The writer is a defence analyst who retired as a lieutenant colonel in the Pakistan Army
Retire and fade away is the best way forward for military officers retiring on senior ranks. Why do Pakistani generals, while in service, seldom question the wisdom and authority of their benefactor — the chief of army staff (COAS) — yet when they retire, have so many stories to tell? Why do generals lose their balance when the shoulder that carries their head no more puts on the badges of ranks they adorned while in the army? Why can’t they understand that whatever they say and do ‘out of uniform’ will hold little importance compared with what they have said and done while in uniform.
The COAS of the Pakistan Army has the sole authority to appoint generals to the various positions they hold. Being appointed a corps commander of Karachi or Lahore is a more lucrative posting compared with the position of the corps commander of Bahawalpur or Gujranwala. These officers not only act as corps commanders but also as presidents of real estate empires known as DHAs. Besides this, on retirement, generals are appointed managing directors and chairmen of the many corporate entities that the army runs. You wouldn’t be eyeing those positions if you were opposing or challenging your boss during service. The truth of the matter is that if the core set of decision-making officers in the Pakistan Army (corps commanders and principal staff officers of the COAS) listen to the calls of their conscience more often during service than after retirement, we would have no Kargils. We are ‘Kargilled’ because some of them fail to take positions and defend them resolutely.
General (retd) Pervez Musharraf may be absolutely and unilaterally blamed for the Kargil fiasco. But why shouldn’t we blame the head of the ISI, the deputy chief of army staff and five of the nine corps commanders for keeping mum. Even if some of them have spoken about it, they have done so only after enjoying all perks and privileges, including a shot at a beneficial posting in the corporate sector after retirement. National interests and not personal benefits and emotions should guide the behaviour of our senior military officers. It is very easy for Lt Gen (retd) Aziz to now indulge in the blame game sitting in his picturesque farmhouse in Pindi Begwal at the foothills of Murree but whether he should have stayed quiet during service is the question he must ask himself.
There are no senior officers who lost their lives during the Kargil operation. The junior officers and men who lost their lives did so honourably serving a cause. “The unsound military plans based on wrong assumptions” as Lt Gen (retd) Aziz points out, are a nightmare that should haunt the senior officers involved with the planning at that time. He knows that this was not the first time that military strategy in Pakistan went wrong. In 1965, we went into Kashmir thinking that India will not open a front against us across the international border; it did. We have yet to find whom to blame for the failure of that military strategy. The tragedy is not that we didn’t hold anyone responsible; it is that our textbooks declare that war as a victory and we celebrate September 6 as our Defence Day.
Lastly, if a nation has the will and intent to hold its generals accountable, it holds them accountable while they are in service. General Stanley A McChrystal and General David Petraeus are two recent examples. One was recalled from Afghanistan and retired and the other retired while holding the position of director CIA. How many generals can we name who were retired or resigned after what the country has been through in the last couple of years?
To Lt Gen (retd) Aziz: Sir, you should have spoken when it mattered. For now, please keep quiet.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2013.
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Author has highlighted this issue beautifully, which I have been wondering for long time "In 1965, we(Pakistan) went into Kashmir thinking that India will not open a front against us across the international border; it did. We have yet to find whom to blame for the failure of that military strategy. The tragedy is not that we didn’t hold anyone responsible; it is that our textbooks declare that war as a victory and we celebrate September 6 as our Defence Day"
I completely agree with the writer. It definitely doesn't matter at all after so many years. However we must also take into account the fact that while in service or a few years after retirement as per the profession code they are not allowed to say anything about the matters they were privy to while in service. I am not justifying the stupid acts, but the author should have also atleast acknowledged this fact i.e. officiers are not allowed to speak about such issues while in service and after retirement for some time.
but in the end. Kargil was definitely a misadventure and proper accountability of the responsible officers is must.
Salute You Sir for parting with the Regiment. Nearly all of our Faujis are more loyal to their Army than they are to the country. With voices like this we can invest hope in Pakistan.
Another Salute.
A two handed salute to you Sir!
Thank you for writing this.
Instead of asking them to keep quite, you should have suggested some ways and means for them to vent their opinions while in service. For example all commercial ventures of the Army must be sold to private sector and above all appointments must be made not directly by COAS but by civilians on the recommendations of COAS.
@gp65: "The question Pakistanis should ask themselves is that why do Indian armed force leadership have fewer perks" The perks and benefits for khakis were not offerd on plate but were 'orderd' by generals and poor civilions had no choice but to obey and not to ask why.
"Sir you too are speaking post retirement so why should not Gen Aziz speak now?"
There is a difference-Author of this article is writing columns as an analyst which he couldn't during his service time.General Shahid has writen a book boasting of disclosing important secrets and that is the point author has raised.
