NYT: "Ooh, Pretty Vesty..."
The rumor mill is churning again.
For weeks, media outlets have hinted that Pakistan’s military, which historically views itself as the “savior” of the country (I prefer “meddling mother-in-law”), has been “weighing options” for an indirect intervention in Pakistan’s political sphere, as reported by last week’s Friday Times. According to Reuters Now or Never,
Rumors of change in the government were set into motion last month after a coalition partner of Zardari and self-exiled head of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Altaf Hussain, called on “patriotic generals” to take revolutionary steps against corrupt politicians. Nawaz Sharif, former prime minister and main opposition leader [PML-N], strongly opposed Hussain’s suggestion but recently said a “change” could be brought out through constitutional means if the present government did not rectify its wrongdoings.
On Tuesday, the NY Times’ Jane Perlez reported that the Pakistani military is “pushing for a shake-up” of the current government and, “in the longer term, even the removal of President Asif Ali Zardari and his top lieutenants.” The army cannot feasibly take direct control of the country, what with operations against militants and ongoing flood relief efforts, but that doesn’t mean they still wouldn’t be in support of an indirect “reshuffling” of the current regime.
Zardari, PM Gilani and COAS Kayani reportedly met to discuss this issue on Monday. Following the meeting, the president’s office released a statement that the government will complete it’s full five-year term. The Express Tribune quoted the statement as saying, “We will continue our forward march and complete the term no matter what the machinations against us.” According to the NYT,
Having secured an exceptional three-year extension in his post from Mr. Zardari in July, General Kayani appears determined to see to it that the government prevents the economy from entering a tailspin, which would further weaken the health of the nation and also the value of the military’s own vast landholdings and other business enterprises.
If this is true, and it’s in Kayani’s interest to not see the economy spiral increasingly downwards, then keeping the stability of the government in check is also key in this scenario, particularly since economic and political stability are intrinsically linked. But a statement from the president’s office rejoicing the sanctity of the “democratic process” will not be enough in achieving said stability, particularly since people are justifiably angry and dissatisfied with the current regime. This anger is further exacerbated by corruption allegations and a perceived mishandling of the flood disaster, all further propelled by rumors and conspiracy theories.
Former President Musharraf is also leveraging this anger to push for his own return to politics. [A political opportunist! Maybe he was a better politician than we thought.] On Wednesday, in a public interview with a former British ambassador to the U.S., Christopher Meyer, Musharraf stated, “The situation in Pakistan can only be resolved when the military has some role. Pakistan’s army chief ought to be involved in some form, to ensure checks and balances, to ensure good governance. [Just like you did?] We must involve the military men. They should have a place to voice their concerns. [Maybe they can try your Facebook discussion thread! OMGZ.]“
I didn’t start this post as a rant. But, I’m tired, and frankly, I’m pissed off – with the corruption, with the fact that the rich doesn’t pay their bloody taxes, with the fact that we’re left to beg for scraps from the rest of the world, with leaders who previously plundered the country coming back to have another go again. And while I’m as critical and caustic about the current civilian regime as anyone else, I also don’t think the answer is a military takeover/reshuffle/sudoku that will create more instability and put us back at square one in the political process. I think we need to stop discussing military takeovers as casually as we would talk about the weather. I think we need to stop thinking about the military as the blanket “good guy” every time they’re not in power. I think we need to think through all our options before jumping to conclusions. I think we need to stop feeding the rumor mill. And I think we need to stop being so self-destructive. Because at this rate, we will not survive.
As an addendum, if the “reshuffling” that occurs is something occurs among the bureaucratic ranks to appease the military, that is something else entirely and am opening to debate:
http://tribune.com.pk/story/56562/reshuffle-in-top-bureaucracy/
Also good topics of discussion: The extrajudicial killing by the military in Swat: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/30/world/asia/30pstan.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss
And the attack of journalist Umar Cheema by assailants he said were the ISI: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/29/opinion/29wed4.html
“Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, Punjab Chief Minister Shabaz Sharif, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa Chief Minister Amir Haider Hoti, Awami National Party chief Asfandyar Wali Khan, Jamiat Ulema Islam – Fazal chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Interior Minister Rehman Malik are some of those who did not pay a single penny in income tax in the period between 2004 and 2007.”
http://tribune.com.pk/story/53555/politicians-amongst-top-tax-dodgers/
ANGRY KALSOOM.
[...] by last week’s Friday Times. According to Reuters Now or […] Read more at: CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan asif ali zardari, coalition partner, coas, corrupt politicians, flood relief efforts, former [...]
“Every country owns an army but in Pakistan army owns the country.” Has Musharraf not heard this? This interview of his is enough reason never to vote for him—that is if he ever even gets that far.
The army has a role–which is to provide security to a country UNDER CIVILIAN RULE. I would also argue that this is also the army’s constitutional role. The army is not supposed to govern or provide checks and balances. It is supposed to follow the orders of the civilian leaders. It is also not supposed to be political in a democratic system. It’s apoliticalness (that’s right, I made up a word because I can) is actually key to a democratic system because in a way that ensures that coups/political instability do not take place.
Pakistan is certainly at its worst point in history with the largest natural disaster on its hands. Instead of trying to “shuffle” power, the government and the army need to work together to provide some hope for the political future of Pakistan and to assist the thousands of fresh IDPs in the country. I can understand, and even appreciate, Kayani’s alleged concern for the economy but he needs to stay out of it for the sake of stability. And Pakistanis need to lay off the conspiracy theories and start paying taxes (income, property, sales, you name it!)
