And now, the army!

Fine, but really, did the author of this piece have to go on and on about the wondrous virtues of the heroic, son-of-the-Frontier Ali Quli? And then that all-too-obvious reference to Altaf Hussein`s role in Musharraf`s promotion. Mere conjecture. There seems to be innuendo here and a certain agenda at work that is hardly the sort of a thing for a website of this nature.

The history of Pakistan, in fact the sub-continent, is replete with decisions that have a political motivation. It is open for conjecture why the sitting COAS resigned wihin hours after speaking the ``truth`` and suggesting a ``solution.`` It is also open for conjecture why a particular individual was chosen to replace him rather than ``xx.`` Zeejah takes no prisoners in suggesting that there was a method to this madness. The burning question is, ``will it be good for the country?`` In all fairness, it can be assumed that such compromise decisions lead to no good, ever. The real result will be evident when the killing in Karachi stops.

Your points are well-taken and make very sound sense. However, Zeejan writes:

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Economic insolvency stares us in the face, (we have long passed the rubicon of Moral bankruptcy), a massive brain-drain is in progress, violent sectarianism is running amok, and a bloody civil war might be around the corner.
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Is this a new environment for Pakistan? Doesn`t it ALWAYS seem that way? Yes, things are worse than 1 year ago, but are they really that much worse than 10 years ago?

i dont know much about the specifics of the situation, so i cannot comment about your article, i just have a small question: you say ali kuli khattak was head of the ``1983-85 in Sind while involved in anti-dacoity operations`` are these the same anti-dacoit operations which were a disguise for terminating MRD types?

Important and well informed article. My only reservation: Ali Kuli Khan`s praises went on too long. But I am glad the writer made the point about Mr. Sharif`s megalomanic power trip , and his inability to tolerate anyone willing to say: `But Mr. Prime Minister....`
Once again reminds me of the late Z.A.B, right down to the COAS appointed out of turn.If he keeps following Mr.Bhutto`s footsteps (crushing of opponents, quick policy decisions to shake down citizens for money, the inflammatory foriegn policies, the last minute rush to shariah, the refusal to accept advice, the yes-man C.O.A.S), one shudders to think where those footsteps shall take Mr. Sharif next.

i met one of pervaiz musharrafs old commanding officers yesterday who had this to say about him, ``he`s a nice person but he doesn`t like to get his hands dirty, he`s not really a `soldiers soldier```. he went on to relate how, during the 61 was, when the company he was with was being sent to the border, pervaiz m had himself transferred safely inland where he would not be in the thick of action.to each his own i suppose.
as for karamats resignation, i think he did the right thing. regardless of whether what he said was true or not, he had no business making those remarks. it is because of those years under military rule that we are so politically and emotionally stunted. he might be a fine man, but he went above and beyond `the call of duty` by saying what he did.

People in the Armed forces get superceded all the time. Also, at General level when officers get superceded they usually leave. If they dont, since they are at the point of retirement (unless promoted) so they would retire. It is against the grain of a Foji to take orders from a junior, hence the departure is almost automatic upon being superceded, especially at that level. The appointment of Chief of Staff of any service is not on seniority alone. Any of the Lt Generals may make it. And the ones who are senior to the appointed one would leave. There is nothing out of the ordinary in that.

In justification of her point of view Ms Zeejah mentions the case of Chief Justice of Pakistan, who, according to the Constitution of Pakistan is appointed on seniority alone. There is no such rule for the appointment of Chief of staff of any service.

On principle alone, in a society governed by civilians, a COAS, who is a few steps removed in ranking to the Prime Minister may not contradict him. As per rule, if wishes of the COAS clash with the wishes of the government, then the General would go. In Pakistan, it is usually the government that goes, but in this instance the General was not interested in governing so he went instead. Simple.

