The Men on The Horse Back

Major General (R) Wasif Ali

The author is an old Ravian, did his LLM from the University of the Punjab. He served Pakistan Army as Major General. Mr. wasif is very well read faculty member of QLC and contributes in QLCian regularly and religiously. In his personality, a complete code of ethics for students can be observed.The Men on the Horse Back

The bugle for the retreat has been sounded for the men on the horse back to leave the political arena. The shrill of the bugle is audible to the far off posts. The message given by the collective wisdom of the people in the general election 2008 is unequivocally clear i.e. the Army must revert to its professional chores.After independence, the biggest shock that the country had to sustain was the death of two of its ablest leaders i.e. Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Liaqat Ali Khan. Thereafter, because of the inept political leadership, the country was plunged into an unprecedented political turmoil. It could not make even a constitution of its own for the first nine years. The political leaders, then, surfaced, suddenly found themselves confronted with the challenge of running the biggest Islamic state. For this they had neither the political acumen nor the requisite capability. The politicians and bureaucrats, for mundane benefits, flouted the parliamentary norms and indulged in partisan politics. The climax reached when the Governor General Ghulam Muhammad dissolved the first constituent Assembly. An unconstitutional act with far reaching adverse ramifications on the future course of our history.During all these years, the Armed Forces true to their British background and tradition kept themselves aloof from active politics. But there was a limit up to which they could sit back and watch the country drift from the worse political disorder to the worst national chaos. The politico-economic health of the country had gone so bad that some of the politicians had invited the Armed Forces to step in and take the country out of the chaos. The Armed Forces did not oblige but certainly an equation had been established between the top military hierarchy and higher political echelons of the country that manifested itself into the inclusion of the C-in-C of the Army into the cabinet as Defence Minister a practice never followed in parliamentary democracies. This also signalled militarys interest in domestic politics.The militarys increased interest in domestic politics coupled with the chaotic politico-economic conditions of the country paved the way for the Armed Forces to stage a bloodless coup in October 1958. this marked the end of the parliamentary democracy in Pakistan. The military take over came as a big relief to the commoner who saw in the Armed Forces an institution that could bring order out of disorder and prevailing chaos.The militarys take over in Pakistan in 1958 removed the political leaders and democratic institutions from the political scene. The military leadership introduced certain reforms and accelerated the pace of economic development. The military and civil bureaucracy formulated a new constitution and gave a presidential form of government devised to suit the genius of our people. The Armed Forces had since reverted to the barracks but in fact the new government derived all its power from their indirect support. The presence of senior military officers at significant civil posts was used as a symbolic manifestation of the Armed Forces continued loyalty and support to the president Ayub Khan. The authoritarian character of Ayub Khans regime and his unimaginative handling of the politico-economic situation had caused disenchantment among the people. The politicians who had not reconciled with Ayub Khans new constitution exploited the situation to their advantage____Mr. Bhutto being the major exponent of poor mans politics.Both the Eastern and the Western wings joined hands in the movement and by 1969 it had acquired massive proportions. Ayub Khans political sagacity to pacify the situation did not prove equal to the task and the man who took over the country because of the politicians machinations, after a decade, had to succumb himself..Armed Forces once again found themselves saddled with the responsibility of running the country, a job which they should have avoided.Armys subsequent two years rule was a disaster for Pakistan; it witnessed the break-up of the country. The Army found itself trapped in a situation of considerable disadvantage vis--vis partisan political pulls and forces. On, 7th December 1970, the stock of the Army stood sky high after the first free election held in the country on the basis of Universal Franchise under its supervision. However, the Army that had maintained strict neutrality strayed off the straight, when it came to handing over of power to the majority leader. This led to unfortunate happening i.e. the separation of East Pakistan out of the Federation. The dismemberment of Pakistan lowered the stature of the military as a nation building force in Pakistan. The new civilian leadership under Mr. Bhutto that emerged on the political horizon of Pakistan found the conditions conductive to assert civilian supremacy over the military. To that end they took a number of measures to ensure that military should never venture to interfere in the political life of the country. This however was not to be.In 1977, in the first general elections held after the dismemberment of the country the PPP government was accused of rigging. The opposition in order to show their resentment took to the streets. The situation by July 1977 had become so explosive that the country was on the brink of a civil war. Most of the prominent politicians were supplicating the Army, to take the country out of this malady.Despite the traumatic experience of 1971 military debacle, the Army and civil oligarchy failed to learn that the collective wisdom of the people can only be defied at the cost of rendering the country asunder. The Army again intervened in 1977 on the pretext of massive rigging of the election and the resultant in-fighting of our politicians. The country was again plunged into the un-charted political waters for perpetual tossing.

Gen. Zia-ul-Haq, who had promised to hold the elections within ninety days after the military take-over, would be remembered for the systematic annihilation of our civil institutions, The judiciary, bureaucracy, police and press all became the victim of his wrath at different times. They were made pliant through carrot and stick policy. Pakistans politico-economic landscape remained barren and desolate during his self imposed rule. The people at large and the intellectuals in particular remained gagged and suffocated. Many left the country and sought political asylum in Western countries. His sudden departure from the scene, due to a mid air destruction of his plane, however, did not create any political vacuum. For once it was felt that the army had understood the limitations within which it had to operate with the future civil governments. The subsequent alternating political bouts of our two main stream parties i.e. the Muslim League and the P.P.P in the corridors of powers and courts exposed their political immaturity and thoughtless intransigence.

