Amidst grief and gloom because of assassination of Benazir Bhutto, and atmosphere of uncertainty prevailing in the country regarding future of the people of Pakistan, two very significant events occurred during the past few days, which can be termed as a silver line in dark clouds. One is putting wreath on the grave of Benazir Bhutto from Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, while the other is the chief’s address to military commanders in which he spoke out his mind. Both the events, however, were down played by the media, perhaps on the instructions of some quarters. A brief news item of the general’s address to commanders, which usually becomes lead story in newspapers, was published on back page or inner pages of, at least, English newspapers.
Putting wreath on the grave of a popular leader by the army personnel, though in the darkness of night and in civilian clothes, was a good gesture particularly when federal or provincial caretaker governments did not deem it fit to put flowers on her grave despite declaring a three-day mourning.
While addressing the 105th Corps Commanders Conference for the first time after taking charge of the army in November last, General Kayani emphasized, “Ultimately, it is the will of the people and their support that is decisive.” This is something we are not familiar of hearing from a general’s mouth, at least, in Pakistan. We always heard from the Napoleons of Pakistan that it is the army, which is the solution to all problems, and it is the army, which is guarantee for the unity, stability and security of the country. Contrary to the rhetoric used by his predecessors, he said, “Our country can thwart and defeat all kinds of threats through a comprehensive national effort, in which all segments of society play their rightful role. It is the harmonisation of socio-political, administrative and military strategies that will bring an environment of peace and stability in the long term.”
The general spoke out his mind in the commanders’ conference. He admitted the role and importance of other segments of society, including social and political, and expressed the desire of a comprehensive national effort, and not solely that of the army, to thwart the threats. Apparently, his maiden address to the senior military commanders gave the message that the military would have to withdraw and create space for the other segments of society to play their role.
The chief of army staff is certainly aware of the geo-strategic and geo-political developments and their repercussions for Pakistan, and particularly for the army. Fortunately, and again contrary to his predecessors, he has no personal scores to settle with anyone. He has the opportunity to morphosize the army, make it purely professional and keep it away from the politics.
In the wake of the changed geo-strategic and geo-political scenarios, armies in many countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America sought to cut their losses through exit from the politics and created environment for democratization of their states and societies. The gradual withdrawal of US support for General Augusto Pinochet helped democratisation in Chile because there were already strong pro-democracy forces on the ground. The soldiers in many countries preferred to return to barracks as the armies faced a growing strain for compromising their professional functions because of their engagement in politics.
Unfortunately, the Pakistan military is known as the one, which has been unable to abandon the habit of subverting, elected governments. It has set democracy back by not allowing civilian groups to resolve political crises. It is now not only the political crisis being faced by the country, but its very existence is at the stake. The assassination of Ms Bhutto has deepened the political turmoil. The army is engaged fighting its own people in two provinces of the country and the situation seems still out of its control. We are also receiving threats of foreign militaristic intervention to wipe out terrorists from Pakistan.
On the other hand, socio-political groups struggling for democracy and rule of the law in the country are gaining strength. The middle class is less dependent on the state, and the state’s justification for authoritarianism has become weaker. Democratisation is being helped by external support and pressures and by a freer flow of information. In this scenario, it is the time that the Pakistan Army should respond to the geo-strategic and socio-political developments and start beating a retreat and creating space for socio-political groups. The chief of the army staff has very rightly and timely sounded the senior military commanders that ultimately the people’s will is decisive, and the people’s will must prevail.