Is
General Raheel Sharif in control? Dr Shabir Choudhry 11 Aug. 14
In
May 2014, I wrote an article titled ‘Pakistan army is back in the driving seat’.
There were many who used foul language against me because I criticised holy
cows of Pakistan. Now, I ask, if General Raheel Sharif is in control of his
troops? I wrote in May 2104:
...‘Those who established Pakistan had strategic, political and imperialist
aims in the region; and in order to advance their agenda they needed a
religious state which could look after the interests of the West and
Capitalism. For that purpose they left in charge Brown Sahibs who were trained
and educated by the British to carry the burden; and no wonder the British
trained army, the British appointed feudal lords and the British trained
bureaucracy has always been at the helm of affairs in Pakistan’......This
troika always ensured that the interests of the West are appropriately looked
after; and that democracy does not get its roots in Pakistan. They also ensured
that people are not empowered and they always remain divided on religious,
ethnic and linguistic lines and remain subservient. Furthermore they ensured
that the ordinary people always remain at subsistence level where they are only
worried about their next meal.’
‘However,
army’s record against civilian governments of Pakistan is brilliant, as they
have successfully invaded their capital four times and directly ruled the
country for more than three decades. The remaining period in the life of the
country men in uniform dictated the terms by either sitting in the back seat,
or on the front seat.....He is trying to assert the civilian rule, which the
army cannot tolerate. He is working hard to provide Pakistan economic stability
and make peace with the Pakistani Taliban and insurgents of Balochistan. Also
he wants to have friendly relations with India and have mutual cooperation in
many areas including trade and commerce. He has also abandoned this policy of
previous governments to have a strategic depth in Afghanistan, and have a
government in Kabul which Pakistan approves or likes....The army started
asserting themselves some months ago; hence we see the turmoil in various walks
of life in Pakistan, including in media.....’ 1
The power of Nawaz Sharif
government has considerably weakened since I wrote the above article in May;
and his rivals seem to be dictating the terms now. Many are claiming that Nawaz
Sharif won’t be the Prime Minister for much longer. The next 10 days could be
very crucial; and will test the nerves of all those contesting for power.
Many experts claim that
the Pakistani army is very strong and discipline force; always loyal to the
Chief. I wonder if that is still true. To me the war in Pakistan is not only a
war for power. It has many dimensions. The army is trained and equipped to
fight against enemies of the country; especially enemies that are visible or
identified, for example, armed forces of neighbours or insurgency.
Threats to existence of
Pakistan are not from outside, as most Pakistanis claim and think. Real threat
is from inside the borders of Pakistani state. This threat also has more than
one dimension. Outside forces may join the brawl once the domestic fight spills
over and directly affect other countries.
In view of one Pakistani
defence analyst: ‘Pakistan is in the midst of
a new elite war for the control of state power. Competing political leaders and
parties are once again at each other’s throats in a bid to outmanoeuvre one
another..... If the ruling elite and the counter elite do not find some political
solution by stepping back from their maximalist demands, the possibility of
widespread violence cannot be ruled out. If the situation becomes very violent
and unmanageable, the political initiative will shift to the military that has
enough experience of deciding who will go home and who will be installed.’2
One dimension of the threat
or war people tend to ignore is the serious threat of religious sect or cult,
which has deeply torn apart the Pakistani society. In this divided society
people are divided on sectarian lines. People have strong loyalties to their
sects or Masleks; and they are willing to do anything on the orders of their
sect or cult leader.
Sad thing is that some
countries have chosen to make Pakistan a battleground for their rivalry and
sectarian war; and Pakistan has lost thousands of lives and property worth
billions of dollars in this cult war. This sect war or cult war has sadly
penetrated all sections of the Pakistani society; and it must be noted that men
in uniform, whether they belong to army, police or other Para military forces
are also part of this society.
By and large, Pakistani
people are traditional and religious. It must be remembered that men in uniform
are also human beings. Many of them belong to religious families; and they also
want to go to Heaven after death. In view of this it is impossible not to be
influenced by religious sects and other factors.
So it is difficult to say
who is loyal to whom? When it comes to crunch, who knows who will stand with
whom? It is clear that in guise of democratic rights, Imran Khan and Dr Tahir
Ul Qadri want to push Pakistan to civil war; and who will side with whom it is
difficult to say.
My fear is that this looming
civil war could divide the men in uniform with devastating consequences for
Pakistan and the entire region. It is too much to expect from these contestants
with big ego and misplaced loyalty to apply wisdom and control the situation;
however, I pray Almighty to help us.
1.
http://drshabirchoudhry.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/pakistan-army-back-in-driving-seat-dr.html
Writer is a political analyst, TV anchor and author
of many books and booklets. Also he is Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs.
1 comment:
Very good analysis Dr Shabir Choudhry. You have indicated a very genuine concern. At the time of the creation of Pakistani the society was dominated by the Brelvi sect. With the growing influence of Saudi Arabia after the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the Deobandi sect received funding from Saudi government to raise the Jehadi force. Consequently the Deobandi sect prospered and outgrew in number and strength. Today they are in the ruling majority and the are threatening the very existence of Pakistan. Tahitr ul Qadri, who is a Bralvi cleric is promoting the sectarian divide and trying to regain the power which was once enjoyed by his sect. So in future there will be stronger sectarian rivalry than before.
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