Games people play
The electronic media perceptions of Shaikh Rasheed whispering sweet nothings in his ears makes a lot of Imran’s well-wishers want to throw up. Those allegedly using Shaikh Rasheed as a conduit to Imran Khan’s needs to get their heads examined.
Aberrations like enormous funds being diverted from other priorities for the Metro Bus projects notwithstanding, one cannot detract from Shahbaz Sharif’s efforts to deliver governance in Punjab. However the deliberate prevarication in applying the rule of law despite the unambiguous indictment in the June 17 Model Town tragedy delivered by a one-man High Court judge tribunal is damning! Reportedly, the incriminating evidence of the Direct Conversation Record (DCR) is the “smoking gun” “why have the ‘shooters’ not come into action?”! Can the true picture about the Model Town horror ever emerge while Shahbaz remains CM?
Meant to shore up “democracy”, live TV coverage of the joint session of Parliament backfired in public perception, exposing the self-serving motivated intent of our legislators. The absolute farce on display in our Assemblies was disastrous. Our parliamentarians are desperate to maintain the feudal status quo, preferably without local government!
The obnoxious stories targetting the army for ‘scriptwriting’ is partly the khakis’ own fault. Five general officers close to retiring or being newly promoted does not matter, what matters is the consensus the COAS evolves from his Corps Comds, which he must convey to the prime minister, not publicly but privately. In previous years the generals gave the commands for intervention and the soldiers were content following orders, this time around the rank and file are unanimously aligned with the message Imran and Tahirul Qadri are delivering. There is a vast difference between supporting a political party or supporting a message, in this case the song more than the singers! Whatever their personal feelings, the generals have to take notice of the feelings widely pervasive in their command. Understanding that military intervention could be disastrous if the previous ‘scripts’ are followed, give a mature military hierarchy credit for standing by seeing their country being looted while their soldiers continue giving the ultimate sacrifice in Fata and Swat. Give the generals (not five but all) credit for remaining patient in the face of grave provocation created by badmouthing through outright lies by fabrication and double-speak, not only in the joint session but outside Parliament.
Exceeding the norms of propriety from time to time, Imran’s tactics have been reasonably successful. Once the electoral system is remedied by Parliament, the rulers will have a moral obligation to get a fresh mandate according to the reforms, it will also fulfill a legal necessity. Instead of going for an “overkill”, everyone will be better off if the “sit-inners” adopt the KISS (keep it simple, stupid) formula, concentrate simply on reforming the electoral system.
Failure to keep one’s aim simple can complicate matters that will lead to frustration and rage, that can turn into violence. What will our patient generals do then, shoot thousands to prevent anarchy?
Published in The Express Tribune, September 18th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (19)
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I feel sometimes the comments are motivated rather than being objective. Attacking the personality of the authors reflects bias and prejudice. I suggest we should focus on the intellectual integrity of the author, the issues raised and the facts presented. I find Mr. Ikram Seghal has been frank and fair in analysis. The issues highlighted by him are real and close to the hearts of many. The solutions and recommendations made by him do reflect his patriotism and deep sense of loyalty to Mr. Jinnah's vision of Pakistan. I feel his critics have issues with his unflinching love for Pakistan and his hope for the future of the country.
Enemies of this country admire writers like Ayesha Siddiqa for their biased opinions against Pakistan army, and patriotic writers like Mr. Sehgal are targeted by them. The people recently stood up against the flight being delayed due to one VIP because they saw thousands standing up in the capital for more than a month. Sometimes you need a push and IK has given that push. But those who would continue to blame the establishment won't understand this as it will hurt their ego. The definition of change can be different for different people. Those for whom this dharna has been a complete "failure" are overlooking many realities.
@Malevros why so much against Ikram Sehgal and the establishment? Is it a personal grudge or you aren't even a Pakistani?
The electoral system can never be 'reformed' in the presence of PMLN/PPP majority.If violence ensues it is the the government's responsibility to control it,through Police.As per ISPR the army cannot afford to take sides in a political crisis of this nature.If the government decides to call army to prevent violence,then Nawaz Sharif government have to listen/accept their proposal to control the situation.
True, this dharna is a failure. The objective of Miaan Sahebs resignation was to be achieved in a week or two, but they failed. Yes, the poor will be encouraged by the rhetoric that Imraan spews and that is politics. But Imraan himself has failed his own constituents with the lofty promises he made. Imraan will achieve much more if only he fixes up all the problems in KP. If he misses this opportunity, he will be doomed come the next elections.
Very well, thought provoking analysis Mr Seghal...there is always 2 to tango, but you have said it. The present dharna is " a national awakening ". I am appalled by the intellectual capacity of those people who are supporting the status quo. where have their conscience gone ? If no rigging took place in those 4 constituencies, then why those elected people from those 4 constituencies took stay order from court from opening re-count & verification ? Please, someone convince me on this issue !
Likewise Pak Army sending a message to our enemies that they cannot impose their agenda through arm struggle in Pakistan, IK is also sending a message to the enemies that they by investing in Kangaroo‘s, Media, EC and getting support from so-called democrats cannot capture power in Pakistan. Nation is awakening!!
