There is no doubt about the fact that the current government is incompetent.
ISLAMABAD: There is no doubt about the fact that the current government is incompetent. However, there should also be no doubt about the fact that it has the right to complete its term and the prime minister has the constitutional right to sack a federal secretary. In fact, the Constitution also gives the chief executive of the country, who is the prime minister, the authority to appoint or dismiss services chiefs.
Like every civilised nation, we should also try to limit the role of the military in politics and those who have doubts about this should recount what happened to Pakistan during the 35-odd years that the military has been in power. The government should be allowed to complete its term and elections should be held. And when they are, Pakistanis can try and elect more competent leaders to govern their country. This is the only way.
As for the military, it should keep itself away from politics. We should build strong democratic values. That will only happen if the civilian government emerges unscathed out of the current crisis. Of course, this does not at all mean that the latter forgets its constitutional obligations. These would include respecting any and all directives issued to it by the Supreme Court.
May Allah protect our country and give its people wisdom to select the right people to lead them.
Hamid Umair
Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2012.
