A source said, Kayani told Nawaz that the security establishment had no ‘secret understanding’ with the US on its drone programme. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD: Officially, little came out from Saturday’s meeting between the incoming premier, Nawaz Sharif, and army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Express Tribune, however, learnt on Sunday that the two sides agreed to ‘overhaul’ the country’s national security and foreign policies.
During the meeting, which lasted three-and-half hours, at Sharif’s Model Town residence in Lahore, the PML-N chief told Kayani that he plans to revisit the policies of the previous administration that have “not only damaged Pakistan’s relations with other countries but also hurt its national interest”.
A close aide to Nawaz told The Express Tribune that the security establishment will hold a detailed briefing on major national security and foreign policy issues for the new government once it is formally sworn in.
The aide quoted Gen Kayani as telling Nawaz that the army “fully respects the mandate given to his party and is ready to follow whatever policies he intends to pursue in the larger national interest”.
Reportedly, the army chief also put his weight behind PML-N’s efforts seeking an immediate end to the US drone campaign in the tribal belt. According to another source, Kayani told Nawaz that the security establishment had no ‘secret understanding’ with the US on its drone campaign. The source pointed out that the PML-N intends to raise the issue with the US administration as soon as it takes charge.
Saturday’s meeting was also aimed at dispelling the impression that PML-N’s election victory might put it at odds with the security establishment because of the ‘historic baggage’, said another PML-N leader.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, he said Nawaz assured Gen Kayani that he had “no grudge against the army as an institution” and that he was ready to work with it to steer the country out of crises.
“It [Kayani-Nawaz meeting] will have a calming effect and will smooth civil-military relations,” said political analyst Dr Ishtiaq Ahmed. “It will also certainly settle nerves in both camps,” he added.
Safe exit for Musharraf
Another issue that was thought to be discussed in Saturday’s meeting was the fate of former president Pervez Musharraf, who is currently under house arrest at his farmhouse on the outskirts of Islamabad.
PML-N sources said there was growing sense within the party’s ranks that Musharraf’s presence in the country and his possible trial could distract the new government from pressing issues. Therefore, if the former president is allowed to leave the country under the pretext of his mother’s ill health or any other reason, the party should not object to it.
While it is clear what the Sharifs intend to do, one party leader said: “If Musharraf leaves the country before the government takes charge, it will be a win-win situation.”
Reportedly, a message has been circulated within the army that Musharraf will be allowed to leave the country soon. The ‘message’ was conveyed in a bid to pacify growing unease within the army over the trial of its former chief.
A military official, when approached, referred to the statement of Gen Kayani he made on ‘Yaum-e-Shuhada’ last month emphasising that “It is not merely retribution, but awareness and participation of the masses that can truly end this game of hide and seek between democracy and dictatorship.”
When contacted, however, both the PML-N and the army refused to comment on the matter.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 20th, 2013.
COMMENTS (32)
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@Ex Lahori: And whoever said that dictators are not corrupt? I have always wondered how the ex-rulers of Pakistan live with comfort in exile! If were to be in exile for any reason, i won't know how to survive!
Overhaul is essential as understood but the doctors of the time fixed no diseas only one part has been considered can creat some technical problem so decided to take it out from total mechanical syaytem,first from the system by court decisions and now from the country on the name of democracy.
It is justice? it is not a justice.In fact there were chances of opening the pendora box and quarters concerned were not in favour so decided to bury it all,
@Ahmed-Dear Sir, Civilian govts are incompetent and corrupt but they contain a self limiting expiry date,the end of their term. With high people participation Pak has sown the seeds of Change if NS does not deliver there are others waiting in the wings to take over.That is the Beauty of the Elections. With the Military dictators people have no Say or Choice. Regarding issues with India, We can arrive at solutions to every ones satisfaction if we start with good faith .As you noticed in Ladakh, India could have easily removed the 50 Chinese soldiers by air power.But it waited for 21 days discussed and sorted the matter. The same way Pak can discuss and settle all the issues.Obviously non state actors can not do any good thing but disrupt this process and obstruct the two nations from progressing on their chosen paths.People realise this and want to take it forward.Let us do it.
