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Posted by admin in Asif Zardari Crook Par Excellance, BILAWAL ZARDARI BAMBINO KINGS OF CORRUPTION, BILWAL & ASID ZARDARI SHAITANS OF PAKISTAN, CORRUPTION OF SHAHBAZ SHARIF, CORRUPTION-PAKISTAN SUPREME COURT, COWARD OF KARGIL NAWAZ SHARIF, Criminals, Domestic Policy, ISHAQ DAR:THIEF OF PUNJAB, MALIK RIAZ, Politics & International Relations, Sajjad Shaukat's Column on November 1st, 2014
With the passage of more than 70 days, the prevailing political turmoil in Pakistan has deepened, as protesting groups of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) by Dr. Tahirul Qadri have continued AZADI (Freedom) and INQILAB (Revolution) marches, observing sit-ins at capital city of Islamabad. Although Tahirul Qadri has ended his sit-in at Islamabad, yet he has decided to observe two-day sit-ins in various cities of the country. Besides, both PAT and PTI have been conducting larger processions in various cities. Thus, demonstrations and protests have been prolonged and extended, because, the government of PML (N) led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could not grab the initiative to settle the issue through result-oriented dialogue.
Now, the political uncertainty in the country presents an ugly scenario in which twin protesting parties have maintained a firm stance rigidly demanding resignation of the prime minister, audit of the rigged elections, reformation of Election Commission etc. Both Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadri are not against the democracy, but are against the corrupt system of democracy, being practised in Pakistan. They have said in their various speeches that and PPP and PML (N) are taking their turn, and under the cover of democracy, their leaders have been doing business through tax-evasion and corruption.
No doubt, favorite system of governance in the Western countries is democracy. By using their legitimate right of vote, people participate in political process, and elect their own representatives to govern them. Thus, they give mandate by authorizing the elected members to hold public offices and make legitimate decisions to run the affairs of state. And, the elected representatives remain accountable for their actions, while, the system of electoral democracy also empowers the voters to take away the powers of the elected members, if they fall short of popular aspirations—good governance and so on.
In case of Pakistan’s version of democracy, it has the same system of representatives according to the constitution, but the elected representatives grossly violate the public mandate for obtaining their selfish and materialistic gains. These representatives, virtually shatter all hopes of voters by neglecting their social problems, financial difficulties and psychological distress. Promises made during election campaign are quickly forgotten, while perks of public offices are fully enjoyed. Irony of the fate is that same elite group gets elected over and over again and election campaigns are held as rituals. Unfortunately, voters, become trading pawns in the hands of politicians who regard elections as windows of business opening to plunder national wealth through all possible means of corruption whose result is poor governance.
Most of the elected representatives in National Assembly and Senate hardly make any worthwhile contribution, as they remain absent during active sessions of the parliament. Therefore, sessions of the lower and upper houses are adjourned due to lack of quorum, and the process of essentially required legislation remains blank and weary. Resultantly, the voters’ aspirations turn into hopeless ordeal, dejection and despondency.
It is notable that various malpractices such as horse-trading, nepotism, bribery, illegal obligations and other forms of corruption are very common among our politicians. In fact, the elite group of elected members uses powers of their public offices to advance their personal interests including engagement in politics of THANA and KUTCHERY (Police and Court), earnestly seeking allotment of development and discretion funds and timely steps of sycophancy to please the top party leaders. Thus, they promote their personal interests, and show total callousness towards torment of their voters.
Undoubtedly, in Pakistan, corruption is a significant obstacle for good governance, supremacy of law, and rational use of authority to run the affairs of state and to maintain public cohesion and national harmony. Regrettably, corrupt practices and misuse of public office lead to general frustration, opening windows of protest with sense of dissent, disapproval and conflict against the governing authority. The environment of agitation and demonstrations carry seeds of large scale disturbances, creating law and order situation, social disorder and political chaos, culminating in poor governance.
It is our misfortune that rampant corruption in the country has infected the entire edifice of national institutions. Political leadership is busy in power grabbing process, while the poor suffer under hard environment where healthy food, clean drinking water, respectable shelter, justice, education and health care facilities are almost non-existent.
In this regard, the ordeal of poor in Pakistan can well be anticipated by prevailing unemployment, poor living and health conditions, price hike, social injustice, contempt for merit, promoting cronyism, and poor law and order situation.
Regrettably, the concerned ministers remain busy in settling scores against their political rivals, using floor of parliament and media channels. Most of their time is spent on preparing fierce speeches to level fresh tirades of accusations and counter allegations.
