position.
If the credibility of our so called elected leaders is next to zero and of the armed forces is not much better especially after Musharraf’s eight years when he had a chance to do good and squandered it.
This time around individually neither the fire brigade nor triple one will work.
A unique solution will have to be cobbled together which would have to simple, strict and
no nonsense efficient, if we are to progress.Recommend

I totally agree with MR. Durani. The politician just forward one argument that let the democracy flourish or the military does not give enough time. These arguments hold some ground but what you as political representatives are doing to make the democracy flourish and mature. Can anyone point out a single policy of the government both provincial as well federal which give a blue print on the basic necessities like health, education etc. What they all are doing is just minting money. I was attaching a lot of expectations from Nawaz Sharif. But even his government in Punjab ditched us by not imposing agricultural tax as it is a provincial subject. I have a brother in Pak Army which makes our whole family proud of it. We always ask him to a good professional soldier at any cost. But can he become professional soldier when (God Forbid) this country disappears from the surface of the earth due these corrupt and inefficient politicians.Army will be there if Pakistan exists. The very presence of present lot of politicians is an existential threat to this country. I agree with Altaf Hussain when he says that the Army should come forward to change the rotten system of this country. A few steps may be taken in the regard are to establish an independent election commission, land reforms including the huge land farms owned by retired army generals, a uniform educational system for all rich and power, state control over mosques and madrassas. this may be done by establishing a facade of upright pakistanis like Edhi, Fakhruddin G Ibrahim, Nasir Aslam Zahid and many like them.Recommend

Good come back by Asad Durrani sb after the ISI article. I wonder where people get guts from saying let the system continue for 3-4 terms. The performance of this democratic government in 2.5 years makes me wonder if the country would survive for 15-20 years to fully embrace democracy. Turkey is finally experiencing democracy because Urdugan’s government has delivered. People are prosporus then they were during the times of true secular/military back governments. The day democracy brings prosperity, 111 will not dare entering the corridors of power!Recommend

Nadir El-Edroos, you live and work in London, what taxpayers money do YOU keep harping about all the time? Leave the “taxpayers” issues to us, who pay taxes in THIS country!Recommend

@Saad So you think Ghulam Ishaq khan and Musharraf were politicians? Ghulam Ishaq was chairman senate during Zia era and Musharraf was army chief !Recommend

@Saad Duraiz:

If we don’t pay taxes then who finances the military war games? How do generals afford such lavish living? Is it America or IMF? By the way who repays the loans from IMF? I don’t know what is so admirable about political role of army.Recommend

@Qazi:

Qazi sahib, you’re missing the point. Yes it is OUR taxes paying for the military. OUR does not include people living and paying taxes in other countries.Recommend

The present equation is a bit disturbing. In principle, I would agree with what Mr. Durrani has written. If things go out of control, we have no option but to dial in to the 111 brigade. However, in the present equation, the balancing power on one side is PPP. On the other side, its Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.

Firstly, let us not forget that Gen Kayani was the Deputy Military Secretary to Benazir Bhutto during her last tenure as Prime Minister, which shows that to some extent, Gen Kayani is pro-PPP.

Secondly, Gen Kayani also has the credit of being the DG ISI before becoming COAS under his belt. Now wasn’t it Gen Kayani who backed up the CJ to file a reference against the then President Mush? Was the CJ alone strong enough to have taken, let alone sustain such stern action against Musharraf? No, there was a hidden force supporting the CJ in his actions.

Thirdly, Gen Kayani has clear objectives. By letting PPP stay in the ruling, he is re-building the image of the Pak Army for future, much worse times to come. He’s got an extension for 3 years, he’s better off as COAS than becoming a Martial Law Administrator or Chief Executive or the President. Being the COAS of the Pakistan Army is by the way, much more blissful and respectful than being the President of Pakistan. He has learned from his predecessors that Gen Ayub became “Kutta” on the streets, by the politics of Z A Bhutto. Musharraf lost everything by imposing himself unnecessarily for longer than needed. He won’t make the same mistake. The deal is clear, PPP stays in ruling, they let the Military dictate the foreign as well as internal security policies, and the Army doesn’t take over the so called “democratic” Govt. I don’t see why the Army would want to take up an extra headache while its already stretched on the Western border, and more than 50,000 troops are involved in rescue/relief efforts. The Pak Army’s got better things to do. Gen Kayani is a smart man, he knows Pakistan would accept his leadership with open arms after what the present Govt. has done to the people, yet he won’t take over until the ruling Party itself resigns, which won’t happen till this country has any wealth left. Altaf Hussain’s suggestions have neither made an influence in Pakistan in the past, nor will they effect the way things in Pakistan have to unfold in the near future. Altaf Hussain should let people assume he is a fool, instead of talking and confirming the notion.Recommend