Polarised, poisoned and problematic

It is very disheartening to see the national discourse… for it is one-sided, lacks objectivity, deals with frivolous non-issues, and is dominated by a narrative sponsored by our very own political forces; and reinforced by all those happy to see a weaker Pakistan. In this destructive exercise, self-interest is cloaked as political interest, and both the government and the opposition have absolutely no regard to where Pakistan is headed.

In one’s reckoning, the actual battle is for the civilian supremacy of the Armed Forces, and all political forces are absolutely happy to see the Armed Forces — especially the Army, particularly its senior leadership — drawn in and rubbed in for whatever reasons. If a stray Margalla tiger wanders off in DHA Rawalpindi, it is quickly dubbed as the pet of ‘a general officer’...a royal hobby. And in this age of social media, any worthless individual, bored with his life and situation, can easily post a message maligning this or that officer or institution for reasons about which he or she would have absolutely no back-up data except accusations and hearsay. Sad that we are all sleepwalking into a self-made disaster and conspiracy, by our multiple nemesis. And very unfortunately some veterans are also complicit in this game.

First, civilian supremacy of the Military. It would remain a pipe dream ‘without deliverance’ by any government like it has been so far and would remain so. This battle would be won across Pakistan once the government of the day cleans up our dirty streets and provides basic necessities to the citizenry. And that is next to impossible in a political culture that is profit and privilege driven. In an environment of below average capability and capacity, demonstrated repeatedly by those elected by the people, Army is an easy punching bag in a culture of evading responsibility. And Army generally does not have the benefit of container politics, and a cadre for whom idol-worship is the raison-de-etre.

Second, veterans on jihad. Having played our innings including training the present lot of Army leadership and being responsible for it, some among the veterans stoop too low in their commentary using their new-found voices, which were never heard when they were in service, amassing benefits of exalted ranks and appointments. Suddenly, this cadre feels that the mother-institution is full of Janus-faced leaders with no love-lost for Pakistan and its interests; who are ready to compromise on sensitive issues with this or that country; and who are totally oblivious to the public pulse. How many of us shared with veterans most of that we knew, when in uniform?

Third, our politicians. Leaders that appear very principled, very straight and very patriotic, die for Army’s sponsorship including the demigods of today, in our patronage-addicted political culture. And it is no secret. Which political leader worth his salt has not used Army as a steppingstone to climb the ladder of political expediency. When the Army openly says it is apolitical and neutral, why queue for Rawalpindi?

Fourth, military interference. It is easy and popular to criticise all things military — irrationally and indecently — from the plush drawing rooms of Islamabad and elsewhere, or from safe havens abroad. In an Islamabad-based seminar on Afghanistan, during first two hours of a three-hour activity, each venerated speaker diverged to criticise the military, its past misadventures, and 75 years of Pakistan’s military-dominated political history rather than proffering policy advice on Afghanistan, for which they were invited. Most participants had ditto talking points and narratives, that they rattled out on other forums. Military never does that. For each activity, there is diligent staff work.

And each time decisions were made by military leadership, these were dictated by environment of the day and popular sentiment, with very few exceptions. It is populist for many to rant about military interference and its ‘disastrous consequences’, forgetting the golden era of Field Marchall Ayub Khan; or the savvy international political maneuvering under Gen Zia ul Haque; or the economic progress under Gen Musharraf. Reports, analyses and data are available for anyone caring to benefit and get educated.

Yes, there were mistakes, sometimes huge and at times unnecessary and avoidable, but who has the benefit of hindsight…and who is aql-e-kul. Do not the political leaders take somersaults and U-turns, even though they have far more filtered and unfiltered information and advice at hand.

Fifth, criticising Generals vis-a-vis the soldiers. Sinister, divisive and malafide as it is, it has no relevance to the truth. Who held an enemy six times larger at bay, all these years? Who built our proud nuclear programme using technology that only a few very advanced nations have? Who held Pakistan’s national interests dearly protected in the past two decades, when the only Superpower and some fifty most powerful countries were sitting next door in Afghanistan, pursuing interests at tangent to ours? Which institution runs the largest network of quality schools even in the remotest areas, entirely self-financed. Which idara had revolutionised urban living through DHAs at no cost to the national exchequer? Which organisation provides healthcare to civilians in millions, again financed through own resources? Which entity aids civil power and political governments during floods, earthquakes, avalanche accidents, census, elections, canal de-silting, surveys, WAPDA duties and strikes, etc. The list is long. Is it the American or any European Military? It is our proud Military, where officers ably lead, and men follow having full confidence and faith in their commanders. And where the son of Havildar can reach the top, without being a dynast.

The Generals of this Force attain that position through sheer hard work, not just through filibustering in public at the top of their voice, using their lineage and pedigree. Yes, once thrust into political dirt they may not fully grasp the environment, get high and make errors of judgment. But these are aberrations, few and far between, and when these happen, Military’s internal backlash is severe and punishing rather than the half-baked trends on social media. Military also deals swiftly with acts of omission and commission from jawan to general.

So, it is time for ‘all’ to stop demonising your own Army in this evil travesty of truth. Those in the know, know the truth. Enough, they should stop misleading their cadre. They would never approach the courts, because then skeletons would fall out of their own closets.

It is not wise to weaken own centre of gravity by making it vulnerable, unless on a ‘mission’.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 16^th, 2023.

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