In the ‘national interest’

Thankfully, SC did not fall for ‘national interest’ excuse given by former MI head Sindh to justify his actions.

We hear a lot about ‘national interest’ in our country. The clause comes up repeatedly, as has been the case at key moments in our history. We heard those familiar words during the hearing of the Asghar Khan petition, claiming mass rigging of the 1990 general elections by intelligence agencies. Thankfully, however, the Supreme Court did not fall for the ‘national interest’ excuse given by former head of Military Intelligence (MI) for Sindh to justify his actions. Instead, the Court in its short order has categorically declared that corrupt practices did indeed take place in the 1990 elections and that the petition is now admissible for regular hearing.

The Court also made the very welcome observation that the ISI and the MI cannot influence electoral results or play a role in the country’s political affairs. Not only this, the Court has held the then president, army chief, ISI chief and other MI personnel responsible for establishing an illegal ‘election cell’. This development is a vital step in making amends for a historical wrong that should have been righted a long time ago, considering the petition had been pending for 16 years. The statement made by the retired MI brigadier a day earlier indicates the mentality of the military and intelligence agencies’ top brass, who seem to think that they have the right to decide what is best for the country. The brigadier said that the 1990 operation did indeed take place — though it was carried out by the MI rather than the ISI. He gave “national interest” as the reason behind it and stated that “anti-state activities” by some players made the measure necessary.

It is pertinent here to ask who has the right to decide what is in the national interest. Is it the right of the people of Pakistan through their representatives sitting in parliament to decide this vital question or should self-appointed guardians — who are not answerable to the people — take it upon themselves to do this? This case, the order that has followed and the regular hearings that will now take place are of huge significance. They indicate the kind of forces that lurk behind the scenes, manipulating events as suits their own interest. Important facts have come to light and suggest that we need to find ways to rein in the agencies.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 20^th, 2012.