KARACHI: Many consider General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s speech on Wednesday to be historic, as he publicly acknowledged the army’s political role over the last 70 years. Pakistan has faced three direct military interventions at regular intervals, as well as ongoing indirect interference in the country’s politics and other affairs, which clearly does not fall within the military’s domain under the Constitution.
General Bajwa had no qualms about admitting that such interference was outside the scope of the military’s responsibilities, calling it not only a major blunder by the army but also unconstitutional. He did, however, confirm that his organisation had now decided to stay out of politics.
Some even referred to it as a Gorbachev moment, with the army chief accepting responsibility for the major mess that had been created over the last several decades and promising that the institution would not do so again. General Bajwa also slammed recent’slander’ by some political leaders, accusing them of fabricating a ‘false’ narrative against the military.
There is no doubt that the army cannot be held solely responsible for past errors; political parties must accept their fair share of the blame as well. But, because the army ruled and dominated for so long, it must bear the lion’s share of the blame for tearing the nation’s social, political, and economic fabric apart.
The question is whether the outgoing chief’s promise heralds a genuine effort to bring the whole truth forward, completely changing the vision and correcting course to the necessary extent, and pursuing genuine reform and reconciliation, or whether it will be little more than lip service and patchwork.
Gen Bajwa lamented that the Indian army is not criticised despite atrocities and human rights violations in Held Kashmir, whereas the Pakistani military is criticised despite the good it does; on reflection, he concluded that this is primarily due to the military’s involvement in political affairs.
To be honest, the military’s massive footprints extend beyond politics. Because the Pakistani military is involved in almost every aspect of society, it is even more vulnerable to criticism. The military’s most visible intrusion is arguably its desire to control the country’s national narrative as well as its political and social discourse.
With the exception of the few years of Modi’s rule, most countries, including India, have a diversity of views, open debate on national issues, and encourage their intelligentsia to provide free and fair opinion in order to form national policies. However, in Pakistan, the ongoing persecution of independent-minded intellectuals has reduced the space available for open debate on critical national issues.
A regimented, straightjacket approach advanced rather, enforced by the military has had a negative impact on both the country and the enforcers. Not only did Pakistan see major policy flaws on the diplomatic and economic fronts, but what was ostensibly done in the name of national security also had major shortcomings and had a significant negative impact on the country. All of these policies and decisions, however flawed, could have fared better and received less criticism if the country’s political leadership had taken ownership and thus been seen as representing the will of the people. The lack of political support further distanced the armed forces from the people and their aspirations. As a result, there is more criticism.
General Bajwa correctly stated that the PDM and its allies referred to the PTI as a “selected government” following the 2018 elections. In turn, Imran Khan has accused the current administration of being ‘imported’ and installed through a US-led conspiracy. The outgoing chief urged political parties to put aside their differences and work together for Pakistan. However, he cannot completely absolve himself of the consequences of what occurred in 2018 and early this year.
A genuine course correction is only possible if the wrongdoings of the past are acknowledged. The last decade, particularly the last five years, has witnessed the most heinous persecution of independent voices. Aside from political parties’ allegations of rigging, the way the media was coerced and persecuted before and during the 2018 elections is proof enough of the establishment’s blatant involvement in electoral manipulation.
It got even worse after the elections, as the establishment’s so-called hybrid model failed miserably. The concept of commanding from behind has never worked. As a result, the primary focus was not on deliverance but on perception management.
While huge favours were given to some to toe the line and become part of the massive propaganda campaign, independent voices were crushed sometimes by invoking the age-old slogan of ‘national interest,’ and sometimes by pleading for ‘countering’ 4th and 5th generation warfare. Being ‘neutral’ also entails righting past wrongs, such as withdrawing undue favours while also lifting all restrictions imposed to control the economy.
Love and respect do not come from coercion and persecution. They are earned by acknowledging and respecting different points of view. In a society, encouraging diverse even disagreeable points of view fosters the much-desired respect. If all pillars of the state work within the bounds of the Constitution, Pakistan may yet be able to emerge from its current quagmire.
One can only hope that General Bajwa’s comments reflect the wiser and deeper thinking of the institution, which the incoming command is charged with implementing. The challenge then is not General Bajwa talking the talk, but General Asim Munir walking the walk.