The Kargil operation and its aftermath proved too much for a civil government, to handle. The strategy adopted for the sacking of the Chief of the Army staff for his BRAVADO in Kargil was too naive and comic: The Army top brass reacted passionately. Gen. Pervaiz Musharaf was catapulted to the political horizon through his bloodless counter coup. The military once again found itself riding the crest of the political waves. It entrenched itself into the body politic of the country with renewed zeal and determination. The counter coup staged by Gen. Pervaiz Musharaf was validated by the Supreme Court. The Court was more than generous when apart from validating his action under the Doctrine of Necessity it also bestowed upon him the power of amending the Constitution. Interestingly this was neither prayed for, nor could the Court delegate such a non-existent power. This legal paradox has yet to be resolved by our legal experts.The country was destined to remain under the Army for another eight years. The Chief of the Army staff had assumed the role of the President following the convention set by Gen Ayub Khan, Gen, Yahya Khan and Gen. Zia-ul-Haq.The repeated interventions of Armed Forces and the repeated debates on such interventions in the countrys courts of law had generated an other debate i.e. giving a constitutional right to the Armed Forces to intervene; should they find the politicians to be endangering the sovereignty of the country. Presently there is no country where Armed Forces have been assigned a constitutional role to intervene in political crisis. In Turkey where such a role has been accepted through usage and not through any constitutional provision, however, can be quoted to strengthen the argument. A thorough analysis of Turkish Armed Forces in countrys politics is indicative that such intervention and its acceptance by the Turkish nation is directly related to their environments and background of their Armed Forces which are completely different than ours. This intervention or threat of intervention, however, has not brought any political stability in Turkey. Turkish Armed Forces constitute a pressure group in national politics and in the long run this usage if allowed, is going to undermine the power of the people.The constitutional role of the Armed Forces cannot be fixed by the words of the constitution because it must find support from national thought and emotions. If that support is not forthcoming, because disagreements or uncertainties prevail, then there will always be a need of having final arbiters. Apart from the classic concept of democracy which gives only one option to the Armed Forces, to obey whatever government happens to be in power, there are various practical difficulties which must be kept in view. The most worrying one will be that politicians are sure to begin courting Generals. This would involve the forces into day to day controversies. In fact on each issue the senior officers might be on different sides. The Armys involvement in the day to day political controversies can cause multiple divisions in its ranks. That kind of situation conceivably can cause very dangerous consequences.

The Armed Forces intervene in politics when the people are unsympathetic towards the government, its objectives or conduct. This is so because political pressures are on the whole more telling in the long run than guns. When the Officers of the Armed Forces assume civilian power, they can disregard the civilian government, but they often discover that a part of their own members assume a role of civilian population and exert pressure within their own ranks. Military governments are therefore confronted with the same social pressures as any other government. Constitutions are sacred pieces of national heritage and are treated as such by all civilized nations. In United States of America before an amendment to the constitution can be validly passed, it has to be approved by two-third majority of both houses of the Congress. This has to be further ratified by the three-fourth states of the union. In Switzerland and Austria, the entire nation goes for referendum in case any amendment to constitution is envisaged. Similarly, without a specified majority in Belgium and without special sitting of legislature in France, the respective constitutions cannot be amended. The written constitution is rigid as it draws its legitimacy from collective willingness of the entire nation. Any thought of associating our Armed Forces in any manner with the running of the country would find no supporters. Regardless of the fact that the great bulk of the Armed Forces remain fully engaged in their professional chores in their units and establishments, they cannot remain oblivious of the day to day practical politics, sensing and guessing the hour, warranting their intervention.The professional image of our Armed Forces after their unfortunate involvement in politics, culminating into the dismemberment of Pakistan and events in Siachin and Kargil, is tarnished. Public memory is not so short to accept a military hegemony in this country. The circumstances in which the Martial law and Emergences emanate are too well known to be repeated here. Professional image of our Armed Forces has already suffered enough and there is a dire need for this image to be rehabilitated. Let the people know and see more of their professional preparedness in some form. Perhaps a large scale military exercise with troops extensively projected through media to let the people see the Armed Forces in their real and true colour, may help.Repeated exposure of Armed Forces to politics has already done enough harm to the country. The unenviable position in which the men in uniform find themselves today is not necessarily of their own choosing. But while they are seriously disassociating themselves from the civil administration their higher commanders must ensure that they never get involved in such situations again. They should never underestimate the responsiveness of their people. Given the chance they will reciprocate with political sagacity and collective wisdom. It is the collective will that must predominate in democratic environments. For democratic traditions to get firmly established in a country like Pakistan, divergence of opinion, non-conformist attitude of political parties and partisan politics are a foregone conclusion.Gen. Pervaiz Musharafs era is in the focus of history. After the recent general elections there are ominous similarities between the years 1971 and 2008. The decline of Ayubs authority appeared in the matter of Agartala conspiracy case when a trump up charge against Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rehman, the Awami League leader, was withdrawn in 1969. The propaganda for the economic prosperity and other good work done in Ayub Khans eventful years was out rightly rejected by the people. The man in the street was complaining about the non-availability of the essential commodities.The decline of Gen. Pervaiz Musharafs authority appeared when the corruption charges against Benazir and her husband was withdrawn through the issuance of NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance). All the propaganda of his turn around of the economy during his eventful era has been rejected by the people at large.The man in the street is complaining of the non-availability of the essential commodities. One should avoid some of the other similarities that are too obvious and too painful, to narrate. The die has been cast. The bugle for retreat has been sounded.The people of Pakistan have spoken through their ballot.

They are not for any politician party but against the hegemonic and archaic system.How the new man on the horse back Gen. Pervaiz Kayani, would like to be remembered in history?

The choice is his;

Political parties are on their old game again. People of Pakistan are watching