The eternal balancing act

If Karachi operation is to have credibility then the perception of one entity being singled out needs to be corrected

With the dividing line between civil and military domains becoming fainter by the day, we will do no more than offer to take note of the assertions regarding the activities of the Indian intelligence agency — the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). The comments came after the Corps Commanders meeting in Rawalpindi and were unusually blunt, saying that India via RAW was “whipping up” terrorism in Pakistan and are hardly likely to deflate current tensions between both states. That said the comments probably reflect an intelligence reality, and as India is in all likelihood engaged in activities that are unlikely to be to our benefit, the statement from the military top brass should be seen in that light.

Where comment and analysis is more easily made is in respect of the ongoing operation in Karachi. RAW has also come on stage in the context of the clean-up operation in the city, mainly in the form of some ill-timed words uttered by a senior policeman. This led to some equally ill-advised and hotheaded words from the leadership of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) that in turn had led to considerable irritation on the part of the military and the possibility of legal action being pursued — not for the first time — against the party leadership. In this welter of crossfire and claim and counterclaim, one thing is at least clear — the military-driven operation in Karachi is showing signs of success, but whether that is durable and sustainable remains to be seen. A perception, however, has developed that a single political party — the MQM — has been the primary target. It is no secret that there are more than one culprits when it comes to criminality and political activity. If the operation is to have credibility then the perception of one entity being singled out needs to be corrected. There is a need to demonstrate balance and equity — nobody should be above the law no matter what their political affiliation and that includes the ruling parties both nationally and provincially. The civil-military balance has rarely been as delicate as it is today and all sides must be ever more careful in their actions and statements.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2015.

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