Civil-military harmony imperative for state to function effectively: Mazari

Former PTI minister says it's prerogative of prime minister to make appointments of top military leaders of his choice

Former human rights minister and PTI leader Shireen Mazari has said that civilian supremacy is a norm in democracy but cordial ties between civil-military leadership are imperative for the state to function effectively.

“A lot of confusion is unnecessarily being created over civil-military relations. Let's get some facts clear. In a democracy civilian supremacy is the norm but for the state to function effectively there must be civil - mly harmony,” she said in a series of tweets.

A lot of confusion is unnecessarily being created over civil-mly relations. Let's get some facts clear. In a democracy civilian supremacy is the norm but for the state to function effectively there must be civil - mly harmony.

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) April 18, 2022

Apparently referring to ousted prime minister Imran Khan’s decisions, Mazari said that it was the premier’s prerogative to nominate a candidate for the post of the chief minister and make appointments to the top military leadership of his own choice.

“So let's be clear. There is no arrogance in a PM appointing CMs of his choice - in fact it is his prerogative. Just as it his prerogative to advise President on selection of the 3 service chiefs. PM's prerogative to select DGI[SI]. Advice on military appointments always rightly sought from military,” she added.

So let's be clear. There is no arrogance in a PM appointing CMs of his choice - in fact it is his prerogative. Just as it his prerogative to advise President on selection of the 3 service chiefs. PM's prerogative to select DGI. Advice on mly appts always rightly sought from mly.

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) April 18, 2022

The PTI leader referred Articles 243 and 245 of the Constitution saying that armed forces constitutional role is clearly defined “so if military assists civilian leadership in performing its tasks then it helps foster harmonious civil-military relations”.

Under Articles 243 & 245 our armed forces constitutional role is clearly defined so if mly assists civilian leadership in performing its tasks then it helps foster harmonious civil-mly relations. Help in getting thru imp legislation fosters strengthening civil-mly ties. pic.twitter.com/VK0fgQaAqG

— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) April 18, 2022

Last week, former interior minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the “misunderstanding” between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the military establishment must be cleared up.

His statement came a day after the country's top military brass took notice of the recent propaganda campaign by some quarters to malign the Pakistan Army and create a division between the institution and society.

"National security of Pakistan is sacrosanct. The Pakistan Army has always stood with the state institutions to guard it and always will, without any compromise," the ISPR statement said.

It is pertinent to note here that certain social media accounts generated trends vilifying state institutions, including the military, following the ouster of Imran Khan through a no-confidence motion earlier this month.

Rashid, while responding to a question in Peshawar, said: “No slogan should be raised against the army.”