I am so frustrated with everyone who is calling for the return of Musharraf – hellloo! How do we so easily forget the last two years of his regime? Musharraf’s government completely lost the plot, blocking media outlets, firing chief justices, the NRO, etc.
If he legitimately gets voted in, then I hope he does well. But this idea of talking about a military coup and also announcing his return to politics further emphasizes this crisis of identity he has as a leader – is he a politician or a military man and can those identities be reconciled?
So am I! Pakistanis have a such a short term memory. When we have the military in power, we long for democratic rule. When we have civilians in power, we long for the military.
I have no issue with Musharraf reentering. The more the merrier–Pakistanis do need more political choices. But I don’t think that he will get elected. The Pakistanis who like him mostly live abroad and were not subjected to most of his time in office anyway. I was only there from 1999-2002 and even then he was no good but things weren’t as bad as his later years. Let’s wait and see.
Pakistan is stuck in a Vicious cycle it cannot come out of or is very very very tough.
I am pretty sure Military takeover is inevitable in Pakistan, but the question is when is it going to happen. Tomorrow(Very unlikely), Next year(No), next decade(probably), withing 2 decades(Surely).
Why is it inevitable? I have hope that it is in fact not an inevitable fact. I am no fan of Zardari but if he manages to complete his 5-year term, he will be the only president to have done so in Pakistan. And I really hope he does it. The army’s job is not to rule a country! It is to protect it–by staging a coup it will be doing the opposite.
@Sahar,
I am observing the pattern here. The pattern suggests that things would be the same this time.
But, things are the same as before. There is an elected government ,I agree. But, it is not in control of Foreign Policy or Defence. Considering Pakistan’s history this is the most important factors to be considered when predicting about Pakistan. So, in effect, Pakistani military is still supreme.
I hope there will be full Civilian control in Pakistan. If there wont be a coup, its just because the Army chief can rule from behind the scenes.
Pakistan badly needs a Rahul Gandhi type of leader right now. Someone who has mass appeal and inspires hope. And, most importantly who can stand up to the Military without fearing for his life or his job.
I agree with you in that Pakistan needs someone inspiring. And maybe one day we will. For now, I don’t see anyone who even comes close.
The current civilian government is not in control of its foreign policy but if the goal is that one day it will be, then a coup is most certainly not a desired outcome now. Change requires time. The best policy is to make sure that Zardari completes his term so when there elections, the public can hold him accountable by voting him out.
Also, history is certainly necessary to learn from. But it does not mean that will or should be repeated. IF Kayani genuinely cares for the political and economic stability of the country, he will stay out of the Prime Minister/President Houses.
I agree. This government has to complete its term. As Kamran Shafi suggests if this government wont complete its term then the next one never will.
I mean coming from India I cant even imagine Army Chief asking the PM and President to fight corruption and fix the economy. The gall of the guy. After all these years of economic and political mismanagement the Military is blaming the Civilians!
This arrogance from Military personnel has to decrease. NOW! They need to own up for their mistakes.
My friend used to say you should always be careful with someone who speaks less and is an introvert. You just cant tell what he is thinking. Kayani is one such guy. With Musharaf you could usually tell what he was thinking(Not always,though). Kayani is different. The three year extension given was a bad bad idea.
Lets hope the next PM of Pakistan is a much much better guy than the guys who are are at the helm now.
Completely agreed with Kalsoom. Pakistani people should not think twice about other option rather than a so called democratic government. In past all of the “good generals” have failed not only in pakistan but anywhere of the world. Pakistani generals are the responsible for todays crisis. Starting from Ayub khan to Mushi,The country men never had a good governence since the independent of pakistan. In Bangladesh we have also corrupt government and politician but none of the politician has dire to call for “patritic generals”to take the power and penalize the corrupted politician. It is high time for politician, general people and the army to be united and solving the countries problem one after another as neither politician nor army can solve hundreds of problem alone.
Maybe if the Army decide to suck the teet of the country financially a bit less, we’d be able to invest our infrastructure just that little bit more.
But hey-ho, India’s planning a large scale assault so we need monies for that. Allegedly.
I like the picture
I am all for Musharraf returning to Power! Now before you pounce on me and lynch me, hear me out. The country needs to exorcise the notion that Musharraf is some knight in shining armor who will come in and save us all. He had a chance, and he sold us out – whether it was our citizens to the US or whether it was ushering in another PPP government through the NRO. So let him come, screw up and hopefully forever be banished to never never land.
And while we’re on this dangerous path lets give Imran Khan a couple of years too. So HE can realize he is just as inept as the rest of the politicians and his utopian followers too realize it.
But what after that DM? What will we do after that? Democracy, military dictatorship, what what what?? Sab mein sochoon ga kya? Go do what I said and consult me in 5 years or so………
-Aly
http://discomaulvi.wordpress.com/
http://www.twitter.com/DiscoMaulvi
I think you might want to begin discussing dissolution terms with India, Afghanistan and Iran. The Jinnahist experiment seems to have failed.
Dissolution terms? Could you elaborate a bit more? Thanks!
I think there’s some merit in the argument (agreeing with Mush there), that army should have a role in the government. In the US, the president is the commander in chief. That gives the elected leader the substantive backing of an actual tangible power, and it removes all uncertainty around who calls the shots. The COAS and the executive roles should be merged and be represented by a president elected by the people. That of course doesn’t preclude the possibility of a second in command to take over in a coup. But right now, it appears that the chain of authority within the Pakistan military stops at the COAS, even though the COAS is accountable to the the PM.