@Ahmed: - Sir, i am also stressing that due to various inherent reasons of the political parties they failed in good governance rather they exploited the opportunity for misrule. Naturally public en mass was frustrated with them and welcome the army Generals which initially were comparatively better or projected them better ( than the then civilian governments) . But there is no/ very little scope to criticize them / their activities. They are not accountable for their mis deeds/ activities which tempted them to apply his/ their whims( self righteousness) in the name of national interest without any room for debate/ evaluation by others.. To continue their rule they used the religion to garner the public support They may be less corrupt but lacked the vision for the welfare of society. To them security has the priority over the welfare and because of their training / atmosphere they lived in welfare does not carry weightage in their agenda/ plan.
Sir, you have a false notion that despite the worst governance by the PPP coalition military did not intervene( did not take over). The reason was and is that they know that unlike the past their take over will not be welcome due to public awareness, their misdeeds including division of Pakistan( with the blame on India skirting their responsibilities), handling of Baluchistan insurgency and the failure on their part to tackle the menace of terrorism which is their creation only. In Democracy checks and balances to curb the wrong doings by regime or any else can be created for future which is a major difference. So far peace is concerted it is the civilian regime which is more inclined towards peace than the military rule and it is evident in the global history..
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if neither PML-N nor the army refused to comment on the meeting, why do people waste time in writing such article that can cause mistrust among the literate class. i would request the reader to ignore any such propaganda written by a paid writer.
looks like MQM overhaul has also been discussed.
@PR Sharma you know what you are talking about. In a lot of cases civilians govts were responsible for their downfall. Both Benazir and Nawaz governments in the past, it was civilians governments which were to be blamed entirely because they didn't rule properly and parties are not independent and democratic so internal change was not possible so Army had to step in. In Countries like Pakistan civilian government can take the power from the military if they do what they are supposed to do...serve the masses and don't steal and disregard the rules. In the recent path even PPP MNAs describe how it was worst government in the history of Pakistan and steeped in corruption but military still didn't intervene even though they could have and no one would have shed a tear. We can learn from Turkey if you are good at what you do and people are with you, you can do what you were elected to do. In Turkey no one ever thought and neither did the military that any civilian government can challenge their authority but they have been put in their place for now. India and Pakistan peace equation is tied to the same thing. Good governance in Pakistan and a strong government in India can make it happen at least one hopes.
Army is still strong to control foreign policy relating to India and USA. They derive strength not because they are good but because the civilian governments had been worse/ worst in comparison to army Generals in the public eyes. If Civilian government wants full control on governance they have to ensure improvement of the economy and its fruits been shared by masses and not a few..Establishment took all steps to highlight the inefficiency / bad governance/ corruption of the politicians. Similarly Civil has to improve their image by good governance / growth in economy / least corruption AND use some other shoulders to disclose the misdeeds/ wrongdoings/ bad policy adoption etc. of military and ISI. If NS & its associates are able to do it the Army is bound to restrict within their barracks and follow the policies designed by civilians. Judiciary which is strong at present( with a very respectable image) can play its role in this direction without any instigation. NS can use some one else's shoulder in the name of the rule of law to undermine military to some extent. This will be a long and tactical game and presently there shall be wait and watch( by civil and Army both ) the scenario after the withdrawal of NATO/ USA from Afghanistan to decide the strategic next move. in the mean time extremists will continue their stray activities to reign control on some area and it will be ignored to the possible extent.
May be Kayani wants to join PML-N after retirement
First of all as a citizen of this country i feel unusual and quite strange this meeting take place. This can be done after officially a PM is being appointed. As for what goes on in the meeting, i agree with the Musharraf case only while rest of things is just gossips. I am of the opinion that this meeting reminds me the case BB first regime in 80's where then COAS set certain terms and condition's for BB to become PM.