The poor voters remain bewildered as protesting groups, PAT and PTI, pointed out corruption of subsequent rulers of the PPP and the present ones of the PML (N). While, ruling elite and their associates in opposition benches of the parliament have termed the protests as unlawful, unconstitutional and undemocratic.
Besides, political leaders enraged outbursts, filled with allegations and counter accusations. Some of them, especially of the PPP and PML (N) have shamefully tried their best to drag the Armed Forces into political turmoil. They have brazenly accused Pak Army and country’s prime intelligence agency, ISI (without any evidence) for orchestrating the prevailing political impasse which was created by the politicians themselves. In their fierce speeches, while, indirectly criticizing Army, leaders of PML (N) and some other parliamentarians said that they would oppose any move which could derail democracy in the country by rejecting the unconstitutional demands of PTI and PAT including resignation of the Prime Minister Nawaz and the dissolution of the National Assembly.
On the other side, on September 12, 2014, DG of ISPR Maj-Gen. Asim Bajwa once again elaborated, “Pakistan Army supports democracy and constitution, and does not think it necessary to respond to rumors.” He added, “The army chief in his address on Youm-i-Shuhuda (Martyrs’ Day) clearly said that the army believes in continuation and democracy.”
Some media analysts and political leaders have tended to show their loyalties to top political leadership by mentioning about the possibility of military take over. Such elements have an agenda to spoil civil-military relations—to create division between the Armed Forces, distorting their image in the eyes of general masses. But all these observations proved untrue, as Army did not take any step like military take over or martial law.
It is notable that in 2011, during the Memogate case, some political entities and media commentators were saying that martial law will be imposed in the country. The then Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani stated, “The Pakistan Army has and will continue to support democratic process in the country.” As Army was acting upon the principle of non-interference in political affairs, therefore, the previous government completed its tenure.
It is noteworthy that for the last few months, Pakistan’s Armed Forces are successfully obtaining their objectives in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) through military operation Zarb-e-Azb against the terrorists who had challenged the writ of the state, and had frightened the entire nation by their terror-acts. The Armed Forces also engaged in rescue-operations in the flood-affected areas. Besides, Pak Army has also been coping with subversive activities in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and other parts of the country including tribal areas in wake of India’s war-like diplomacy and cross-border infiltration from Afghanistan’s side.
However, these parliamentarians and leaders have disregarded the commitment and sacrifices, being offered by the Armed Forces in the operation Zarb-e-Azb and flood relief operation.
In fact, under the cover of democracy, some politicians of the government and the opposition parties are diverting the attention of the general masses from those articles of the constitution, which are mentioned in the ‘Principles of Policy.’ These articles clearly mention that people would provide with justice, gap between the rich and the poor would be reduced, and poverty would be eradicated in the country. However, our politicians and the subsequent governments of the industrialists and feudlords failed in delivering good governance to the people in accordance with the constitution. They have only deceived the public mandate in the pretext of democracy which has been named as a ‘corrupt democracy’ in Pakistan.
Nevertheless, rampant corruption in Pakistan is posing a very serious threat to the state as well the true democracy. It has become a significant obstacle towards development, and adversely impacting the good governance and rule of law, culminating in poor governance. Now, the right hour has come that the political leadership must conduct introspective analysis of their style of governance, and must develop a desire to fight the menace of corruption through accountability and transparency. The aim should be to put the house in order.
Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations
Email: [email protected]
Posted by admin in Col.Riaz Jafri (Retd) Column, Jammers, OPINION:OP-ED on October 29th, 2014
LETTER TO EDITOR
October 29th, 2014
Jammers in the Assembly
Agha Siraj Durrani – the Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, according to a news report, has ordered installation of mobile jammers in the Assembly Hall as the cell phones of the august members of the assembly keep ringing thus distracting the proceedings of the assembly. Strange, and to me such an expenditure on the jammers would be totally unwarranted and a sheer waste of the public money. For, I don’t think our honourable MPAs are that uncouth and uncivilized not to know that the cell phones are ought to be kept on ‘silent’ mode during the indoor gatherings, assemblies, lectures, prayers and similar other occasions. Why waste money? And, if at all someone doesn’t abide by such a civilized code of conduct what are the Sergeants at Arms provided to the assemblies for?
Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)
30 Westridge 1
Rawalpindi 46000
Pakistan
E.mail: [email protected]
Posted by admin in 4TH GENERATION US WAR AGAINST PAKISTAN, BACKSTABBERS, CHRISTIAN TERRORISM, CIA SUBVERSION IN PAKISTAN, Colonial History, Commentary, Destroyers of E.Pakistan, Diabolical Secularization Plan to Destroy Deen in Islamic world, Domestic Policy, Global Issues, ISLAMOPHOBIA, Muslim Akhuwat, Muslim Haters, Pakistan Fights Terrorism, Pakistan's Ruling Elite Feudals Industrialists, Politics on October 4th, 2014
According to James Petra (1999), professor of Sociology at Binghamton University New York,
NGOs are not “non-governmental” organizations as they receive funds from abroad, work as private
sub-contractors to local governments and/or are subsidized by corporate funded private foundations
that keep close working relations with the state. Frequently NGOs openly collaborate with
governmental agencies at home or overseas. These NGOs, accountable to local people but to overseas
donors who “review” and “oversee” NGO’s performance according to their own criteria and interests as
is the recent case in Ukraine and Turkey. What is NGO in reality? How do they operate and function?
What is the purpose of its existence? How do they control and how effective they are?
A noble concept started in the 19th century, recognized by UN in 1950s appears to have grown
out of control. These self-appointed organizations are answerable to no constituency. Unelected, unselected,
ignorant of local sensitivities and cultural realities, an NGO often confront democratically
chosen authorities as well as those who voted them into office. Some even go as far as against the local
judiciary and national arm forces of the country – institutions responsible for national integrity. NGOs
such as International Crisis Group have openly interfered on behalf of the non-state characters in
Macedonia while advising open confrontation in Pakistan and Egypt. Such encroachment on state
sovereignty allows NGOs to get involved from local issues to domestic affairs and into foreign affairs of
the host country. They serve as self-appointed witnesses, judges, jury and executioner all rolled into
one. Recent behavior of the GEO TV, Jang and DAWN newspapers of media house in Pakistan is a classic
example.
Recent chaos in Pakistani society can be associated with the sudden surge of NGOs involvement
in Pakistani regional and provincial politics, especially from Britain and Scandinavian countries that
speaks to the negative effects on areas of education within the country. Over the last decade after 9/11, 2
NGOs in Pakistan have “fragmented the local education system, undermined local control of education,
and contributed to increased social inequality and division in society. Most NGOs operating in Pakistan
functions as a state agency within the state under the protection of their represented government
embassies. After denying for years, in the education sector both TCF – The Citizen Foundation and HDF
have proudly acknowledged on their web-site, collaboration with British government to teach and
promote English as language in a country that is suffering with 20 hours of load shedding daily – as if
English is the panacea of all problems in Pakistan. Most of these NGOs with an uncoordinated agenda,
create parallel projects undermining local education system, and takes away the governments’ ability to
maintain control over their own education sector. Readers must note here that from China, to
Indonesia and Malaysia to Germany, Poland and Russia – all have made remarkable progress in
educating their masses in their national language. Pakistan is the only country that delivers its
education in a foreign language.
Regardless of their cause or modus operandi, all NGOs are top-heavy with entrenched and well
paid, drawing perks and benefits of elite status bureaucracies (Ask NGOs for audited reports and that what
percentage is spent on their administration). The bulk of the income of most non-governmental organizations,
comes from – foreign governments and foundations associated with some western think tanks. In fact,
many NGOs serve as official contractors for foreign governments as did the Black Water during the
massive earthquake in northern Pakistan. A construction company using Black Water trained agents
provided help to US agencies in mapping the terrain in Kashmir while acting as charity organization
collaborating with Pakistani diaspora in USA. NGOs normally serve as long arms of their sponsoring
states – gathering intelligence, burnishing their image, and promoting their interest. There is a revolving
door between the staff of NGOs and government bureaucracies the world over making it difficult to
track the organizers.
Today there are millions of NGOs registered around the world, specifically in poor countries
under the auspices of charity organizations, policy institutions or disguised as think tanks, educators, or
even under the cover of UNO, IMF, World Bank and so on. According to Dr. Sam Vaknin in his book
Magnificent Self Love – “in critical and politically sensitive regions of the world, multiple NGOs are
receiving over 3-5 billion US dollars in funding from international financial institutions, Euro-US-Japanese
governmental agencies and local governments for various projects, from women empowerment to teach
English.” In Pakistan, eighty-seven percent of the NGOs are involved in the education sector subsidized
and supported by numerous foreign governments, specifically Scandinavian and British governments.