Asif

Although I am not a fervent supporter of Nawaz Sharif I cannot condone the remarks made by the COAS at the Naval War College. Due to Pakistan`s history we have started to regard the Army as the fourth pillar of government. Everytime the democratic government is in trouble the people expect the Army to intervene. Army is an integral part of the executuve branch of the government and it should not attempt to interfere with other branches. Constitutionally, the Army is subservient to both the Prime Minister and the President because they are the highest elected official and theoretically represent the will of the people. The most important rule in the Army is the chain of command, a soldier must not question the commands of its superiors. The COAS is not in a position to make remarks about the elected government. Even if it is his personal opinion and not the view of the Armed Forces it should be kept private. The selection of the COAS is a perogrative of the Prime Minister and the President and is not based only upon the considerations of seniority. Finally, if the smaller provinces feel that they are being marginalized, they should mobilize for the next elections. The Army is not the solution, historically we have enthusistically welcomed an Army rule and celebrated even more to see it go. Let us not fall into that trap again.

I agree with most of the article, except for the Punjabi bashing. It has indeed become fashionable to blame it all on Punjabis (we seem to be in good company with Jews, Indians and the CIA). My purpose here is not to extoll the virtues of Punjabis or the Sharifs (especially since the Sharifs have none). My purpose is to differentiate between the masses and the `elite.` Not the Punjabi masses and the Punjabi elite, but masses and elite of Pakistan in general. The country is not being run by a Punjabi, it being run by rich, usually well educated elite who have no idea (or don`t care) about the plight the poor. There are poor people in Punjab just as there are in other provinces. There are the illeterate, desperate and hopeless everywhere, including Punjab. Similiarly, there are the opportunists, the corrupt in Punjab, AS WELL as every other part of the country. The problem is not that the Punjabis take all the resources and leave nothing for others, the problem (and a sad fact) is that there aren`t enough resources to go around; that is why we are part of the third world. Disperety exists, but it is between the rich and the poor; not between Punjabis and the non-Punjabis.

Shahbaz Chaudhary

Muzaffar:

If the relationship between the author and the general exists then it should be put on the mast head, to put the article in perspective. Otherwise, it would be journalistic compromise and a sham.

Mian sahib, a.k.a. Amir-ul-ChorDaku, is sitting atop a rocket merrily singing ``Generals may come, generals may go. judges may come, judges may go, presidents may come. presidents may go......``like Dr. Strangelove..

regards

Although it is easier said than done, those living in Pakistan, and those who consider themselves Pakistanis, must realize that they are Pakistanis first and anything else a distant second. Too much at stake lies in between being a Pakistani and being a Punjabi, a Mohajir, a Pathan, a Sindhi, a Baluchi, and other numerous beings. The corrupt, incompetent, and unenlightened leadership in Pakistan, including the present one, has successfully Balkanized Pakistan to serve its own selfish purpose. If ordinary Pakistanis are not made aware of the diabolical tricks Paksitani leadership has been pulling, greater tragedies, just as in the Balkans, await for Pakistan.

In reply to Ak...

The `wondrous` virtues of Ali Quli are strangely enough (in this day and age) not only true, but minimized in order to be believable...:)

as for the innuendo ... this is only one of many theories flying around .. another is that Ali Quli and his brother in law, Gohar Ayub, would have made a team too strong for the comfort of Mian Nawaz Shareef.... and so on and so forth. We have learned, over the years (of totalitarian rule in Pakistan), to read between the lines.

In reply to Muzaffar Qazilbash...

If the gentleman has read, and according to his own admission, admired some of my writings he would realize that my relationship to Ali Quli would not have allowed me to write falsehoods; I do not compromise on the truth. I write well, because I write honestly....or not at all....:)

In reply to Aliya...

I am afraid there is no other way to write about Ali Quli...I have known him all my life...and so I know what I am talking about...though he does sound too good to be true...but sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction...:)

In reply to slink...

hmmm that kind of `soldierly` behaviour makes things much clearer....:)

In reply to Ajnabi...

Mian Nawaz Shareef`s election slogan, if I am not wrong, was ...``Jaag Punjabi Jaag, tairee pug noo lag gaee aag``