PTI chief Imran Khan continues to be possessed by two cravings, early elections and himself appointing the next COAS. There are problems with both.
Over 30 million people in Pakistan have been affected by torrential rains and flash floods across the country, leaving over 1,400 dead and 6.4 million in need of immediate support. The scale of human suffering witnessed by UN Secretary General António Guterres led him to call on the international community for urgent financial help. Friendly countries including China, the USA, the UK, Japan, Turkiye, and the Gulf emirates have sent planeloads of food, tents and medicines. The government machinery as well as Pakistan Army assets are involved in rescue activities, providing temporary shelter, food and medicines to the affected population. Holding early elections in the country would deflect attention from the calamity and divert financial and manpower resources to elections, thus further magnifying the scale of the human disaster. And all this because Mr Khan thinks this is the moment he can win hands down. Why can‘t these elections wait for next year when the displaced millions would be in a position to vote?
Only those unaware of the history of civil-military relations in Pakistan will buy the argument that a COAS selected by a particular PM despite his being junior to others will remain loyal to him. Had this been true neither ZAB nor Nawaz Sharif would have been removed prematurely. It is equally unrealistic to expect that a ‘powerful and patriotic’ COAS will invariably keep a watch on the financial affairs of his PM.
Mr Khan wants the process to appoint the next COAS to be deferred till after the next general elections. Khan hopes to win the election and appoint the COAS. While he did not exactly say this, the suggestion effectively means granting another extension to the incumbent COAS, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, albeit for a short period. The DG ISPR had already asked political parties and the public at large not to drag the Army into politics. As he had put it, General Bajwa will not accept an extension and will retire on November 29.
The new COAS needs to be appointed strictly in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution by the government that is in power in November. Any attempt to create doubts about the prescribed procedure, or the credentials of the COAS thus appointed, would be harmful for the country.