@Faheem: only one solution, put bane on all political parties in Karachi & haider abad. frame a board of highly qualified & honest people to run the system for 2/3 years. mean while, army has to take action against the armed groups (if serious) otherwise equipped every person for his self protection.
Servants do not make policies. They follow Masters.
Poor people its going to be same old politics and deals , extensions for CJP,COAS, Musharaf to be released and at the end of day it would be said to be in the National Interest! Does hiding the truth behind LDA plaza is also being done in the National Interest. WELL DONE ECP FOR STAGING THE SELECTION / ELECTIONS
This meeting will Inshallah augur well for the country. Salams
How about overhauling the policy of the democratically elected government being dictated to by the military on national interests behind closed doors?
i.e. NRO 2 ...
What about STRATEGIC DEPTH policyy?
DEar Sir
What Policy overhaul we are talking about here? Will PML(N) agree to the fact that this war on terror is Pakistan's war and not an American war. Will PML(n) agree that their government will continue the war against the terrorists and marauders who are using Islam as a shield for their nefarious designs. Let PML(n) comes out clearly on this issue and we then can say that they are now on board with our establishment on this. Otherwise we shall continue to see the pacification of terrorists by our main political powers i.e PTI & PML(N). By the way, the way ANP has been routed in KP in recent elections, will any political party take such a clear and bold stand against terrorism in Pakistan ever again???????? The mind boggles really at the thinking of our masses on such a dangerous issue as terrorism which is literally eating at the vitals of our state.
Mudassar Salim
Musharraf must face a fair trial and must face full punishment if found guilty!
The way NS is minding his steps, its totally opposite to the 90's.
May all this turn into betterment for Pakistan.
@k. Salim Jahangir: My condolences. I cannot even begin to imagine how I would feel if that happened to me. I hope that tolerance takes root in Pakistan and people don't feel that a different way to pray or different language is reason to kill. May peace prevail.
Kiyani took guarantee from NS for no adventure while he is flying in the aero plane.
This is the last chance for civilians to take back what is rightfully theirs: the sole authority to formulate foreign policy, national security paradigm, education policy, and all other policies. If NS & company mess up this time, expect to live under black boots for a long, long time.
And they say military supports democracy.Well legacy of 65 years
Deal is secured to shift Musharraf out of country before PML-N take outh.
Time will show their real faces to people.
@Faheem:
Oh no!, we have seen enough of Kayani, We want change so no more extension for Kayani or CJP Iftekhar Chowdhery.
If mush gets away hook or fluke, it will not only send a message to the army that they can get away with anything but also send the message that they can get away with civilian's cooperation. This is not good for Pakistan. The charges of usurping the democratically elected govt, charges of manhandling the judiciary and charges of murder of Bukti and Lal masjid charges deserve a trial and not an escape thru the net. The civilian govt did its part when it gave a honorable exit and sent off mush when Zardari took over. But Mush's coming back to haunt Pakistan definitely deserves the trial and court procedures. Best course of action will be to try Musharaff and be lenient on the charges. There were many other dictators before and Mush is not the first etc do not hold water. The application of the rules should start somewhere and let Mush be the first and give him that honour and only that. Bad precedences are not to be considered and if done will set the same tone for future.
Proof will come when we see the results. Before that it is all bluster and hot air.
So why was he so reluctant to discuss overhauling policy when the last govt was in power? mistrust or arrogance or didnt want to give PPP any real policy changing powers?
Closed door meeting..........Did they also discuss the carnage going on endlessly in Karachi for the last so many years & not a single criminal has so far been caught or tried & punished??There is no government in Pakistan, every one for himself.Will some one in the name of GOD,if they believe in Him, will take a note of these ruthless killings of innocent people in Karachi & bring an end to it. Here one will not discuss the general law & order situation obtaining in Pakistan because the security agencies are by & large doing their job.One has lost a sister brutally murdered in DHA Karachi,hence this out burst.
Any news about Gen Kiani's extension?