Every country has an establishment that ensures continuity of the state apparatus while the political players come and go. Parameters are defined by the constitutional framework. At the time of Partition, Pakistan inherited a Colonial State under the Government of India Act 1935 which was passed by the British Parliament. The constituent assembly elected in 1945 was tasked with framing the constitution of the new republic that emerged on 14 August 1947.
Trouble started when Babu Ghulam Muhammad first managed to become Governor General, who subsequently dissolved the legislature. Finally in 1956 a document was passed by the assembly. Iskander Mirza, another bureaucrat, took the oath of office as the first President of the republic. In 1958, instead of holding elections under the new constitutional framework, he decided to abrogate the Constitution; the main reason behind the move was the fear of defeat. After the first Martial Law in October 1958 when the Khakis moved out of the barracks they were stricken by fear.
The same fear continues till today. After deposing the elected government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto the establishment of its time decided to launch Nawaz Sharif of Gawalmandi Lahore as its new political face to counter the threat posed by the popularity of ZAB and his party, which was led by his daughter after his judicial murder.
In the 1988 electoral contest, despite electoral manipulation Benazir Bhutto managed to emerge as the single largest party in the National Assembly. Out of fear her wings were clipped by the establishment.
The important portfolios of Foreign Affairs, Finance, Defense were kept out of her domain together with the Chief Ministership of Punjab which was handed over to Nawaz. As their own embryo Nawaz was later launched as Prime Minister after the dismissal of the BB government by the President under Article 58(2b). Nawaz now ruled over his home province and the federation.
With his total grip on power Nawaz decided to be his own man. Fearing his control, the establishment decided to strike back. In 1993 his government was sent packing. BB was eased into power. When she was pushed out Nawaz managed to come into power the second time around with a two-thirds majority. This time he decided to take total control of the levers of power, including the armed forces.
In a democratic dispensation the rule of the majority is an essential requirement. Establishment-manipulated ballots have weakened democracy. Free and fair elections followed by the retreat to the barracks by the Khakis is the most viable option. Fear leads to contempt which is not in the nation’s interest. Pakistan was envisioned as a constitutional democracy. Now after half a century of cheating it is time to respect and follow the agreement between the rulers and the ruled called. The Constitution of the Islamic Republic Pakistan’ unanimously passed by a genuinely elected legislature.
Gen Jehangir Karamat was sent into forced retirement. As he was at the fag end of his term he decided to go home quietly and gracefully, He was replaced by General Pervez Musharraf who was expected to behave. When differences started to emerge, NS tried to remove his handpicked COAS, but this time the reaction was serious. He was removed and captured. Abba Ji managed to reach an agreement of self exile with the general and the family agreed to live in Jeddah for a period of 10 years.
After the lawyers’ movement in 2007, Nawaz managed another grand comeback. In the elections that followed in 2008 he took control of his home province and in 2013 he was back in power at the centre also. He continued on his dream for total control. Mission was a COAS as compliant as an IGP, who could be removed at will.
The methodology was changed this time around Instead of direct confrontation, videos were prepared by a Media Cell operating within the PM House. The famous Dawn Leaks spilled the beans, there was a strong reaction from the men in uniform. Then came the Panama Papers which exposed the corruption of the mighty and the powerful.
This time he was disqualified for life by the Supreme Court which was headed at that time by one of the former legal advisers of the Sharif Group who knew the inside workings of the business empire created by Abba Ji. Currently the disqualified, cornered and angry individual is planning to regain power for the fourth time to complete his mission of total control. Now that most civilian institutions have been made non-functional the challenge is of a subservient COAS. NAWAZ is prepared to go to any extent for the fulfillment of his dream.
Currently the establishment is fearful of the popularity of Imran Khan). He clearly leads the pack with a two-thirds majority. The rule of the one third with the support of the establishment is no longer possible. This gang of status quo politicians have been grouped together under the banner of the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM). The religious right has always been in the establishment camp. Despite being an embryo of the establishment, the PML(N) desires an upper hand which has been a serious bone of contention between the two. Asif Zardari has played his cards well. Under him Bhutto’s party is no longer a threat to the status-quo forces. His approach of live and let live has been welcomed by the establishment. Currently his party has emerged as a jewel in the crown of PDM.
As leader of the vast majority IK seeks a more lasting solution to the tinkering of the establishment. He seeks enforcement of the constitutional boundaries under which the Khakis have to return to the barracks where they rightfully belong. A subservient and compliant COAS like an IGP is not his desire. His mission is the enforcement of rule of law. For its security the republic needs a strong defence force which should keep out of politics.
The status-quo is no longer an option, and change is inevitable. The total-control mantra of Nawaz will weaken the institution which is undesirable. A negotiated and planned return to the barracks remains the best possible approach for the men in uniform.
In a democratic dispensation the rule of the majority is an essential requirement. Establishment-manipulated ballots have weakened democracy. Free and fair elections followed by the retreat to the barracks by the Khakis is the most viable option. Fear leads to contempt which is not in the nation’s interest. Pakistan was envisioned as a constitutional democracy. Now after half a century of cheating it is time to respect and follow the agreement between the rulers and the ruled called. The Constitution of the Islamic Republic Pakistan’ unanimously passed by a genuinely elected legislature.
