If you don’t mind my saying so …
Congratulations to all of us! At long last, we are being promoted from ‘bloody civilians’ to ‘idiots’. This unexpected decision to promote us, lesser mortals, came when the media intrepidly asked Lt General (R) Javaid Ashraf Qazi: “Sir, it is said that Pakistan Railways was robbed of billions of profit money during your golden tenure?” In fact, the problem does not lie with His Majesty (the General), the root cause of all this lies with the rationale that a class in this society put itself above any inquiry or accountability and that is why for the supreme “national interest” of the country, it is better for you and I, to just shut up.
As this promotion was not enough, another retired General who is also being questioned in the same case, Lt General (R) Saeed uz Zafar, spoke his mind out and ‘gifted’ the nation with advice to vote for Almas Begum (Almas Bobby), free of cost. If you haven’t heard about Almas Bobby before, let me enlighten you in this regard; she is a Pakistan’s most popular and active transvestite. This satirical remark about the democratic system came as an educative surprise because General Sahib showed the kind of wit which was previously only restricted to above average intelligent minds.
On another front, the generals who are being questioned in the NLC scam were reinstated and their uniforms returned for their court-martial proceedings. It is a new practice, the likes of which are hard to find anywhere other than in Pakistan, where when Generals are held accountable, they are rewarded with a uniform before the verdict. Unfortunately for politicians, their clothes are stripped off instead. Anyways, we should all try to put the past behind us as advised by the incumbent Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani. But sir, if the media is being offered the above mentioned loose deliveries; they are doomed for out-of-the-park sixes.
According to the same statement, the country is passing through a “defining moment”, as always. It seems that the army was the sole custodian and determiner of “national interest” in our country earlier; their already burdened shoulders are now being burdened more by the duty to mark “defining moments” whenever they arise. Although, it was also hinted by General Kiyani in the same statement that the army is ready to share the cake of “national interest” with other stakeholders, whether this hint materialises into action (or inaction, to be more precise) only time will tell.
It is commendable that General Kiyani admitted that his institution has committed mistakes in the past, but he additionally turned his guns to the active role of the judiciary in recent times. It seems that some recent judgments, the grilling of FC Balochistan and its attempt to question the questioners (read intelligence agencies) in the case of missing persons might have run a shock of concerns in the ranks which in turn pressurised the Army Chief to let a whiff of it out. Let us not forget that this leadership of the army, under the command of General Kiyani, has predominantly kept a distance from the juicy, inviting fruit of politics; if your mind is reasoning contrary to it and flashing examples, well, old habits die hard.
To the dismay of some quarters, General Kiyani’s statement is not a prologue of a clash between the judiciary and the army. It should be recognised instead as a complaint to the judiciary and the Pakistani media.
Pakistan is passing through a phase where every institution of the country is trying to redefine its powers, in a situation like this it is very much possible for institutions to be at conflict with each other. As far as General Kiyani’s complain regarding the role of the media, although not named directly, in prejudging persons (military or civilian) is concerned, it is a fundamental principle which should not be overlooked in endeavors to top the rating charts.
Like other institutions, the media is also going through a learning phase where it is inevitable to err. These falters should be considered simply as ‘mistakes’ and should not be termed as acts of treason or playing in the hands of foreign powers because the media is also a part of this country; let us adopt the policy of inclusion rather than exclusion. The Pakistani media and people are fully aware of the sacrifices of our armed forces and they pay it the highest tribute possible.
Let us all bring our combine efforts together and build Pakistan because this time we are beyond any doubt passing through a defining moment.
Ali Munir is a pen labourer associated with the media; however, he shies away from being called a writer.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Well written article
Take a good look at Turkey, when the civilian government and parliament are trustworthy the army can’t do nothing. It is because civilians are so bad at ruling here in Pakistan that the army had to act. The economy is always in better shape when military rules Pakistan instead of the jageerdar mafia.
It is not the army that corrupts, it is the politicians that are so greedy that they cannot even share a bit of the state wealth for the poor. May the legacy of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and his party turn to ash !
Mr Ali Munir! I think 1st u should join Army, know INs and OUTs of the Army then write an article on “The role of Army in National Interests”….
