In today’s episode of the Tribune Take we take a look at the ever growing rift between the federal government and the military. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has taken notice of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s interview to a Chinese newspaper in which he said that the army chief and DG ISI gave statements to the Supreme Court without the government’s approval.
Kamran Yousaf, Senior Reporter for The Express Tribune in Islamabad, says that such a stern statement from the ISPR ensures that there would be no coup by the military. If the military was thinking in terms of a takeover, there wouldn't be a need for such a statement, he adds.
Instead, he says the military is banking on the Supreme Court to use the National Reconciliation Ordinance verdict to add pressure to the federal government. While the federal government, he says, prefers to go down as political martyrs for electoral benefits, by alleging a conspiracy against them.
Yousaf adds that conditions in Islamabad seem fluid and it is difficult to predict what will happen next.
Read Kamran Yousaf’s articles here.
Follow Kamran Yousaf on Twitter.
The Tribune Take daily news web show will appear on the tribune.com.pk home page.
The Take will feature in-depth interviews and analysis with editors and reporters who are covering the major stories, exploring front page events and major ledes. The news analysis covers the way The Express Tribune examines a story, how we cover it and why.
COMMENTS (12)
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@Adnan: @Cautious: Army's limited role in the affairs of the country, that too on matters of national security, can not be wished away overnight. What has been in practice all these years, will gradually fade away. Please be realistic, look at the state of affairs in the country. It is Kayani who has been exercising restraint against all odds, thus far. No coup will come in his tenure ----- guaranteed. Yes, he can come to the assistance of the court, when asked. Democracy is here to stay, only the right people have to be voted in to correct things going wrong. Lets strengthen the hands of the Judiciary and support the Army fighting powerful forces that are determined to breakup this country.
Supreme of law of the land is constitution. Constitution says sovereignty goes to the God and is to be exercised through chosen representatives of the people. Now, if somebody or group desecrates the constitution, who in fact is desecrated? And how such people can demand good governance and rule of law from others? Particularly when generations of opportunists and unscrupulous persons are cultivated over the period of 64 years. Please make the military overthrow an unacceptable phrase in the country. Nobody should be allowed even to talk about that.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui. Sounds pretty dramatic/paranoid - can you be more specific on which "enemies" are watching Pakistan? I would observe that the whole World is watching Pakistan and scratching their head --- seems like your on a road to self destruction in part because your focused on "enemies".
Dont do it Pak Army!!
Please no more "Meray Aziz Hum Watno". SC should now stop its performance as "B" Team of our Jawans.
Army is better off sitting on the sideline watching things slowly go down the toilet - eventually the people will say enough and ask the army to step in. A cynic might argue that this is what the army has planned all along.
@Mohammad Ali Siddiqui: Why do you need external enemies when you have them within? If you do have eternal enemies, why are you helping them with all this commotion?
Army is more interested in playing politics than to play its role, i.e. to safeguard the boundaries of Pakistan and keep the terrorists away. I'm very sad to learn that they will never learn!
@Khan Saab: army didn't impose a martial law even when they WERE ABLE to handle the reaction, during lawyers movement. Also it was Gen. Keyani who forced the govt to restore CJ
All eyes of enemies are focused on Pakistan.
I hope that collective sense will prevail to defeat the enemies of Pakistan.
We must give priority to defend the country from internal and external threats rather than accusing each other.
Let us think with cool heads. Military coup is not the only solution. We must think as how to bring back the government and army close to each other.
We all are Pakistanis, One Nation and One National Flag which is higher than any flag of political party in the country.
Army is not in position to topple the govt and then handle the reaction. No other reason stops it !
Ok, now I am really concerned about a military takeover. But I want this incompetent and corrupt government to complete its term so they are booted out by electorate and not the army. It appears that the government is doing its damnedest best to get itself overthrow so they can claim the mazloom/martyr tag again.