Most of these NGOs are assaulting Pakistan’s ideology and cultural base, challenging independence and 3
integrity of the country and its Islamic values in the name of enlightened progress and education.
Current tussle between People and GEO media house in Pakistan started when Inter-Services
Intelligence Chief General Zaheerul Islam told British ambassador bluntly not to try changing the
Pakistan ideology. British delegation was meeting the general on how to help Pakistan when they
boasted funding to GEO.
In fact he NGOs world-wide have become the latest vehicle for upward mobility (also emphasized
in O level curriculum of Pakistan) for the ambitious and already entrenched and well to do elite classes.
They are busy bodies, preachers, critics, do-gooders, and professional altruists, self-appointed, and not
answerable to any constituency. These NGOs are the parasites who feed off natural and man-made
disasters, mismanagement of the government, corruption, conflict, and strife (as in Pakistan and
exclusively in Muslim countries) all supported and directed by their sponsors to impose their agenda.
These NGO’s are the silent WMDs – Weapon of Mass Disruption – launched through social media at
will for the sole purpose of disrupting harmony in the society by increasing chaos and creating mass
hysteria about every little negative happening. Such is the case of GEO, JUNG and DAWN media houses
in Pakistan. Irony is that they are under the regulation of PEMRA a government monitoring and
regulatory authority confirming the influence of such NGOs over local governments. This influence and
strength are drawn through foreign funds via respective embassies. Mass protest in Turkey and Ukraine
as shown and promoted on western media is another classical example of the effectiveness of these
WMD attacks. NGOs wherever they exist also appear to have contradictory roles in local politics of the
host country. On one hand they criticize dictatorships and human rights violations. While on the other
hand they compete with radical socio-political and religious groups, attempting to hi-jack popular
movements; such as ‘Arab spring’ in Egypt with downfall of President Morsi, reforms in Turkey, clothing
workers in Bangladesh and other movements in the Middle East. NGOs normally flourish during three
situations either in real or through manipulated events.
First as a safe haven for dissident intellectuals pursuing the issue of human rights violations and
organizing “survival strategies” for victims. These humanitarian NGOs however, are careful not to
denounce the role of foreign entities and embassies involve with the local perpetrators of human rights
violations and political vengeance such as hanging of opposition leaders in Bangladesh and events in
Ukraine. Nevertheless the same NGOs are very vocal in other cases such as the case of Dr. Shakeel Afridi
in Pakistan guilty of espionage according to the law.
Second, the funding of the NGOs can be considered as kind of buying insurance by foreign
governments so in case the incumbent reactionaries falter. Such as the case in Egypt where US 4
sponsored NGOs activated social WMD creating artificial shortage of bread, water and petroleum – basic
needs of a common citizen – controlled by the Egyptian army but blaming the government of President
Morsi an elected representative. This was also the case with the “critical” NGOs that appeared during
the Marcos regime in the Philippines, the Pinochet regime in Chile, the Park dictatorship in Korea, and
most recently in Turkey against Tayyap Erdogan.
The third circumstance in which number of NGOs emerges and multiplies is during economic
crises provoked by free-market capitalism under the dictate of IMF and World Banks such as in Pakistan
where the situation is going to get worse in coming months along with the power crisis. It is interesting
to note here that in a country where 12-18 hours of load shedding is normal, where the industry shuts
down because of lack of electricity causing unemployment and poverty, Britain and other western
countries are more concerned with teaching English to the masses instead of assisting the government
with power generation locally.