In “the national interest” our Army has to re-learn the painful lesson that it is a subordinate uniformed service subservient to civilians in the judiciary, civilians in the legislature and civilians in government.
not worth commenting. amateur writing
Let us all come out of our deep hibernation.
The civilians only go where they are told to go, not a millimeter further.
Ayub, Yahya, Zia and Mush were all guilty of high treason for usurping sitting civilian Governments through the barrel of a gun! Did anyone ever ask the Army to try these Generals for high treason and have them shot by a firing squad or hang their skeletons on constitution avenue? The British did just that 200 years ago!
We are a nation with no principles. Just a bunch of sheep who can be herded in any direction by any one with a long stick and a few dogs to keep us on track!
“Let us all bring our combine efforts together and build Pakistan because this time we are beyond any doubt passing through a defining moment”.
Well written A/Munir! It was a sheer pleasure to read your article. Two thumbs up!
Pakistani army and Pakistani intelligence agencies do seem to have helped Pakistan at all. Democracy takes time to mature and develop in spite of all its deficiencies. May be Pakistani values do not and can not endure the democratic practices- corrupt politicians or not. Why can the generals step in to democracy, contest elections and govern the country, if they cared for it. That is how it happens in other nations.
I have been deep admirer of Gen Kayani and I found him a very tolerant person ,man of principal very professional.
But I really wont support gesture he passed in his recent statement.The recent role of judiciary is exemplary and all institute should follow the verdict for their own betterment and remediation rather taking it personal.
If fighting with past can make our future better we should fight with it
no one is above law but first we have to decide our national interests and custodians of it. Because in my 36 years of life i have never seen civil govt doing its job in true letter and spirit rather they always robbed my country and that invited the Army. There is only one institution left in this country whom people see in difficult times but now with the help of foreign hands our own people are destroying the image of Pakistan Army. What i want in my country there should be rule of law and speedy justice for all but who will implement this?
Well i have one suggestion for all Pakistanis/ institutions to stop playing with my country Pakistan with the help of its enemies and do your job according to law and don’t cross your limits. Pakistan Army should not be discussed in media to please our enemies, remember its only Army who is saving our country over their lives——-think about it my brothers and sisters.
you are seriously day dreaming, tell me which country is ruled by Army, their role in to protect the borders and not to run the country. See the status of Pakistan having ruled by Army for more than 40 years and never allowed the civilian government to run the country properly.
The in a way responsible for the religious and sectarian violence in Pakistan.
In a way military is responsible for religious and sectarian violence in Pakistan
Nice notion expressed, something like similar are happening in Pakistan.
You indeed labour your pen. Will take a while to become a writer
It is wrong to write such disrespectful articles against the Army that has sacrifed so much for Pakistan.
and sacrificed so many.
and what about those innocent people who are sacrificed in Karachi and Quetta on daily basis???? when the situation will be out of control then our inept govt will call of military to take action and so many people will be sacrificed and then the political parties will cry..
And half the country, and on the way to lose another half.
Ali – Good article. The only feedback I have is that howcome there is a significant difference in tones for the first part of the article and the last part of the article (by the way, I found the latter part more relevant because of sober and logical analysis).
Sad to see Gen Kayani statement. The way Aslam Beg boasts about this statement he is giving an impression that Kayani has given this statement to protect Aslam Beg. Funny the way Generals are showing desperation. No one including judiciary media politicians public nor parliament has said anything wrong about brave soldiers everyone has been only pointing corruption of Generals. These Generals are dangerously involving soldiers to hide their own corruption. Kayani should keep honourable armed forces and corrupt generals separate and don’t try to confuse people. Will Gen Kayani also ask Allah no to do any accountability of Generals on day of judgement? Shame
@Ali , you have a good point… the corrupt generals must be separated…. however it seems to me selected accountability , same level of justice shall prevail for all.
when the sins for corrupt politicians can be wiped out by an NRO i believed during that NRO process they missed to include the generals name…
Brother Ali Munir I agree every bit with your article. However, this mentality is not limited to generals only dig deep a bit and you will find that all rank and file share his mentality and vision for the country and its people.