The reality is that General Sharif is reacting to burgeoning discontent within his institution at all levels, and the two ministers are goading an institution that has been behaving itself contrary to how it has reacted in the past. PHOTO: FILE
A warning shot has been fired. Rumblings of inter-institutional acrimony are in the air once again and all parties need to step back and take a deep breath to avert the possible exhuming of a buried hatchet. The statement of Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif about the army “resolutely preserving its own dignity” has added fuel to a dying fire — and the purveyors of doom will now come out en masse, religiously pedaling theories of conspiracy and machination. This is not yet the case — and the army chief’s statement, while disquieting, should not be read without background. There was no context provided in the statement, but the message was pretty clear — his words pertained to General (retd) Pervez Musharraf.
But let the record be cleared: it was not so much about his trial in court as much as it was about the public trial currently being held in the media by certain senior leaders of the political class. To read it as a threat against trying General (retd) Musharraf is to overlook certain realities: aside from different courts hearing various cases against him, a special court has also been formed to try the former dictator for his severe constitutional breaches — and he has now even been indicted in a historic process. He has not been allowed to skip town and not exempted from court appearances until recently. Let there be no doubt: if the army were against this due process, it would never have taken off.
Democracy may be flourishing in Pakistan, but the institutional strength of the army remains intact. That is a reality. Public intervention is no longer an acceptable reality and even the slightest hint of back-room pressure is picked up by the media and highlighted to the point of retreat. This is not the Pakistan of the 1990s. However, the process is far from complete — and “red lines” still exist, even with the army seeming to be on board this process.
The exception being taken here by General Sharif is of a different sort. It pertains to the public aspect of these trials — gratuitous and unnecessary statements by senior leaders of the PML-N in their public attempts to humiliate a former army chief. One can argue all they want about why a former army chief should be above public condemnation and even humiliation. That’s fair in an ideal situation. But the reality is that these senior leaders are stress-testing a system that is still in its infancy and thereby threatening its gains. The reality is that General Sharif is reacting to burgeoning discontent within his institution at all levels, and the two ministers are goading an institution that has been behaving itself contrary to how it has reacted in the past. They’re asking, pleading for a reaction. And that’s not good politics. Even Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has taken note of this, with reports suggesting that the two were told off this past weekend at a meeting for taking potshots at an under-trial army chief at a stage where everything is headed in the right direction and civil-military relations are good.
And that brings us to another point: the media’s oft-sensational speculation on relations between Rawalpindi and Islamabad. These are the same people who said General (retd) Musharraf would never face court. That he would never face charges. That he would never be indicted. That he would fly out before anything would happen. They have been proven wrong. Yet, they continue to beat a dead horse, continue to speculate on unsubstantiated and often imaginary issues and “differences”. And that’s not good journalism; that’s irresponsible journalism, desperate for sellable controversy and spicy headlines. The premier and the army chief would do well to sit together and clear out the air and put to rest any apprehensions. There is no need for hostile public statements and warning shots. This is a battle that cannot and must not be restarted. This project must continue.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (11)
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It is worth reading article , totally agree with ur thoughts sir.
Ch. Allah Daad , U better do some research before commenting about the institution in question, it is ground reality that Jawans and junior officers are not happy by the childish attitude of the politicians & mind u the Army has unconditional Loyalty to the People of Pakistan not the Politicians and how exactly do u see it as Political issue ??? It is National issue i believe. Pls go through the link given below and lets know ur opinion http://pakistannrectifiedguy.wordpress.com/2014/04/08/musharraf-and-24-traitors/
@TooTrue: When will the politicians learn their lesson? What good have they brought to us aside from enriching themselves and their next seven generations?
Honestly, it is at the Army's grace that the PML-N government gets to talk up this "supremacy of the parliament" nonsense. If the parliament is so supreme then why is it so incapable of passing laws that help the common man? What good has this parliament and its over paid members done for this country except blame the Army for their own shortcomings?
Pakistani politicians think Pakistan is their fief. For as long as they think like this, don't expect anything to change. The Army will boot their rears out of power in the future too for this exact behavior. Its a sad commentary and while one would hope this does not happen, all of the short sighted policies taken up by the current government point to that outcome.