In financial or economic hardships and during natural disasters, when the local industry comes
to a halt due to lack of capitalor energy, the jobs disappear and purchasing power of the common man
decline. In that case, as happening currently in South Asia, second job becomes a necessity. Who would
be the second job holder? Of course the wife, and the daughter, or the mother within the family to
mitigate family financial hardships disturbing the traditional family structure. Not so surprisingly these
NGOs suddenly than also become job placement agencies and consultancy disguising as a safety net for
the middle class. This safety net is further extended to potentially downwardly mobile intellectuals who
are willing to carry on the collaborative policies of NGOs, their sponsors, and agenda of other
international institutions as influencers in the society as Dr. Shakeel Afridi, who collaborated with CIA in
alleged killing of Osama Bin Laden in Pakistan or the most-recent incidence of attack on a journalist in
Pakistan. The middle-class society that used to not have much but also no one used to starve within
either, suddenly faces disruption of the families, the foundation of social fabric and harmony of the
society (WMD effects). Similarly during the on-going “war on terror “(man-made disaster) millions are
displaced in the north- west frontier of Pakistan losing their jobs. As the population displacement
spreads poverty to important swaths of the population, the very same NGOs becomes protagonist
engaging in preventative actions focusing on “survival strategies.” These NGOs while organizing soup
kitchens do not encourage mass demonstrations against food hoarders, corrupt regimes or western
policies that are the cause of all the disruption and damage to their society as it is happening in Khyber
Pakthun Khawa province of Pakistan or in Egypt.5
Majority of NGOs are proponents of Western values – women’s lib, Gay and Lesbian rights,
freedom of press and media, equality, etc. etc. Not every society finds this liberal menu palatable. The
arrival of NGOs often provokes social polarization and cultural clashes. Traditionalists in Bangladesh and
India, nationalists in Macedonia, religious zealots in Israel, Pakistan and Afghanistan clash with the
security forces everywhere. The British government spent well over 30 million dollars annually into
“Proshika,” a Bangladeshi NGO. It started as a women’s education outfit and ended up as restive and
aggressive women political lobby group with budget to rival many ministries in this impoverished
Muslim and patriarchal country. The British foreign office finances a host of NGOs – including the
fiercely ‘independent’ Global Witness – in troubled spots such as Angola and other African countries.
Most NGOs in place like Sudan, Somalia, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and in Africa have become the preferred
venue for Western aid – both humanitarian and financial. According to Red Cross more money goes
through NGOs than through World Bank. Their iron grip on food, medicine, education and unlimited
funds in case of Pakistan rendered them an alternative government imposing their values and ideologies
on poor masses. Even local businessmen, politicians, journalists and media houses (“Aman ki Asha”
operated by Jung newspaper and GEO TV in Pakistan) form NGOs to plug into Western largesse. In the
process, they award themselves with commercial advertising contracts, perks, and preferred access to
Western goods and credits.
Therefore the author appeal to the readers to think twice before putting hand in their pocket
and thinking that they are helping the poor of the world. One must think about the after effects of
NGOs – establishing schools or clinics – the effects of such projects with respect to social norm,
culture, religion and heritage of the country. One must ask the motivation and incentive that his
education assistance so generously provided to the nation. Every citizen must question the teaching and
promoting English over national language, it’s after effects on individual and society.
Having said that the author acknowledge that all fingers are not equal and so the same does not
applies to NGO’s such as Green Peace and Oxfam, and many others though politically motivated some
time. However one must be cautious and careful when asked to donate for education, human rights and
to alleviate poverty in the third world. In last 60 years so much money has been given by gracious
people that if spent wisely and for the sole purpose of which it was collected, we would have erased
illiteracy and poverty from this face of earth.
Finally, let me redefine NGO’s in the modified words of Jessica Mathews of Foreign Affairs
magazine (1997) – NGO are special interest groups that are designed and used as
extensions of the normal foreign policy instrument of certain Western countries and
groups of countries. Unselected, unelected self- appointed altruists, with no constituency
and accountability, answerable to no-one, financed and controlled by foreign entities
with specific agenda. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated very correctly at the 43rd Munich
Conference on Security Policy in 2007, that these NGOs “are formally independent but they are
purposefully financed and therefore under control.” So all NGOs must be registered as Foreign Agents,
in the country of their operation.
_____________________________________________
Posted by admin in Commentary, Nawaz "Badami Lassi Kim Barker Thurke" Sharif, Nawaz Sharif & Kashmiri Biradari, Nawaz Sharif Dangerous Man, NAWAZ SHARIF DICTATOR, NAWAZ SHARIF FAMILY TURPITUDE, NAWAZ SHARIF LOAN SCAM, Nawaz Sharif Massive Corruption, NAWAZ SHARIF MUZZLES PRESS, NAWAZ SHARIF SAGA OF ABSOLUTE & CHRONIC CORRUPTION, Nawaz Sharif-The Prime Minister from Hell, NAWAZ SHARIF: THE LOOTER, Nawaz US Agent on April 24th, 2014
After unveiling of the real face and intentions of our government clearly spelled out in the press conference of the government information minister it is now crystal clear what all is going on and where they stand. They are bent upon to diminish and disgrace the very state institutions which can save us from falling apart and integrity of the state at this juncture. It really saddens me and should sadden every Pakistani to hear this.
Long Live Pakistan. May all its enemies be doomed and punished.COMMENT
Totally agree with Naeem Abbas. A, JK-Leghari-type action is needed immediately.
