And Dr. Shahid Hussain Bokhari Quits… it is reported in daily dawn:

The question is, do we need the army or is it the other way around? Mr Kamran is right that Pakistan is paying to keep our army.

The army in turn has conquered Pakistan four times. Gone are the days when the melodies of Noorjehan could be heard from every teashop or most trucks on their tail boards displayed ‘Pak Fauj ko salaam’.

Before the present conquest of Pakistan by the army we had almost run out of enemies. We enjoyed the best of relations with the Taliban in Kabul while Russia was thousands of miles away.

We had little cause to fear an attack from Iran or China, and with the recently-acquired nuclear weapons India was fairly neutralised. But with the army back in command, we seem to be surrounded by enemies on our east and west.

Do we need the army in such circumstances? Can the army provide security to the nation? These are open questions. Yes, defence of the country we do need.

An alternative could be a general draft system. Under this, all able-bodied male Pakistanis between the ages of 18 and 25 years may be required to put in one year of compulsory military service.

This will not only economise the defence bill but will also bring about closeness between the civil and military sections of society and perhaps end the seemingly never-ending cycle of military rule after every few years.


I think a valid suggestion... but it should also give option to women as well in the 18-25 category.