Army not meddling in govt affairs, says Asif

Insists civilian govt is not competing with others for power

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif mounted a stout defence of the country’s military leadership on Thursday, dismissing the notion held in certain political circles that the civilian government’s affairs are subject to meddling.

“Critics who accuse the military of interfering in the civilian government’s affairs should observe the present situation against the backdrop of the country’s history,” Khawaja Asif told the BBC Urdu in an interview. The minister insisted that though he was, and still is, strongly opposed to military-style governance he is “satisfied with how things are at present”.



“And if my conscience makes me uncomfortable about any possible interference by the military in the affairs of the civilian government at any point in time, I shall raise my voice against it.”

Acknowledging that the country has been under direct military rule for four decades, Asif counted himself as “a witness” to the military’s indirect influence on civilian governments.

“We should understand the fact that Pakistan is going through a period of transition and we shall succeed in attaining our target in the next three to four years. As a civilian or a politician during this evolutionary period, I should not rush to get every bit of authority.”

He brushed aside the idea that the civilian government is competing (with any another institution of the country) for power. “We complement each other as institutions. After having witnessed four military governments, I believe that the rumours and whispers (of meddling) will end with one more general elections and a peaceful transfer of power.”





Citing the example of Turkey, he said the country had witnessed a tug-of-war for power between the military and the civilian government, but after years-long efforts and patience democracy has taken strong root in the country.

When it was pointed out that this implied he has no objection to criticism by the army of the civilian administration’s style of governance, the minister said the judiciary and the media also indulged in this kind of criticism. “We can say that the job of the judiciary is to interpret the law and not criticise the style of governance. Then why do we always raise these objections only against the army?”

Asif underscored the need to understand that the nation collectively needs to achieve a number of goals to overcome the challenges faced by the country. Restoration of peace, revival of the economy and governance are the major challenges that need to be overcome as a nation, he said.



“It’s not important whether the person striving for achieving the national objectives wears a suit or shalwar-kameez or a uniform.”

He said that everyone who is making efforts for achieving these goals – be it the military, parliament, judiciary or politicians – are carrying out their duties.

“We should not draw comparisons about whose contribution is better. The only thing that matters is that they are all working together for the country.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 18^th, 2015.