The President must act, no holds barred. That is the only way we can save Pakistan from this third rate motley of so-called corrupt, unpatriotic, traitorous leaders after winning the elections fraudulently.
The present scenario is not only about the Army and ISI, it is about the country, Pakistan.
These chicken-hearted crowd of goons are bent upon breaking this country. The sooner they are packed up, the better.
© 2024, All Rights Reserved by Pakistan Think Tank.
Soldiers as politicians : A Debate – Abdul Quayyum Khan Kundi
Posted by admin in Commentary, OPINION:OP-ED on October 12th, 2014
A DEBATE
ON
Soldiers as politicians
Abdul Quayyum Khan Kundi
“Salam,
Military involvement in politics is a sensitive subject in Pakistan. I have dared to share my two cents on the subject. Please do share your feedback and comments.
Every few years there is a wave of writings and opinions that the country is in trouble and one of the solution is the introduction of a technocratic government that can fix things through a magic wand. As soon as PPP started its tenure there was talk of the need for it which gained pace during the memogate scandal and later during the first long march of Dr. Tahir UL Qadri. Once again, there are writings from ex-servicemen and former bureaucrats that a technocrat government should be installed to introduce far reaching reforms. There is only one way this kind of arrangement can come to fruition, which is through the support of the military establishment since there is no such provision in the constitution. Political scientists term it as a soft coup or in other words a military rule in the disguise of a civilian garb. This raises a fundamental question whether soldiers are better politicians than civilians because only then they can embark on such political enterprise.
When we look at the history of our military rulers there are few things that stand out. First is that to gain legitimacy and appeal to the masses they had to embark on political experiments that failed in most cases. Field Marshal Ayub Khan introduced basic democrats and a new constitution in 1963. Both these experiments could not survive and died with the demise of its sponsor. General Zia UL Haq introduced a non-Party Majlis e Shura, which could only survive for one term and had to be reverted back to the party based parliament. General Musharraf assumed the role of a more civil sounding Chief Executive rather than Chief Martial Law Administrator. He instituted a National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) that recommended a reform agenda which was never implemented. General Musharraf had to ultimately create a kings party PML Q to have political and constitutional legitimacy.
Most political scientists call war as another form of politics. Most wars fought by the country were during the reign of military rulers. Our two major wars of 1965 and 1970 were during the tenure of Field Marshal Ayub Khan and General Yahya respectively. General Zia decided to make Pakistan a front line state to warm the cold war between US and Russia when the latter occupied Afghanistan. General Musharraf said yes to Secretary of State Collin Powel when he called him soon after 911 to once again make Pakistan a front line state, but this time to support a war on terror against the Taliban regime. This should not be surprising because a soldier is more expert in using weapons than pen or diplomacy to tackle a foreign policy issue.
Another important thing to consider is the performance of military as a professional force when Generals are actively engaged in politics which is not their forte by training. In 1970 we lost an Eastern wing of the country, regardless whether it was inevitable or not, as well as over 90000 POWs. Our engagement in Afghan war in 1980s resulted in infiltration of extremism, terrorism and drugs in the country which severely affected the security of the state. General Musharraf’s eight year reign weakened the professional focus of the army which resulted in weakening of both internal and external security of the state. We saw terrorist attacks on GHQ, Mehran Base, the US operation in Abbottabad to kill OBL, terrorists attempt to capture a navy frigate and drone infiltration inside our borders. This could not have happened if military remained focused on its primary professional function of securing the state. The success of recent military success in operation Zarb e Azb against militants can be termed as refocus by Generals on military professionalism and avoiding political adventurism.
Soldiering and politics are different lines of activities requiring a totally different set of skills. A politician has to be flexible, tireless negotiator, compromiser and fluid in his position because of a volatile public opinion. Soldiers on the other hand, are rigid, work in defining hierarchy and highly disciplined in carrying out orders regardless if they disagree with their superiors. Whenever a soldier tries to become a politician while wearing a uniform, it is difficult for him to balance these divergent needs to maintain his composure and posture. It is probably for this reason the military institution gets frustrated in their political role after a coup and want to return back to soldiering.
In all nations military establishment play a significant role in defining the parameters of national security policy through close collaboration with the civilian government. Ignoring this input is not in the national interest and no one can deny this. But soldiers involving themselves in politics, directly or indirectly, also creates risks to national security and that cannot be denied as well. Each has to work within their constitutional boundaries and develop a relationship of mutual respect. In times of crisis the relationship can feel the stress, even in highly developed countries. In the USA, military established has publicly agitated against President Obama’s policy to rely on air strikes to deal with ISIS in Iraq. The military feels boots on the ground will be necessary while civilian administration is hesitant to commit to it.
