Rifts within: PML-N split over military courts, leaks probe

Some party members believe delay in addressing issues may affect civil-military ties.

ISLAMABAD: The issues of extension of military courts and probe into a ‘planted’ news story have widened the internal rift within the ruling party with a powerful faction believing that the government’s apparent policy of dillydallying on the issues may deteriorate its ties with the military establishment.

The military courts – established for two years to try hardcore terrorists in the wake of the Dec 2014 massacre of schoolchildren in Peshawar – were suspended on Jan 7. The government has had multiple sessions with opposition parties on the topic but the issue is still pending.

The probe into the daily Dawn’s October 6 controversial story about a security meeting has also not concluded. The story that was strongly condemned by the army and rejected by government claimed the government had warned the military against supporting certain militant groups.



Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Jan 12 vowed to uphold ‘dignity and credibility’ of Pakistan Army reportedly in response to a question asked in the backdrop of Punjab law minister’s statement against military courts and delay in probe into the ‘fabricated’ story.

Reportedly, the security brass has been demanding both to extend tenure of the military courts and to take the ‘planted’ story saga to the logical conclusion by sharing findings of the related probe, fixing responsibility and taking concrete action against the elements behind it.

Despite these demands, sources said, a group in the ruling PML-N supports delaying the issues. However, some other senior party leaders believe that the government apparent strategy to use delaying tactics on both the issues may result in a strong backlash.

“We are playing games and that’s bound to have repercussions. We are playing with fire,” said a source who tried to sum up the view of the pro-establishment politicians.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who is believed to be on cordial terms with the security establishment, wants a fair probe into the planted story issue and a political consensus on military courts, said another source in the party. “But his hands are tied—there’s nothing much he can do.”

He said the final decision on both the issues rests with the prime minister. “He (Nisar) wants that responsibility be fixed in the story leaks probe and the elements behind it be taken to task whether they are the PM House officials, senior party members or other government functionaries,” he added.

Reportedly, Nisar is not alone who holds these views and his stance is seconded by other pro-establishment leaders. These include Lieutenant General (retd) Abdul Qadir Baloch, the PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.



Interestingly, Dar and Nisar usually do not get along very well but they usually share a similar viewpoint on the issues concerning the security brass, the source said. “However, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has given little heed to these calls as some of his close aides believe otherwise,” he added.

This party circle also believes that the leadership has already ‘accommodated’ security establishment by elevating Muhammad Zubair as Sindh’s governor. Zubair is the son of Major General (retd) Ghulam Umar and reportedly enjoys good terms with security brass. The PM’s Adviser Ameer Muqam, however, said the party was not facing any internal division on the two issues. He said the government had indicated its clear intention to extend military courts tenure with political parties’ consensus.

However, political analyst Kanwar Dilshad said there is a growing resentment among the security establishment and opposition parties over the government’s vague policy towards both the issues. “The government needs to sense the gravity of the situation. A stitch in time saves nine,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 2^nd, 2017.