I really do not understand why Aziz must not speak out? Whitle blowers can chose their timings, if Aziz had spoken out when Musharraf was in power..chances are Aziz would not found himself killed or imprisoned on filmsy charges. Aziz has every right to chose when to speak his mind on his own terms and conditions. The only thing that matters is - Is He Telling The Truth?
Also Musharraf is now a Politician .. and as Per Pak SC .. criticizing politicians is always good fun!
@gp65 Good question why writer is speaking post retirement, it may not be correct.In all probablities he must have challenged or argued or disagreed with seniors while serving and was axed and had to retire as Lt Col. Good words from anybody should be welcomed.There are thousands of retired officers how many take trouble of doing this great service. Once again Kudos to writer.Keep doing your work, we need good thinkers
Better Late than Never ++++++++++++++++++++ " To Lt Gen (retd) Aziz: Sir, you should have spoken when it mattered. For now, please keep quiet." Seriously disagree with that. Of course it would have been far better if he had spoken while in the Army and not speaking is a personal failure keeping quiet eternally would be a collective failure for Pakistan. Why cant we distinguish a personal failure from the collective benefit such revelations usher in?
"To Lt Gen (retd) Aziz: Sir, you should have spoken when it mattered. For now, please keep quiet". Sir you too are speaking post retirement so why should not Gen Aziz speak now? If there were decisions that significantly hurt the nation, why should that information not come out in the public domain? Why should accountability only be for civilians?
Ehsan, thanks for confessing the mess Pak Army did, "In 1965, we went into Kashmir thinking that India will not open a front against us across the international border; it did". Time has come to tell the truth about "Kashmir Fiasco" and the humiliation army got as a result of Opreation Gibralter. Till date army has been a failure in devising any military strategy,( refer Hamood ur Rehman Commision Report) evrn on the western front it was a complete disaster, we lost 5000 sq miles to Indian army. Lt Gen Irshad and Maj Gen Rahim Khan nominated as the main culprits in 1971 war got away with prize postings. Maj Gen Rahim as Chairman PIA. The top brass is a mafia only interested in their perks and privileges. God save Pakistan from these crooks aameen.
@Asjad: "Accusing Mush gives rise to feelings in Punjab…political advantage for Nawaz…n just may be may be a return to the NAB chairmanship after God forbid Nawaz comes in power for Mr.Sleeping for 15 years general…" . I believe you have hit the nail.
Question "Why do Pakistani generals, while in service, seldom question the wisdom and authority of their benefactor — the chief of army staff (COAS)" Because the army rules as an institution/team to plunder the country. They all get more than their share. That is the only reason there is no counter coup against any army takeover. They work in packs.
@dasmir: "More-over the lust of perk and office due to four military interventions have made them taste nectar of power."
The question Pakistanis should ask themselves is that why do Indian armed force leadership have fewer perks when in power and fewer retirement benefits though they won all the wars and yet Pakistani armed force leadership despite losing self started wars, losing half the country, not even acknowledging their own dead soldiers continue to be helf in high esteem and continue to enjoy their series 7 BMWs.
Well you should be able to understand the rational and purpose of these accusations..."some" people are considering Nawaz as PM in waiting...Accusing Mush gives rise to feelings in Punjab...political advantage for Nawaz...n just may be may be a return to the NAB chairmanship after God forbid Nawaz comes in power for Mr.Sleeping for 15 years general...
Btw can we also mention 15 years of silence on the Jinnahpur story against MQM...by army man Imitiaz ...dont rem his designation !
@Something Clever: There is no compulsion in following illegal orders. Oath is to the constitution not to your superior officer.
Because a society sends same stuff to army as it does to Politics,beareucracy and business.They don't drop into military ranks from sky as angels.More-over the lust of perk and office due to four military interventions have made them taste nectar of power.It will not go easily.
Author Excellant article kudos. Generals are responsible for every mess in this country.They dared to attack mighty Indian army,soviets, but for a tiny majority of killer mullahs,they have thousands excuses.Generals have a big network of propagandist telling lies,bashing politicians spreading hatred in public against demmocracy brought by politicians.They want to controle everything in this poor country for their luxarious life.They will continue this dirty practise as long as people don't come on the streets led by politicians.
An excellent article depicting the pyshic of the senior echelons of the army.It would be more appropriate if this article is read by all serving and retiring generals. They all should seek forgiveness from Allah Almighty and as suggested by the writer it is better if they speak less or don't speak at all
They should have pity on the institution that gave them so much.
This all boys fraternity where everyone keeps their silence as they get promoted and eye post retirement goodies, works well in a military to a point. But then there is a fine line between comradery and out and out corruption. Towards which the whole edifice has now shifted.
"Why do Pakistani generals, while in service, seldom question the wisdom and authority of their benefactor — the chief of army staff (COAS) — yet when they retire, have so many stories to tell?" It's called insubordination. Considering the credentials under your photo, you should be well aware of that.
Very well said it sir and i dont get it when they say well deciplined or well scare...