Here I am not implying that politicians have discharged their duty of serving the nation to the best of their ability. But rather that politics has to be allowed to evolve so that nation is able to weed out good from bad performing politicians. It takes time for a stable political order to emerge after a cycle of two or three successful completion of the terms and holding of fair and free elections so that a nation can choose capable leaders. Introduction of electronic and social media has greatly improved people’s ability to judge the performance of incumbent political parties and parliament. They are eager to throw out non-performing parliamentarians and give change to others. In 2013 elections PPP suffered heavy losses at the polls because they did not perform well in their tenure. Similar fate may befall PML N as their governance has not been up to par so far and governance has been weak.
The solution is not a technocrat government, which some call Bangladesh model, but the introduction of electoral reforms to ensure free & fair elections; creditable opposition to the sitting government to ensure balanced policy; elections for local government and institutionalization of political parties. Military as a leadership development institute produce good talent. These retired Generals should participate in politics by joining political parties. They can help political parties to become institutions through their organizational and training skills.
Nation building requires contributions from all stakeholders within the parameters of the constitution. Impatience by any stakeholder could create instability, uncertainty and weakening of institutions and must be avoided.
COMMENTS
From: Saeed Malik
There is a fundamental flaw in Kundi Sahib’s main argument i.e evolution will bring about improvement in the way our democracy functions, if this functioning is left alone to work out its wrinkles and warts etc. If this were true, each new elections should have brought forth better governance. But our experience is that quite the opposite is true. Each new elections saw a deterioration in governance.
This theory about governance/democracy improving if allowed to have a free run, harkens back to Adam Smith’s theory of free market capitalism i.e keep the markets free of regulation and this will ensure fair prices and the survival of the best and the fittest in the market, because the inefficient will be rooted out of the system. But this does not happen in practice because sooner or later the most efficient tend to club together, create a monopoly, and dictate prices, while ensuring no one else breaks into their charmed circle.
This is exactly what has happened in our politics as well. The two most corrupt and the most powerful political organizations in the country have clubbed together to form a monopoly which can now barely be challenged. Thus the most vital check and balance, which is the very soul of a democratic system has been undermined to create a monopoly of power, which can only destroy governance, increase the loot of national wealth, and assure immunity to the perpetrators.
When the people of the country hanker for the army to step in, it is never so because the army is more popular; it is because the army is the only check against the depradations of the politicians, and the people believe that no matter how bad army rule shall be, it surely can be no worse than the misrule of the politicians. Unfortunately for us, however, these hopes very early become dashed dreams, and the army disappoints them no less.
Be that as it may, but the argument that left alone to function without interference, our democracy will improve, has been no more than a mere truism in our experience. – SAEED MALIK
======================================================================================================================
NAEEM
Mr. Kundi certainly is a different genre of a politician, in as so far that, he is an educated one; as compared to the hordes of Gullu Butts-esque politicos. His narrative is thought-provoking but conventional in its import.
Before I comment on the author’s views; I would like to stipulate the following for the perusal of all;
a)Pakistan has been in perpetual crises – of our own making; it is only that a new dimension of the crises state is highlighted, after a few years.
b)Military rule is no panacea for our problems. It has always ended in regressing us in an even worse situation; then with the one we started with.
c)All the politicians since the last 60 years have been synthetic politicians; having being conceived in the military nurseries.
d)All four military coups have been inspired by personal/ military corporate interests/ambitions.
e)All our existential problems are the outcome of power-politics/ power plays by different factions/ institutions of the state.
f)The above jockeying for power started even before the partition/ independence.
a technocrat government should be installed to introduce far reaching reforms. There is only one way this kind of arrangement can come to fruition, which is through the support of the military establishment since there is no such provision in the constitution.
Of course there is no such provision of a technocratic government in the constitution; but there is also no provision in the constitution for mega-corruption; dynastic rule; loot and plunder of national resources; keeping the masses perpetually mired in abject poverty and illiteracy.
There is also no provision in the constitution for hijacking the people’s vote; buying judiciary, media and ECP to acquire a fake mandate. There is also no provision in the constitution; that despite the constitution criminals and thugs could be elected to the parliament.
Constitution also does not sanction killing scores of unarmed citizens to stop them from protesting. Neither does constitution allows that the progeny of a MNA of the ruling party, gang-rape an innocent young girl and go scot free.
