DG ISR Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar has not only denied that the Army has made any contacts with the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), but has also called for an end to claims of the Army intervening in politics. The reason for such claims is deeply rooted in our history, for while there have been four military takeovers, those episodes have been associated with egregious interference in politics, both before and after those takeovers. That interference was never revealed; it just came out unofficially, mostly in the shape of memoirs by participants, often enough after retirement from service. It is a fair estimate that now, if indeed anyone is dickering with the PDM, no one is willing to talk at the moment. But some time later, when the PDM will have passed into history, if there have been any discussions, an account will emerge.
General Iftikhar needs to remember that involvement has itself led to this being spoken of. Former PM Mian Nawaz Sharif is the one who let this cat out of the bag, going so far as to name names. However, he himself benefited from this intervention in the Zia era, when he became Punjab Finance Minister and then Chief Minister. Only as Prime Minister, in 1993, did he fall afoul of the establishment for the first time. However, his being an insider only enhances his credibility, but does not create it. However, his evidence is of the same category as of those officers who speak out after retirement. One problem has been the present government’s claim that it was ‘on the same page’. It should not be forgotten that those being supported will claim it, and the others, seeing opponents getting support they are deprived of, will squawk.
The only real way for the noise to die down is for all institutions to observe the limits set on them by the Constitution. If there is no intervention, even the loudest claims that it is taking place will not be believed. The maligned institution may have to pay for the errors of seniors by accepting patently false charges, but only going strictly by the book, and keeping quiet, will counter the rumors. Only when sufficient memoirs make no revelations about the past, will the task be accomplished.
