Pakistan’s leadership crisis can only be redressed through political engagement
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Recently in Pakistan, several high and middle-ranking officers of the Pakistan Army along with many other young officers were compulsorily retired from service. Many of them will also be tried for gross indiscipline and conspiring against their institution and the state. Their offense was that they were involved in politics and openly supported former prime minister Imran Khan.
This was an unfortunate and serious development even in comparison to what Pakistan has witnessed during its own turbulent history. After the break-up of Pakistan in 1971, the army faced a serious crisis of leadership and deep resentment for their mishandling of the situation but within a few years, things normalized.
The present crisis, however, has a different dynamic and its trajectory is worth analyzing. Due to the regional security situation and weak political institutions, the army and its leadership enjoy an unusually esteemed position and exercise considerable power and influence in Pakistan. Strict discipline, the sanctity of the command structure, and remaining apolitical are central to a professional military.
But Khan’s role in relying heavily on the army leadership contributed to increasing the involvement and patronage of the army’s top leadership in politics. His total disregard for parliamentary practices and insistence on only talking to the army chief while refusing to engage with the political leadership neither served the interests of the country nor his own— and eventually came back full circle during the events following May 9.
In order to take their place as the torch-bearers of democracy in Pakistan, political parties have to strengthen their internal structures and the constant dependency on the military has to end.
Talat Masood
Fast forward to now. The steps taken by the military high command after the unfortunate events and protests of May 9 have further strengthened the army’s combat capability. Initially, the army chief on assuming command, had stated that he would stay away from politics. But it is unfortunate that politicians failing to resolve their differences or being unable to satisfactorily govern and address national issues, keep falling back for support from the army leadership. Meanwhile opposition parties, instead of protesting on the streets or abstaining, should air their views in parliament and focus on real national issues.
These domestic issues and uncertain conditions in Pakistan have taken the focus away from major foreign policy and economy issues, and have led to a crisis of leadership where weak democratic institutions and major political parties pursuing and promoting dynastic power have personalized politics. In order to take their place as the torch-bearers of democracy in Pakistan, political parties have to strengthen their internal structures, while dynastic domination as well as the constant dependency on the military has to end. Elections within political parties should be free and fair.
The immediate issue that needs to be addressed by the government is to ensure that national and provincial elections are held in accordance with the constitution. There has been a critical delay in elections that has to be regularized by the parliament. This will go a long way in normalizing the situation and place Pakistan on the right track— a track that has been utterly uprooted in recent months.
- Talat Masood is a retired Lieutenant General from Pakistan Army and an eminent scholar on national security and political issues.
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