The Elephant in the Room: How the Army Continues to Meddle in Politics

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The political landscape in Pakistan is always a cause for concern, but the current constitutional crisis has left many wondering what will happen next. It’s no secret that the army has always had a role in politics, but the question is, what kind of role will it play this time around?

In his first press conference as the newly appointed DG ISPR, Maj Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry tried to reassure the public that the army will remain neutral. However, before addressing the elephant in the room, he took some time to talk about security-related issues. One of the issues he mentioned was the military’s success in anti-terror operations. According to him, the army and LEAs carried out 8,269 intelligence-based operations in 2022, resulting in 1,378 suspected terrorists being taken into custody and 157 being killed.

Interestingly, Gen Chaudhry distanced his institution from the previous government’s initiative to hold talks with the banned TTP group, given the public uproar over the plan to mainstream them in KP’s tribal districts. He also highlighted the evolving militant landscape in the region following the US exit from Afghanistan, pointing out that TTP and Baloch insurgents were working together to sabotage peace in Balochistan and KP.

However, with the country in the grip of a constitutional crisis, the army’s role in politics remains a cause for concern. The current crisis was triggered by the opposition’s refusal to accept the results of the last election, which they claim was rigged in favor of the ruling party. The opposition has demanded a new election, but the government has refused, and the situation has now reached a stalemate.

This political impasse has not only caused a lot of uncertainty but has also raised questions about the constitutionality of the government’s actions. The opposition claims that the government has violated the constitution by not holding new elections, while the government argues that it is following the constitution by not bowing to the opposition’s demands.

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As the situation remains deadlocked, many are worried about what the future holds for Pakistan. The country is facing a host of challenges, including economic instability, security threats, and political uncertainty. In these trying times, it is imperative that the government and opposition work together to find a way out of this crisis and focus on the well-being of the people of Pakistan.

It’s important to note that the army’s role in politics has always been a contentious issue in Pakistan. While the army has played a crucial role in ensuring the country’s security, its involvement in politics has also led to instability and uncertainty. It is, therefore, essential that the army remains neutral and does not interfere in the country’s political affairs.

The DG ISPR’s recent press conference has brought the army’s role in politics to the forefront. Despite claims of neutrality, the military’s past meddling in politics has been well documented. Former army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa’s admission of the military’s political involvement only reinforced what was already known: that the military had been ruling directly or indirectly, manipulating poll results, and engineering alliances.

While the DG ISPR emphasized the apolitical and constitutional nature of relations between the government and army, the public remains sceptical of the security establishment’s newfound neutrality. The recent audio leaks, for instance, suggest continued interference in politics, with certain individuals being compromised to shape the political landscape in a specific manner. It is no secret that the hidden hand with the most advanced electronic surveillance capabilities is widely suspected to be behind the leaks.

The ‘reunification’ of various MQM factions and the PSP under the stewardship of a recent lateral entrant in the MQM ranks, also seems forced rather than organic, and could have significant implications for politics in Karachi.

To earn public trust, the security establishment will need to demonstrate its commitment to neutrality in tangible ways. It will need to steer clear of interfering in politics and refrain from manipulating poll results. It should also avoid engineering alliances and working behind the scenes to influence the political landscape.

Moreover, the security establishment needs to demonstrate its respect for democratic institutions, such as the judiciary and the media. It should avoid pressurizing the judiciary or the media to make decisions that align with its interests. Instead, it should let these institutions function independently and uphold their constitutional mandate.

It is time for the security establishment to put its past behind and work towards strengthening democracy and democratic institutions. As the country faces several challenges, including terrorism and extremism, it is imperative that the army focuses on its primary responsibility of ensuring the security and safety of the citizens. It should also support the government in its efforts to promote economic development and improve the standard of living for the people.

The present political and constitutional quagmire is so thick that it’s hard to see any way out of it. The recent press conference of newly appointed DG ISPR, Maj Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, was no exception. While the elephant in the room was the army’s role in politics, Chaudhry talked at length about security-related issues, listing the army’s successes in anti-terror operations. It’s no surprise that he claimed the army’s neutrality in politics, but as everyone knows, it’s been meddling in politics for almost the entirety of Pakistan’s existence.

It will take more than just statements to convince the public of the security establishment’s newfound neutrality. After the hybrid experiment unraveled, it faced unprecedented criticism, which exposed its bias towards certain political factions. Despite the criticism, there are still suspicions of continued interference. The cascade of audio leaks and other such moves is clearly designed to manipulate the political landscape in a particular way.

The military’s claims of being apolitical but constitutional in nature are falling on deaf ears. Even seasoned politicians like Shahid Khaqan Abbasi are warning of a potential military intervention. The army must take concrete steps to prove its neutrality and not just make empty promises.

The situation is ripe for martial law, and unless the military walks the walk, it will be just another empty promise. With the army’s history of meddling in politics, it’s no surprise that the public is skeptical of its newfound neutrality. Only concrete actions can win back the trust of the public and put an end to the political and constitutional crises plaguing the country.

The military must realize that it cannot continue to pull the strings from behind the scenes and make and break governments. It must allow democracy to take its course and respect the will of the people. The country is at a crossroads, and the military’s role in determining its future cannot be overstated.

In conclusion, the military must stop playing politics and focus on its primary responsibility of ensuring the security of the nation. It must take concrete steps to prove its neutrality and regain the trust of the public. The road ahead is difficult, but with the right steps, Pakistan can emerge stronger and more resilient than ever before.