The constitution also does not permit the perpetuation of the anachronistic, rapacious, exploitative and parasitical feudal system.
Mr. Kundi, the saga of 18th and the 19th Amendments and the marathon joint parliamentary session running for 18 days, did not spare a single second for the problems of the people. It is now well neigh impossible to make any change in the constitution to ameliorate the lot of the people; to provide justice or good governance; because the thugs sitting in the parliament would never allow it.
So Mr. Kundi, what should the people do? Anyway let me tell you what they do: they let powerful criminals rape them; they let the ruling idiots kill them through their killer police squads; they sell their kids, since they cannot buy a roti worth Rs. 10; and they sell their blood to pay the inflated electric bills.
Now Mr. Kundi, would you not like a rational being agree that such a non-constitutional constitution (which provides no relief to the masses); is not worth the paper it is written on? Call me an anarchist; but please take a pragmatic view, instead of an academic one.
Still, let us talk academics/ theory for a moment: technocratic governments can deliver; because their members will not be making their decisions contingent on the next elections or political imperatives. Their decisions will be based on merit, pure economic factors and pragmatism, unencumbered by the need to appease different elites. Since no/ minimal politics will be involved, governance and delivery; the Achilles heel of political governments, will be easy to deliver. Judiciary, independent of political influence shall be able to mete out justice.
The military could provide a secure ambience for such a government to function.
But I understand that as a politician, you would be wary of such a government; despite your intellect and education.
Ok, let us now view the practical dimension of a technocratic government:
Most of the Politburo members in China are engineers (6th Generation); 5th Generation were economists. Malaysian cabinet under Mathair had 70% PhDs; mostly engineers and economists. And both set of governments delivered, and delivered with a bang; despite the fact that Malaysia unlike China was a conventional polity.
Therefore, there is no need to be scared of technocrats.
The conflagration of anarchy on the periphery of our immediate geographic region instigated by the US and implemented through the barbarians of ISIS on one hand and the religious retrogressive Wahabi Saudi regime on the other hand; does not accord us much time to put our affairs/ home in order, in quick order.
A technocratic government supported by the military; as opposed to Martial Law could provide a quick and a pragmatic solution to our malaise.
This raises a fundamental question whether soldiers are better politicians than civilians because only then they can embark on such political enterprise.
Soldiers cannot be politicians, better or otherwise. But the current crop of criminals masquerading as politicians could be even trumped by the soldiers. But I am not by any means advocating solders stepping in the dirty arena of politics.
You are absolutely right that all political engineering by the military failed.
Clausewitz said: “war is continuation of policy by other means”; in the case of our coup-making generals, it was politics by other means.
You are right in a slightly different way: the 65 war was used by ZAB to gain political leverage over Ayub – reflect on the perfidy of ZAB and lack of professional acumen of Ayub.
Similarly, events were perpetuated to cause a civil war in Pakistan to gain power by Bhutto.
But in both the above cases, I hold Ayub and Yahya, primarily responsible for being at the helm of affairs.
Again it is correct that Zia and Musharraf used the Afghan Wars to gain international legitimacy for their respective coups.
a soldier is more expert in using weapons than pen or diplomacy to tackle a foreign policy issue.
The above state is incorrect, and a lot of historical examples belie its provenance.
Sahibzada Yakub Khan, De Gaulle, Eisenhower and Powell come to mind.
Empirical evidence supports the facts that an army loses it professional edge, once it dabbles in non-professional pursuits like politics.
I do not agree with Mr. Kundi that any change can materialize through this system; neither could any reforms be possible. I have dilated my views on this aspect in a separate, recent post.
And since no reforms are possible, the only alternative to anarchy or martial law is a technocratic government by honest, patriotic individuals sans political ambitions. Army stays in its barracks after installing such a government………NAEEM
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Honorable Gentlemen,
Mr. Abdul Qayyum Khan Kundi is a special kind of politician who speaks his mind without any fear and favor. Some of our PTI guys find hard to adjust to his critique. Today, he circulated an excellent note on the sensitive issue of “Soldiers as Politicians” that I thought was worth to be brought to your notice for your kind feedback.
My view is very similar to a valuable saying of Charles R. Swindoll: “The past is over..forget it. The future holds hope…reach for it.”
In that spirit, with due permission from Kundi Sahib, I am forwarding his note for your comments.
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DEBATE, SOLDIERS AS POLITICIANS
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