High morality is the first ingredient for officers and then he can proudly say, ‘follow me’.
ISLAMABAD: This is apropos the article “Good General; Bad General” by Saroop Ijaz (July 6). The writer has raised a pertinent issue. There are compelling reasons to determine why all serving chiefs are great and the nation’s saviours during their service? And why they draw so much criticism after retirement? Why don’t ex-advisers or principal staff officers not step forward to support him or share the blame?
To understand this, we need to know of the decision-making process in the army, the power-sharing that goes on in the ranks and, above all, the limits of civilian control over the army. The army chief is an absolute authority for the army and there is no alternative forum to redress the grievances of his subordinates; the chief is the last word on promotions and postings. In addition, he controls all post-retirement financial benefits and employments. Who will dare to say something that displeases him? This breeds a culture of sycophancy, incompetence and breach of merit.
Musharraf, in his heyday, was known in the army as the most bold, a great statesman and a great leader of the country. Where are those who, by praising Musharraf so, accrued so many benefits? I have not heard anybody coming forward to share the blame for what went wrong during his era. Because it was not a true relationship but based on mutual benefit. Kargil was a big blunder, but did anyone else step forward to share blame. Is that possible in any democratic country?
The next issue is that of civilian control over the military. There is absolutely no control. The ministry of defence is just a façade. That is why all issues at the end are referred to the army chief. The present debate over General Kayani not initiating an operation in North Waziristan validates my observation. Had the prime minister been fully incorporated in the decision-making process, Kayani would have some moral support from him. Interestingly, no one from among General Kayani’s former staff has negated former ISPR chief General Athar Abbas’s comments.
A person who can remain silent about his real views will seldom lead the troops well. High morality is the first ingredient for officers and then he can proudly say, ‘follow me’. Men and officers will die happily and will always say, ‘hail the chief’.
Brig Asif Alvi
Published in The Express Tribune, July 8th, 2014.
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