Muhammad Usman
AS widely expected, Government has extended tenure of General Bajwa in office by another full term in view of regional security environment. The move has been hailed bullishly across the country with relief, satisfaction and gratification. Even opposition political parties also chose not to stand at opposite poles. This has vindicated wide ranging rationality behind the move, professed or otherwise and sent a message of continuity and clarity as intended to loud and clear at home and abroad. Given critical conditions internally and externally, possibly it was an imperative. Let us first talk of situation externally. With rabid senselessness by India to amalgamate India-occupied Jammu & Kashmir into its Union by repealing Articles 370 and 35-A of its Constitution, tension between Pakistan and India has skyrocketed to the extent of threat of nuclear showdown. By its implications, this has turned into a situation of ‘do or die’ for Pakistan as one could easily infer this from PM’s address to the nation two days earlier. It is our 9/11. The peace talks between US and Afghan Taliban are at delicate and advanced stage. World at large and US in particular have pinned hope on Pakistan for their successful conclusion. Besides, new great game between US and China is also creeping in the region, making the choices difficult for Pakistan with narrow margin of decision.
The relations between Pakistan and Iran continue to reside in state of ambivalence particularly, amid renewed US military build-up in the Gulf and relations of Pakistan with Saudi Arabia/other Gulf States. In brief, external situation around Pakistan, is perilous, taxing and exacting with no luxury of time, distance and error. Over last decade, due to crass compliancy, indifference and ineptitude of previous governments about foreign policy, inevitably, Military Establishment had to step in to fill the vacuum as a dire national necessity. Consequent upon this, outside world increasingly lost trust on civil leadership of the country and felt more comfort and assurance while dealing with military leadership. Despite new government at helm with popular support and approval, more or less, situation remains unchanged. Understandably, it would take time for reassurance to revert back. Internally, change brought by Imran Khan continues to shuffle its feet with no major breakthrough despite laudably strenuous efforts made by him. Most probably, main reason is a perceived notion about ruling elite that they could make a comeback through backdoors courtesy powers that be as had been the routine in the past. A change in their composition spawns raft of speculation, rumours and disinformation, instigated artfully by vested interests to grind own axe. In our case, perception, even misplaced one is more dangerous than reality because of gullibility of people. Even with instant decision, Zardari has predicted change in Pindi’s weather to sow doubts about government and project better prospects for their survival. This retards probability of change in minds of people thus, such spectre needs to be demolished to clear the way for change to take off.
With any fear of doubt or contradiction, destiny of country hinges on change. For this change, country has suffered grievously and possibly is in no position to endure it again. We are teetering at edge of the precipice. Our economy hangs by thread. The administrative apparatus stands nearly atrophied. Our moral, social and intellectual fabric has been reduced to single ply only. As a nation, we could easily fall prey to sophistry, jugglery and subterfuge. A large number of our people call a man lion who sneaked out to Jeddah under humiliating terms and conditions. Zardari is equated with Nelson Mandela which is an absolute insult to his heroic struggle. Though we have covered a big distance yet final push is required to send system of self perpetuation by vested interests packing. This is now or never to tear apart shackles of power grabbing coterie forever to rid country of their loot and plunder. Precisely this the reason that informed sections of our society call Imran Khan an only and last hope. Under no event, they want this opportunity to fritter away. For this, continuity at top is essential and under compulsion, military had to be its part for the time being. There is nothing strange about it in countries where democratic institutions are at nascent stage and other state institutions have decayed to the limit. Moreover, our problems are too furious and compelling however, for sake of academic discussion, one could argue against extension in point on institutional merit of regular uninterrupted succession. It may be borne that proverbs or certain rules are made for universal consumption. It is proverbially said, one cannot change horses midstream. Universally a discretion is invested with competent authority to deal with similar situations. These are said or set despite a number of institutional merits. Basically this is inevitability of situation which guides one’s action. In instant case, our situation internally as well as externally as discussed above, is seemed to be too stubborn to impel Imran Khan to give General Bajwa another term in office. Given conditions, his decision has conceptual merit of continuity. As already mentioned, his sincerity of purpose contained therein, took no time to pass test of popular acclaim and endorsement. The fusion of both has already given a number of glad tidings to the nation and would definitely enable the country to prove equal to daunting challenges at hand.
— The writer, a retired Lt Col, is freelance columnist based in Islamabad.