Likewise Pak Army sending a message to our enemies that they cannot impose their agenda through arm struggle, IK is also sending a message by his dharna to the enemies to not think of investing in Kangaroo‘s, Media, EC and getting support from so-called democrats to capture power.
@sabi:
Pls read the events carefully and you will see a writing on the wall- -orphan inqilabis.
Pls read the events carefully and you will see a writing on the wall- -exiled darbaris.
@observer Mr. Khan always condemned the attacks on soldiers, he only said that the issue should preferably be resolved through talks so that it doesn't escalate. Also, Mr. Sehgal or any writer for that matter, cannot discuss everything you have in your mind in one article.
@sabi Ever heard of something called "analysis"?
If Pakistan is comprehensively reformed so that wealth and privilege is equitably distributed, the ones to lose most will be those who currently have the most entitlements. This is just a basic rule of arithmetic and accounting. And who are these people with the most entitlements in our society? Army high command, large landowners, and senior bureaucrats. So why would the Army let Imran become the prime minister? Unless it either thinks Imran will hold everyone else accountable in Pakistan but not the usual sacred cows, or it is just using Imran as a battering ram to topple Nawaz and will promptly dump the battering ram once the fort's gate has been crashed.
The writer has not only pointed out the right things that Imran Khan is doing, but he has also highlighted what the generals of Pak army should not do for maintaining the army's contrasting and different role from the politics. Very objective analysis by the writer and illogical comment by Malveros!
Would shooting thousands to restore order be manageable or shooting actual millions?(not just claims) who decides on the numbers..
Games people play
Here are some of the games Mr Sehgal is playing
Game 1- give a mature military hierarchy credit for standing by seeing their country being looted while their soldiers continue giving the ultimate sacrifice in Fata and Swat.
Mr Sehgal completely omits any mention of Mr Khan's opposition to any action against the same people who were killing Pakistani soldiers. AND, he is also silent on the fact that the exCOAS preferred inaction even in the face of beheadings of his soldiers and the assassination of a General.
Game 2- Give the generals (not five but all) credit for remaining patient in the face of grave provocation created by badmouthing through outright lies by fabrication and double-speak, not only in the joint session but outside Parliament.
Mr Sehgal does not , of course, substantiate this allegation. And his memory fails when it comes to NLC and Golf scams. He is also silent on a 'Treason Trial' pending under Article 6 of the Constitution.
Game 3- Those allegedly using Shaikh Rasheed as a conduit to Imran Khan’s needs to get their heads examined.
Whether the heads get examined or not, this does seem to be an admission of the fact that Sheikh Rasheed is indeed some one's emissary. Mr Sehgal would rather not tell us -Whose?
Another gem from Ikram Sehgal, The Feudals can not guage the mood of the people and things are only going to get harder for them.
Author: Were you siting in corp commanders meetings or were you sitting between prime minister and coas meetings.If not how do you so conveniently pass a judgments when events occurring on the ground telling an opposite story. Pls read the events carefully and you will see a writing on the wall- -orphan inqilabis.
I have the highest admiration for the personal courage and thinking of Ikram Sehgal. In 1971, he was a Army helicopter pilot in East Pakistan, got taken POW, was one of the few to escape from there to return to West Pakistan, rejoin the Army and again took part in actual combat operations till the war was over in the West.
He later single-handedly launched his security firm in the 70's, and made it into Pakistan's most successful. He continually presents a positive image of the Country in international forums, including DAVOS, at his own expense.
What I admire most has been his courage in providing us with a glimpse into the thinking and viewpoint of the Forces, even when it was considered highly unfashionable and distasteful for anyone to attempt do so. The reception he gets is there for all to see.
The US, where I spent many years before coming to Australia, adopted the military doctrine of "Full Spectrum Domination" to describe its gloves-off and highly aggressive interventionist style. Even without any clear victories in Iraq and Afghanistan, it has ground the Arab / Islamic nations of the World into a state of quiet subservience.
What is needed therefore is an awareness of "Full Spectrum Defence". This concept I gather from the writings of Ikram Sehgal. The Western powers, NATO, even Australia are in no mood to give any quarter to whomsoever they decide to select as the Bad Guys. The recipients of this treatment, while they can, must therefore consider defence across the full spectrum, even in areas where they are hesitant to step into. The most important of these areas is in keeping the public well aware and advised of the realities the Country faces. There is no point in assuming a stand-offish, chivalrous posture in these present times.
Wars and battles are won or lost well in advance firstly in the schoolrooms, second on the basis of economic performance, and third in the court of public opinion.
To give an example, there is little point in adding to the superstructure and weapon systems of a battleship, in maintaining spit and polish and smart drills in starched whites, when the submerged hull of the vessel is being rapidly consumed by forced galvanic reaction. The corrosive agents are there for all to see, they do their deed openly, and that is the only skill in life they know.
I believe Ikram Sehgal has a valid and timely point to make in his articles.
Establishment's pithoo back again