Nawaz and the military

In a recent interview, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif made comments about the military, which bring into focus his political beliefs and the kind of vision he holds for Pakistan. Mr Sharif said that he is not opposed to the army but has doubts about certain generals, who had toppled democratic governments in the past. He mainly praised General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s statement that called for institutions to work together and for none being superior to the other. Many others had interpreted those remarks by the army chief as a kind of threat to the existing order and a warning from the military that it did not wish to be touched by the fingers of the law. Given Pakistan’s history, one wonders whether it is entirely wise for politicians to be hailing such sentiments expressed by a force, which has repeatedly seized power in the country in an illegitimate manner. However, to his credit, Mr Sharif may just have been trying not to give a provocative statement that could have contributed to further heightening of tensions.

The interview also brought to the fore the image of a man, who over the years, has matured as a politician and has become wiser. From being a protégé of a military dictator, Mr Sharif now seems to have come out of the military’s shadow and realise the importance of the rule of law. The other significant aspect was his firm denial that he had not been offered or accepted any money from Younus Habib, as suggested in the Asghar Khan case. Mr Sharif, in fact, pointed fingers in other directions, suggesting that money had been handed over to the PPP and also to certain politicians during General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s era. It is hard to ascertain how much of this may be true in the absence of an investigation.

As one of the major players in Pakistani politics, Mr Sharif’s role as someone who can have a deep influence on the direction the country takes cannot be downplayed. It is hoped that he can play a positive role in helping the country out of the turmoil created by the developments over the past few months, with the military’s role questioned strongly for the first time in our history.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th, 2012.