@Muneer: I absolutely agree with you Muneer!
Do they really think the Pakistani public cares about Musharraf's trial? If anything they have good memories of the economy doing alright, the law and order situation not down in the gutters, cost of living comparatively affordable compared to prices today. What we, the public, care about is the threat to our lives in the shops, bazaars, masajids and everywhere we frequent with our families. We are suffering for lack of electricity and running water. So what stupid justice am I getting with this sham, selective trial that does not even address the original military takeover of 1999. So who are they fooling with this nonsense?
Army is not a political party in which ordinary workers can demand answers and explanations from their leaders. Its a well organized, disciplined force, in which no one can dare to challenge or argue his superior officer, therefore don't scare us that Jawans and junior officers are not happy. Jawans and junior officers have never resisted nor disobeyed any illegal and unconstitutional orders of previous army dictators. Their unconditional loyality is enough to prove that they follow orders and do not comment or care about political issues. When Generals need something for themselves, they play these tricks to blackmail politicians. General Kayani has done it before to get extension.
I have never read such a mature and thorough editorial by Tribune earlier.
my only comment: "i second the write up word for word".
a. Khwajas are spoiling the relationship through their "personal" views - which the media loves to portray as PML-N views.
b. PML-N has taken Government in Pakistan to save the day. If they end up entangled in the same "within Pakistan political arena", then they will be shamed by history. If they however manage to maintain relations with all inside Pakistan, and improve relations outside Pakistan as they seem to be doing thus far, and of course offer an economic life line to Pakistan, they will be praised by history.
c. Nawaz Sharif is probably the luckiest politician in Pakistan, to have been made PM for the 3rd time. He MUST appreciate the support of the people of Pakistan to the fullest, and uphold all national integrity and interests foremost.
and considering that, he must give the Khwajas a shut up call to avoid discourse and unexpected pitfalls and potholes that are neither good for PML-N, nor the Army and over all for Pakistan.
Civilian supremacy? It would have been supreme, if the government institutions such as PIA and Railways were profitable, had our leaders paid income tax, not got voted in via fake votes. Had they built locomotives locally, had they built cars locally, had they built smartphones locally, had they managed to keep the streets clean, had our police been efficient, had countries accepted visa free travel for Pakistanis. What supremacy are they talking about?
'Preserving the dignity' may be the only thing this army is good at by the look of things. They should put their head down in shame over their past travesties and do the job assigned to them instead of passing huffing and puffing about their dignity. Need they be reminded that their dignity was in tatters in 71? or every time they have halted the democratic process by throwing the constitution away?
Nawaz Shariff should take the next logical step. Break the military's threat to democracy. He should discipline this general, even to the point of dismissal. If, then, there's a revolt the army will eventually learn its lesson. This is the only way forward.
The trial of Musharraf is in fact trial of the Army.The editorial and statements of politicians clearly indicates it.The spin of media to depict it as a trial of individual will not work.The trial is a tool to defame the army and settle scores of the past.How could one term the impending trail as a fair trial,when the media,elected representatives both in power and opposition and above all the judiciary has already pronounced and treating Musharraf as convicted of the guilt?.If the reliance on Musharraf case is on documentary evidence of declaring the emergency and variuos other orders,then the documentary evidence of validation of all martial laws, Oct 99 take over and even Nov 2007 emergency is also available in the form of the SC judgements and the Parliament Acts and resolutions. Why not pronounce all those military initiators, abettors/ collaborators also as convicts and guilty of treason?. And proceed accordingly.Musharraf trial is based on malafide intentions with the sole purpose to defame the army and bring it in disrepute.
As a matter of fact army should not indulge in politics as the law dictates. These generals are drunk with power, if they wanted any respect and prestige they should have court Martial Musharraf when he was heading a coup d'etat but most of them supported him that was treasonous by itself. It is very important to strengthen the economy and spend a great deal of finances on education, industry and on law enforcement to retain army's prestige, keep within their boundaries and deter some of their lust of power. Our Jawans are Pakistan's big asset and they have sacrificed a lot but the politician generals are the one who to be blamed for disrespect. Improve the economy, that is the best revenge.