We have become accustomed to the interference of the military in political affairs, with its authority, its unconstitutional role, and sanctions. On the other hand, the Elite club also can not digest the neutral role of the apolitical institution- the military. Is this a matter of convenience?
Political stakeholders have always wished for establishment at their back, a recent example would be ousted prime minister Imran khan's statement " Animals are neutral and Islam doesn't allow us to remain neutral" and Prime Minister Shahbaz desired the security of his regime's survival from the military establishment.
As long as, the military supports them in the constitutional and unconstitutional subjects, in that case, their involvement is embraced by the political elite.
Recently, the DG ISI in an explosive unprecedented presser promised to remain "apolitical" and accused former PM Imran khan of requesting unconstitutional blessings in the dark hours. It should be noted that the first time the head of Pakistan's spy agency has addressed the media directly in the country's history.
Responding to the accusations the chief stated that "We can be weak, we can make mistakes, but we can never be a traitor or conspirator". He further accused the media to be used as a spin doctor to build a false narrative against the military.
Later in response to the question about the extension of COAS, he said the offer was made because the no-confidence motion was at its peak," General Bajwa rejected the offer because he wanted to move forward from a controversial role to the Constitutional role. In the presser, the institution highlighted many contradictions and lies of the former ousted prime minister Imran Khan and his party.
The pages of history:
If we dig into the past, Pakistan is stuck in the downward spiral of the military establishment. Pakistan military imposed four martial and several Quasi coups, engineered elections, and dharnas (protests).
General Ayub Khan appointed the late ZAB as his foreign minister, and Bhutto rebelled and formed his political party, he later welcomed Gen Yahya's 1969 takeover.
On July 05 1977 General Zia Ul Haq toppled the elected Government, executed Bhutto in 1979, and ruled the country for consecutive 11 years. During the period (1988-99), leaders of each party, PML (N), and PPP ruled this country twice.
This was the era of intervention and invitation by two mainstream parties against each other. Neither of them completed their five-year tenure.
General Pervez Musharraf overturned Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government in October of 1999. PPP initially welcomed Musharraf's coup, considering that he would hold elections and transfer power to elected representatives.
In May 2006, PPP and PML-N leaders signed the Charter of Democracy (COD) in London, probably realizing their mistake of not respecting each other's mandates, but still, no prime minister to date has completed its 5 years tenure.
2013 general elections, In a statement khan, claimed the military helped Nawaz Sharif get the state premiership.
2018 general elections, Opponents accused the military brought Imran khan into power, labeled his government a "Hybrid regime” and elections were rigged by the military establishment. Mr. Khan, meanwhile, proudly declared he and the army were on "one page" after taking power.
Sharif's ouster through disqualification from an apex court, and Imran khan's removal through a vote of no confidence, both leaders, charged the military establishment for their removal.
Now we must choose.
The current narrative now engenders antagonistic sentiments against the institution, It does force us to face the fact of the most implacable hate, some do this feebly, some with great energy. Some do it with persuasive instruments of power, some with the crudest and weakest tools, from both banks of the river. This is the situation that is filling the country with people haunted by suspicions, fears, and hate. The civil-military institutions are in close bonds of interdependence, and the military with tremendous power over physical processes, outside the constitutional discipline. This is the problem that democracy must solve by some other route, unifying the stakeholders for grand political dialogue with sincere faith in democracy.
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