The Politics of Pakistan: Role of the Army: Present Scenario

  

The Politics of Pakistan, Role of the Army in Present Scenario

To comprehend the dynamics of politics in Pakistan are multiplex. The role of the army in Pakistan’s politics and governance has been there since day one. Even the military establishment of that time refused to accept the orders of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah about Kashmir. The military establishment has been deciding the future of politics and politicians in Pakistan. There has been a romance between people of Pakistan and its army due to conflict with India, dispute over Kashmir, and fighting against terrorism. The army has been playing a central and significant role in foreign policy, economic policy, security policy, and internal affairs. This has been an enigma of the politics of Pakistan. The present scenario of the role of the army in Pakistani politics is very important. In this blog, we will discuss the following topics:

1. Historical Background: The Roots of the Role of the Army in Politics.
2. Constitutional Framework and the Role of the Army
3. Civil-military Relationship: a Delicate Balance
4. Present Scenario

Historical Background: The Roots of the Role of the Army in Politics.

After the death of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, bureaucratic and military institutions started to influence politics. A bureaucrat, Ghualm Muhammad, was appointed as Governor General of Pakistan. During the coming 10 years, seven prime ministers were appointed, not selected by the people of Pakistan. In early 1958, Army Chief Ayub Khan was appointed as Minister for Defense. This was the first overt participation of the military chief in the politics of the country. In October 1958, the then Army Chief General Ayub Khan intervened and imposed martial law. Later on, he became president of the country. He ousted the politicians from the field of politics through a black law called "ABDO." He considered that politicians were incompetent and clumsy. In later years, the army took the reins of government three times more, assumed direct control, and the country swayed between civilian and military rule.

The military has directly governed the country for nearly half of its existence, under leaders like General Ayub Khan, General Yahya Khan, General Zia-ul-Haq, and General Pervez Musharraf. Even during periods of civilian rule, army establishment has been covertly controlling the governments and has played a vital role in making key policies like foreign policy, defense, and economic policies. Every time the army establishment told the nation that politicians were corrupt and a security risk. In this way, the military ruled the country directly and overtly for nearly half of its existence, under leaders like General Ayub Khan, General Yahya Khan, General Zia-ul-Haq, and General Pervez Musharraf. 

Constitutional Framework and role of Army

Till now, Pakistan has experienced three constitutions: 1956, 1962, and 1973. All the constitutions declared Pakistan a federation, with clear separation of powers between the executive, legislation, and judiciary. While the military was put under executive and civilian control. But ground reality remained different during the whole period. The military always entrenched its role in governance in one or the other way. The judiciary always acted as a puppet in this regard. It validated and legitimized the martial laws under the grab of “doctrine of necessity," which further weekend the democratic norms in the country.

The role of the Army was also strengthened by establishing the National Security Council (NSC) with memberships of top army personnel. One thing also to be remembered is that in 1975 the top intelligence agency ISI was given political role through a notification called “N-75” by the then Prime Minister, Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

The politicians also played a vital role in encouraging the military. The opposition political leaders have always requested the army chief to play his "role" to end the rule of the ruling party. Every time the opposition invited the army to topple the government and every time the government was overthrown, there would be celebrations. In the 90s, politicians were busy playing the musical chair of power with the help of the military. Politics became weaker, and the military's grip on power became stronger.

Civil-Military Relations: A Delicate Balance

Civil-military relations in Pakistan have always been strained. In particular, whenever Nawaz Sharif appointed an army chief, after some time the relationship between the two became strained. Especially his relationships with General Jahangir Karamat, General Pervez Musharraf, and General Qamar Javed Bajwa. They became very tense, for which he had to pay by being arrested twice. Prime Minister Imran Khan, who is widely believed to have been brought to power by the military establishment in 2018, had a strained relationship with the same military establishment. As a result of which he was removed from power after a no-confidence motion. Now it is clear that both the then Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and the ISI chief were behind the removal of Imran Khan from power. But unlike the past, the Pakistani nation refused to accept it.

It seems that the relations of political governments in Pakistan with the military establishment are very delicate. Whenever a political government does not work according to the interests of the army, they have to lose power. This has been the routine in Pakistan for the past 77 years. Foreign policy and economic policy have always been under the control of the military establishment, and the establishment is not ready to lose its control over them.

Present Scenario:

After the removal of Imran Khan from the office of Prime Minister, the role of establishment in politics has become very vivid. Like previous leaders, Imran Khan did not opt to remain silent. He began to speak openly and publically in public rallies about the role of army establishment in his removal with the aid of politicians. This was unprecedented in Pakistan. After that, Imran Khan had to face the consequences. About 200 criminal cases were registered against him. He was also convicted in four cases, including a shameless case of "Iddat."His wife, who is a totally apolitical housewife, was also convicted in two cases. In recent days, about 38 cases have been registered against her. Following steps were taken against Imran Khan:

1. He was arrested, and he has been in custody for the last 525 days or more.
2. He was declared disqualified to contest the elections.
3. He was convicted in politically motivated cases of corruption like the Cipher case, the Toshakhana case, and the Al-Qadir University case.
4. Censorship was imposed on the media to cover the activities of Imran Khan and his party. Even taking his name on media is banned till now.
5. His political party, PTI, is not allowed to protest for political rights.
6. Every possible effort was made to oust his part from the elections of 2024.
7. The election symbol of his party, “Cricket Bat,” was snatched unconstitutionally with the help of the Supreme Court.
8. His party members were stopped even to file their nomination papers for elections in 2024.
9. Election results were snatched from his party.
10. More than 10,000 workers of his party are detained in politically motivated criminal cases.
11. Even his party workers were convicted by Field Court martial, i.e., military courts.
12. 13 workers were killed by law-enforcing agencies on the 26th of November 2024 in Islamabad. 

All these steps were taken to victimize Imran Khan and his workers by the military-backed government. The role of deep state actors is very obvious.

Conclusion:

In short, since its inception, Pakistan has faced the unconstitutional role of Army establishment in politics. The politicians have also played a pivotal role in it. Time is needed to eliminate this role and bring the role of the army within the scope of the constitution. Moving forward, Pakistan has to redefine the civil-military relationship. This is essential to making Pakistan a real democratic state.