Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa.
In a rather unusual statement, the military has denied making any effort to postpone polls or put a technocrat set-up in place. The Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa, has said that rumours to this effect in the media are completely inaccurate, and the military has in, fact, consistently supported democracy for the past five years. The possibility of moves afoot to stall elections and instead put a hand-picked set-up in place have been floating for some time, with suggestions made that events in the country have in certain cases been manipulated to fit in with this agenda.
Perhaps we should interpret the ISPR statement as encouraging. After all, our fledgling democratic system needs all the support it can get. But, on the other hand, we need to think what such comments mean and how they fit into the broader national picture. The fact that the military has felt the need to make such a comment acts as a reminder that for many in the country, it is still seen as the real wielder of power; the civilian set-up can operate only when it gives the go-ahead and approval. The ISPR statement, in a way, acts to endorse this way of operating. Just the fact that the military found it necessary to issue the comment is itself important, signalling where ‘real’ authority lies.
We need to think about the nature of our set-up. For our future, it is essential that we work towards altering a situation where the military continues to act as the force which holds actual power, while the civilians work only when it gives the all important nod of support. An elected government should not need to be propped up by any other institution.
This is something we need to work urgently towards. The military has no role in politics. The function of institutions is laid down clearly in our Constitution. It is essential that this document be adhered to by all quarters so that the structure of power can be maintained without ambiguity as to who is actually in command and where orders are issued from.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 23rd, 2013.
COMMENTS (12)
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A nice editorial distorted by inaccuracies. . Firstly: The idea that 2008 elections were free and fair is ludicrous when more than 45% votes were designated as 'bogus'. Seriously, I wonder sometimes if common sense only visits our editors on an occassional basis because how you can term an election with 45% bogus votes 'free and fair' is beyond me.. . Secondly: The Huqqani Memo case was not about Civilian over Military Supremacy, as the PPP's spin doctors led the nation to believe. I was expecting a better analysis from the editor. It was a clear case of treason and if not, then Haqqani should come back to Pakistan and clear his name. Terming it some sort of Civilian-Judiciary struggle is inexplicable at best. (And I dare not mention Asma Jehangir's role in it otherwise this comment will go to the dustbin). . We should wake up from our military phobia and start realising that we have been living in a democracy for the past 5 years and start to learn to live in it. Corrupt politicians are the biggest threat to democracy at the moment and that needs to be tackled before any rants about the 'remote' possibility of a military takeover. Calm down my fellow civilian bureaucrats, I'm one of you, you're jobs are not threatened by any military take over but by your/our own incompetencies, tendencies for corruption and loyalties which are up for sale. Clean up your act to save your beloved democracy.
@Rex Minor: " This affair has cost the Nation a lot and tarnishe the image of the military whch is one of the best in their class "
Best in class? How did you come to that conclusion? It repeatedly attacked India , underestimated India's capability and list the wars. In SIachen where it clais India blindsided it, it tried 4 times and failed 4 times to regain Siachen. I Swat it temporarily made 1.5 million people homeless in 2009 and declared victory without actually killing or arresting any TTP leadership which escaped. It lost half the country in 1971. It has created the present mess in Balochistan under army chief Musharraf.
Yes agreed military should have no role in politics but for this you don't have to discredit the military. Politician can wrest this control through their conduct and good governance. WhaT do you think why people stat looking towards the military every now and then despite. Their, as you say bad performance? It's only because politicians are even worse and people get fed up with their loot and plunder. And then who says we have democracy in Pakistan? It's dictatorship in civilian clothes!
@Enlightened: @Pakistani Ostrich:
Both of you have valid points, but one should not ignore the special love/hate relation of military with Bhutto/Zardari dynasty. This affair has cost the Nation a lot and tarnishe the image of the military whch is one of the best in their class whereas the current civilian structures including the constitution and the legal paragraphs of the land fall short of what one would call a Democracy.
However, it is my analysis that as long as the civlian Govt. can manage their affairs without the military despite extreme violence throughout the country , the military is wise enough to mind their own business. They have no interest to play the role of the smaritans or the.
Rex Minor
An apt editorial. However, military not meddling in politics is wishful thinking which is almost un-achievable in Pakistan. The outgoing civilian govt need to thank the men in boots for allowing them to complete their full term and next one should pray that this trend continues.
"The military has no role in politics." Yet, every other day the COAS or some army wallah keeps mentioning the 'support' for democracy or election. Pray, tell me, in which democratic country does chief of army staff goes on the horn every other day talking about its support democracy and elected representative? Besides, going by past experiences, an ISPR denial of any matter is usually a 'confirmation' of the said event/news being denied!
"The military has no role in politics. The function of institutions is laid down clearly in our Constitution". Many things have been laid down in the constitutions but who cares?
The masters have spoken!
Yeah Sure, they are going to adhere to the constitution of Pakistan, do you recall what Zia had to say about the constitution. Beside, the so called democratic outfit in Islamabad had violated the constitution so much that the Army Generals think they could do it too as they please. Where do you see a President of a State wheeling and dealing in politics and consider himself the chairman of a party, president and PM at the same time, so please come off this dream of democracy without interference of the Army and don't disregard the notion that the road to Islamabad comes through Washington DC.The people of Pakistan has been subjugated for so long that they don't know how to stand up for their rights any more.
@Rex Minor: 'If' only you had given some credit to Rudyard Kipling for your post...
All options are on the table is the message of the army.
If you can keep your head when all about you Are loosing theirs and blaming it on you If you can trust yourself when all others doubt you But make allownce for their doubting you, If you can wait and not be tired by waiting Or being lied about, don't eal in lies Or being hated, don't give way to hating And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise
You know of your stregnths and weaknesses as well, Then you are the last saviour of the country, you love And have served in good and not very good hours from 1947 to 2013.
Rex Minor
Yes We knows both Army and government are helping each other to eliminates FATA Residents I warn the people.of Pakistan this partnership is destroying the unity of the country The tribals will respond when USA leave Afghanistan. Remember my this comment