A transition to deliverance

A lot has changed in these last few days, a lot is in the process of changing now, and a lot will continue to change in the foreseeable future. This is happening because the kind of balance that some evil-minded people in positions of power were trying to generate was untenable. It had to crumble. It is only hoped that the current transition to a new thinking, a new balance remains relatively peaceful.

It is also a reality that a lot from the old order must give way. But those who had invested big time in raising that edifice will not sit back and watch their investment go to waste. They will resist the move with all the wherewithal they have at their disposal encompassing a vast variety of Machiavellian tricks assisted by mounds of pelf that would be circulated among those who retain relevance in playing a diabolical role. For any change to be permanent, it is vital that these elements are dealt with effectively and their elimination ensured from recultivating the old sickness that was born out of a desire for promoting individual interests in preference to the interests of the state.

In his farewell public appearance, the outgoing military chief himself conceded the continued military intervention in the affairs of the state over the last 75 years. This intervention breached all constitutional, legal and moral limits during the tenure of Imran Khan as the prime minister. People with dubious backgrounds were promoted to take over key appointments in the government while those with relatively credible credentials were hassled and hounded. Policy statements delivered by the prime minister were negated at public platforms, the most notable incident being the Islamabad Security Dialogue where the (then) COAS, in his address, promoted a narrative that ran counter to what the (then) prime minister had presented only a day earlier. Misleading information was repeatedly fed to the government to create doubts and misgivings about people and events. This was a perpetual phenomenon that rattled the foundations of the government. Its reasons became clear only when a new criminal fabrication was conceived and planted in power as a sequel to executing a sinister foreign-dictated conspiracy which was duly executed by local collaborators.

Notwithstanding a host of unpleasant things having happened in the short history of the country, there is really nothing that could match the events of the last eight months when the entire edifice of the state was turned upside down. This was not done for accruing any good to the country, but for bringing profit to individuals lording over the national fate from positions of power. Showing scant respect for the constitution and dismantling the entire moral edifice that is integral to the sustenance of the state and the society, they first conspired with foreign dictation in dismantling a democratic government and then went on to replace it with a concoction comprising a bunch of established crooks, convicts, criminals and run-aways from the courts of law. Even the worst of the mafias that the world has known were far better than this criminal fabrication that was hoisted to tarnish the national credentials.

Where do we go from here? In the aftermath of the experience of the past seven decades, more particularly what has transpired in the last one year starting with the initiation of implementing the foreign conspiracy to the planting of a criminal government to the unmasking of draconian and fascist tactics in dealing with all kinds of opposition, can we still look upon the military as a constituent in managing the government affairs? I don’t think there would be any ambiguity that such a manner of partnership is both unconstitutional and untenable and the state has suffered its harrowing consequences in the past. The new charter that needs to be drafted and implemented to take the country forward has a role for the military exclusively in areas as demarcated in the constitution. Beyond that is the domain of the elected government to manage the affairs and to present its case before the people of the country after ending its constitutional tenure.

While the army’s role may need to be redefined clearly in many respects which may also be incorporated in the constitution, there are certain practices which should be strictly banished immediately, the grant of extension to the incumbent chiefs being one of them. This has brought immense damage to the institution and has frustrated the chances of many deserving officers to take over the command of the military which would have benefited the institution in terms of improving its professional competence, ability and preparedness. This is a disservice done to officers who dedicate more than three decades of their professional life looking for the apex honour of leading the institution they have served with deep-set ability and commitment. Pakistan is rendered poorer through the practice of this travesty. It needs to be buried preferably by enacting appropriate legislation and building that into the constitution.

Like I said earlier a lot has happened in the last few days, but a lot more remains to happen yet. It is the direction and substance of these changes which need to be managed keeping the experience spread over the past seventy-five years in mind. One should not fall for the tried and tested in the hope that the results this time around may be any different. Similar constituents when fed breed similar results. There is no possibility of them being any different. They will not be. If these have brought harm to the country in the past, they will do so again this time over. The need, therefore, is not to repeat the mistakes.

Keeping the harrowing experience of the past one year before us, clear lines should be drawn separating the role of the elected government and that of various state institutions, including the military. They are constituents of the government and subservient to it in their functioning. No transgression should be tolerated, and none should escape due punishment.

This is the time. Lessons learnt should be put to practice for the good of the country.

The writer is a political and security strategist and the founder of the Regional Peace Institute