Criticising the Army
AN interesting debate is going on in the media about the unprecedented criticism aimed at the army’s high command in recent months.
Concern has been expressed by certain sections of the media about such criticism weakening the Pakistan army and being detrimental to the interests of Pakistan.
This viewpoint is flawed and assumes that criticism aimed at the military high command is based on malicious intent.
In fact, much of the criticism in recent months and years against the army’s high command has emerged from the same concern which has been presented by those who are displeased with this criticism that the policies pursued by the army high command is weakening the institution of the army itself.
Such criticism is aimed at protecting the army’s institution rather than weakening it. As long as criticism is directed against policies and results from a genuine concern amongst the people, such criticism is healthy and constructive.
An understanding of the operational functioning of the army makes it only natural that such criticism would be aimed at the military high command as they are the one who exercise authority over the armed forces. To argue for prohibiting such criticism may actually result in weakening the institution of the army and is against the concept of accountability.
MOEZ MOBEEN
Islamabad
What we need is a proper screening process at the time of hiring a candidate for any position in the armed forces. A candidate who has any aspirations of getting involved into politics while serving as a soldier or after retirement should not at all be recruited in the force. Period.
Where in the world military dictates the foriegn policies of a country having a democratically elected government?
Every where in the world but kept secret for best result. Date: Sat, 24 Nov 2012 07:27:59 +0000 To: makkah2010@live.ca
I wonder what this writer is trying to say. The Army is not an organization like the PWD, WAPDA or Police wherein criticism / mockery of the higher management is ignored by or has no effect on the rank and file. From General to Sepoy its personal contact all the way or is that too difficult to comprehend. Reat assured what is going on today in this field is a planned exercise with a definite sinister motive that the nation will soon see.
I agree with the following opinion of Mr. Moez Mobeen:
“Such criticism is aimed at protecting the army’s institution rather than weakening it. As long as criticism is directed against policies and results from a genuine concern amongst the people, such
criticism is healthy and constructive”.
Keep it up!
I don’t see us getting out of this hole we have guided ourselves into. While the army assumes itself to be only the patriots in Pakistan, destablizing institutions and inculcating hatred among people for achieving their means has been a modus operandi for them. i sincerely hope Allah revives this country out of the hell we have thrown it into. Otherwise it looks like pitch dark ahead.
If army can’t face constructive criticism of their own people how can they face bullets of enemy. They live in fools paradise if they feels they can’t do no wrong. Army should be under civilian government no matter how bad they are.
I think healthy criticism is no problem. However rediculing and criticism to the extent of subversion is an issue. And only and only criticism is also suspecious because they are an institution doing something better than many. They are scrificing lives and they are from the same soil. You can praise Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, and Bilawal, why can’t you pad your army. Pakistan Army Zinda bad
Yes you are 100% correct. Unbriddled, unaccountable exercise of power leads to ABSOLUTE POWER CORRUPTING ABSOLUTELY. First the institution has to prove itself – its past ‘achievements’ need much to be desired for. Wonderful to see Turkey’s and Egypt’s civil society develop the guts to challenge army control and are now safely transiting to civil supremacy.
We need a small army according to our own size that can be commanded by a colonel. It is ridiculous to have a K2 size army to fight Himalaya. A question, what would this huge army achieve in the next 10 years or 20 years for Pakistan? (Think about it!)
“Race and country don’t matter a damn. You can’t judge by the group. There are many men worse than me, and some better. What’s important is justice…
Equality? I’m fighting for the right to prove I’m a better man than many of them. There is only one aristocracy – the mind.”
(Kevin Conway as Sergeant Kilraine in the film Gettysburg)
Cut the army size to half and spend the money to educate each and every one in Pakistan. We have been spending lots of money on army and it all got wasted, we are no where. Instead spend the money for education and for providing the health care services.
sami my brother your idea is very thought provoking ……. with enemies sitting all along our borders and knowing fully well that world is in eager to break your country in pieces still your are saying that army is to be reduced. Brother let me assure you that your money has not been wasted, our army has proven and justified it by shedding their blood in order to safe guard us and our beloved country.
Then show us some way to do so, in the face of multiple war fronts being faced each day by the forces…
Educate the generals by hanging Musharraf.
plz reconcile. nobody learned from Bhutto.
how would you want that to be carried out. Plus there is not a single person in Pakistan who has the guts to stand upto the army. Since the demise of Z.A bhutto, the only leader who equally loathes army’s marauding into the political hemisphere, Javed Hashmi has been beaten and nullified by false promises from the parties he joins. and Zardari’s party of politics has had a killed off the once VIbrant PPP.
Yes ! You are right Z.A. Bhutto was the only genius, who wanted to get rid of this Army by creating another parallel force “Federal Security Force”, out of the retired officers and soldiers of this Army. He also wanted to somehow get an Atom Bomb, just to scare Indians, thus finish off the conventional Pakistan Army required for the defense of the country. Your friends have already attempted to seek American assistance for flourishing of ‘Democracy’ through ‘Memo Gate’, but the whole show was again spoiled by a general. Now you may invite Indians to help you in getting rid of Pakistan Army.