A change to the good
By Shahid Rizvi
The resignation demanded by the Prime Minister and tendered in compliance by Admiral Mansur ul Haq is a very good omen and indicator of changes in many ways.
The incident has not been unusual in the history of the country and has many precedents, but this one shows something different.
It was not only a show of authority of the prime minister over the affairs of the armed forces but also it is the first time that’s such a high-ranking officer of the ear and forces of the armed forces has been labelled with corruption charges which are to be investigated.
The way the matter was taken up was however a bit strange. Admiral could have submitted his resignation without anyone knowing about it. The show has defamed the armed forces and the general notion spread over the country and out of the country is that corruption prevails in our armed forces. It has substantiated to the rumours of high-level corruption in the upper echelon. Our armed forces are already known as one of the kingmakers who have always been posing to overthrow the democratic governments by force.
In democratic countries, the army plays its role in defence and not in politics. The people of the country would be happier if their armed forces proved themselves honest and devoted to their profession.
The step taken by Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif should also be a warning to the vested interests and religious and other forces who nest on the army’s backing and interference and politics. Another aspect is that the other members of the trio have been weakened and should refrain from indulging in conspiracies. The budgetary pressure is very high and there appears to be no hope for development projects in the country. The defense budget eats up lion’s share of the revenues. There has been more demand for funds by the army in view of the enemy at the border. The strengthening of political forces can be an advancement towards peaceful solutions of the issues are at least one war pact and thus reducing the heavy military budgets. The latest or armament technology needs such a high cost that no small nation can afford it. Pakistan is not in a position to manufacture missiles. The money saved will surely go to development.
With the control of the armed forces there should also be rigid control of the Agencies which have become uncontrollable and are a source of defaming the country all over the world. It is yet to be seen that who wins but the war has at long last started and the people of the country are with Nawaz Sharif in this war. It is up to Nawaz Sharif how much he can activise the people in favour of democracy.
There are other global aspects also which appear to be interlinked. The interests of world powers are changing. It is said that a superpower is insisting on Pakistan to solve the Kashmir issue. India is also inclined to move forward in that direction, under pressure perhaps.
World Bank and IMF are imposing conditions on the loans to increase taxes which cannot be done without more and more development in industry and agriculture. The accord between China and Russia is another important factor. Pakistan must have taken lessons from the result of its old hostile attitude towards Russia.
The Army was one of the forces which influenced hostile foreign policy towards its neighbours. If the action indicates the desire to solve the deep-going crisis in politics and the economy, we are with you. Don’t stop halfway, Mian Saheb!
