In Pakistan, an intense political conundrum

That Gen Sharif deserves an extension is virtually a unanimous demand throughout Pakistan, writes Shaukat Qadir.

Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif. (Sang Tan / AP)

In no other democratic country would the military commanders reprimand the government, however mildly – but it happens in Pakistan. That by no means implies that it is not a democracy. Merely that it is a different kind of democracy.

Days before the army chief left for his second visit to the US, the military commanders met and expressed their dissatisfaction with the government’s performance in implementing the National Action Plan, which the government drew up to synergise all elements of national power against terrorism.

The government’s response to the military was a terse reminder that the plan was a collective effort, in which all national organs were expected to play their part.

A day before the military leadership met, the army chief had met the prime minister to discuss progress on the same subject. After the meeting the government’s spokesperson issued a mildly worded criticism on the implementation of the plan, acknowledging that it needed to do more.

Obviously, this was not satisfactory for the military commanders who listed the areas where far more needed to be done: political integration of the Tribal Areas, rehabilitation of displaced personnel, and squeezing the terrorists’ finances were listed among the military concerns. All these lie well beyond the military’s remit. However, the reconstruction of territories reclaimed from militants is being undertaken by the military.

That the military in Pakistan has a political role is now an established fact. This role is not empowered by the constitution, but more by necessity. That the present government has ceded increasing political space to the military is also true. On the other hand, the current military leadership has made it clear that it has no intention of “taking over”.

But questions that arise in my mind relate to its timing. Why now? Does it have any­thing to do with the army chief’s visit to the US? In the two years that he has been the army chief, Gen Raheel Sharif has become a well-known individual and among his established credentials is the fact that whatever he does is well reasoned; not a coincidence.

Consequently, I conclude that the timing of this criticism could not be disconnected from his visit to the US. Nevertheless, for reasons that follow, I am convinced that his primary audience is domestic.

Since he took over, Gen Sharif has established his credentials as a no-nonsense soldier with a mission: to re-establish peace and security in Pakistan and the region and assist in ensuring its economic well-being.

To this end, apart from the war against terrorists, he has identified corruption as the root cause of all evil and is targeting it, and has espoused the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, CPEC, as the economic future.

The fact that his backing of the corridor was essential to satisfy China, speaks volumes for his international stature.

But it is his domestic stature which dominates: in brief he is viewed as Pakistan’s sole ray of hope.

It is my opinion that the prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, has realised that his own political future hinges on the general’s success and, therefore, is now a willing partner.

But, being less strong-willed, he frequently succumbs to “political compulsions” – and the general knows this.

Almost all other analysts are far more critical of the government than I.

I am of the view that Gen Sharif was determined to accomplish his mission in his three-year term in office. I think he has realised that, with less than a year left and the government failing to keep pace with him, it is not possible for him to do so.

It is this that drove him and his commanders to voice their concerns publicly.

That Gen Sharif deserves an extension is virtually a unanimous demand throughout Pakistan.

But that is the government’s decision and Gen Sharif, unlike his predecessor, never wanted or sought an extension.

He still does not want one and, therefore is increasingly concerned about the success of his mission.

Propitiously timed, the conference of military commanders provided him the opportunity to voice his concerns, primarily to the domestic audience and, incidentally, to the US as well.

The domestic and foreign media was speculating on the subjects likely to come up during his visit and he might have decided to add his share to the list.

My speculation on this is substantiated by the media reports, which indicate that he voiced the same concerns in the US.

Brig Shaukat Qadir is a retired Pakistani infantry officer