Blowing bugles
While some parties in Karachi have been openly calling for army deployment in the city, this is a dangerous precedent given our past history where, once in charge, the men in khaki have not relinquished power for years. Consider the statement issued by the ISPR after a meeting of corps commanders presided over by COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in Rawalpindi on August 8. The short but significant statement expresses concern over the law and order situation in Karachi and its impact on the national economy. It also hopes measures recently taken by the government can help bring things under control. We all share this concern for peace in Karachi. No doubt the statement must have been made with good intentions but the issue is of propriety and of the institution abiding by the mandate given to it by the Constitution. Indeed, the statement can add to complications and keeps alive the spectre of the shadow of men in uniform hovering over the country and its affairs. This shadow has to be removed if there is to be progress towards real democracy. Of course, this also means that the politicians and elected civilians need to get their collective act together and provide the governance for which citizens elected them to public office.
To his credit, General Kayani does appear to have worked towards ensuring that the military stays out of politics. It is important that this continues and political parties be allowed to work in their realm. There is evidence that the government is working towards solutions. It must be permitted to do so without the threat of external intervention. The bugles need to be put away.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 10th, 2011.
COMMENTS (7)
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I think, we need to pray for a properous and secure Pakistan rather than imdulging ourselves in the debate of democracy and dictatorship. Our government is in power for quite a considerable time and is about to complete its term. By now, it should have been able to evolve a policy to overcome the Karachi situation. the concern shown by the military is absolutely fine and need to be seen in a realistic and patriotic way.
What have Landlords been doing with financial Free ride. Luxuries like Black Cold Mercedes. The Armed Forces should be worried on Karachi situation, the Golden Goose that drives Islamabad. Is it worries on economic front?
I support democracy, but you are basically expressing resentment at the fact that Kayani expressed concern over the situation in Karachi. You don't seem to mind that your civilian government which you say should be paramount has done absolutely nothing to help the situation in Karachi, but for you alarm bells are ringing because the Army Chief expressed concern at hundreds having died at the hands of this mindless violence.
Kayani is a professional; He knows Pakistan's long term strength depends on building stable governance based on democracy. In this he is the most patriotic general because he is following the wishes of the Quaid who was a constitutional lawyer. Look at how the Pakistani military has regained professionalism after the trouble it inherited as a dictatorship.
why the hell is this "democracy" so sacred? what has it given us till now? situation has only gone worse in these hardly-spent 3 years of democratic government! how can you expect to have democracy in a country where more than 60% of population is forced to vote in favor of their respective chaudharies & waderas?
im sick of democracy.. well said ali.. these ppl dont have the political will to run democracy.. therefore we should never expect it to work from them.. there is a dire need of army employment