Times change, people change but acrimony in some relationships seems to last forever. A similar case is true for the turbulent relationship between the civil and military relationship in Pakistan. The civil-military relations, which seemed to have been normalized to promote greater democratic interests in the country, are out in the open again. This time differences between the two forces are a result of indictment of Pakistan’s former army chief and President Gen. Musharraf on treason charges. If proven guilty on the five counts of treason over suspension of the constitution and imposition of emergency rule in 2007, he may face the death penalty.
In a recent outburst against Musharraf, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif accused him of being a traitor and betraying his oath as a soldier. Although the government has tried to explain its position over these remarks, it has come under fire for damaging troop morale and sanctity of the military institution. In a rare, strong-worded statement Pakistan’s current army chief, Gen. Raheel Sharif, expressed annoyance with the criticism of country’s armed forces.
Opposition parties have also urged the government to take action against political leaders who make statements against the army and judiciary. Sources close to the government circles believe that army has sent a strong message that such verbal skirmishes will not augar well for smooth civil-military relations. Even the country’s Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has acknowledged existence of some irritants in the relationship. sBesides the Musharraf case, the outcome of peace talks with Pakistani Taleban are also expected to reshape civil-military relationship in the coming days. While the army was reported to be prepared to launch a major offensive against the militants, the government extended an olive branch and brokered a cease-fire with them. With the peace talks not making significant progress and reports of violence still making the headlines, the army may now take the front seat in controlling Pakistan’s security situation. With the US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan looming ahead, the army is eager to block infiltration of militants from its north-western borders into the war-torn country. Any surge in Afghan violence will further dampen relations between the two neighbors and spark strong international rebuke.
Meanwhile, the public hopes that mercurial civil-military relationship will not divert the focus of government from national issues of chronic unemployment, weak economic growth, power shortages and fragile security situation.
