Civil Military relations: co existence and confrontation

 Introduction:

Civil-military relations in Pakistan have been a topic of discussion and debate for decades. The country has a history of military coups and authoritarian rule, which has resulted in a complex relationship between the civilian government and the military establishment. In recent years, Pakistan has witnessed both coexistence and confrontation between the two institutions.

History:

Coexistence between the civilian government and the military establishment has been observed in Pakistan since the 2008 general elections, which brought the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) into power. During the PPP government's tenure, the military largely remained in the background, allowing the civilian government to run the country. However, this coexistence was short-lived, as the military once again became more involved in political affairs after the PPP government was ousted in 2013.

Another example of confrontation between the civilian government and the military establishment was the recent Senate elections in March 2021. The opposition parties accused the military of meddling in the election process and rigging the results in favor of the ruling party. This incident once again raised concerns about the military's interference in the democratic process and its impact on the country's political stability.

The confrontation between the civilian government and the military establishment became more evident in 2017 when the Panama Papers scandal led to the disqualification of then-Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The military was accused of orchestrating Sharif's ouster, which was seen as a blow to democracy in the country. This incident was followed by the military's increasing involvement in the government's decision-making process, which has led to concerns about the erosion of democratic values in Pakistan.

However, there have also been instances of coexistence between the two institutions. For example, the military's support for the government's efforts to combat terrorism has been a significant factor in Pakistan's fight against terrorism. The military has also played a crucial role in the country's economic development by building infrastructure and supporting various development projects.

Recent Era:

Imran Khan's election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan in 2018 brought new hope for the country's political stability and economic growth. However, his relationship with the military establishment has been the subject of scrutiny and speculation.

During his election campaign, Imran Khan promised to break the status quo of traditional politics in Pakistan and to establish a new era of democracy and good governance. His party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), secured a simple majority in the National Assembly, allowing him to form a government without the support of any other party.

However, his government has been accused of being too close to the military establishment, with the military being seen as a significant supporter of his government. This perception was further reinforced when the military's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief made a visit to Saudi Arabia with Imran Khan, which was seen as an attempt by the military to strengthen its ties with the Gulf states.

Moreover, Imran Khan's government has been criticized for its lack of autonomy in decision-making, with the military's influence being felt in various policy areas, including foreign policy and security matters. This has led to concerns about the erosion of democratic values and the establishment of a military-dominated political system in the country.

On the other hand, Imran Khan's government had made efforts to improve civil-military relations in the country. He had maintained a cooperative and cordial relationship with the military leadership, which had helped to maintain stability and security in the country.

Moreover, his government had also taken steps to address some of the key issues that have been a source of tension between the civilian government and the military establishment, such as the issue of missing persons and the involvement of the military in the country's economy.

The Rise and Fall Of PDM:

The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) was formed in September 2020 as an alliance of opposition parties aimed at ousting Imran Khan's government. The PDM was formed in response to what the opposition parties saw as the government's failure to address key issues such as inflation, unemployment, and corruption.

The PDM is led by Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the head of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F) party. The alliance also includes other major opposition parties such as the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan People's Party (PPP).

The PDM's main objective is to force early elections in the country and to remove Imran Khan's government from power. The opposition parties have accused Imran Khan's government of being illegitimate and have called for his resignation, claiming that the 2018 general elections were rigged in his favor.

The PDM has held a series of rallies and public meetings across the country, which have attracted large crowds. However, the government has not allowed the opposition parties to hold rallies in some cities, citing security concerns and the COVID-19 pandemic.The PDM's rallies and public meetings have also been met with resistance from the government, with several opposition leaders being arrested or facing charges of sedition and treason. The government has also accused the opposition parties of destabilizing the country and working against the national interest.

The PDM's momentum began to falter soon after its formation. One of the primary reasons for the PDM's decline was the internal conflicts within the alliance. The alliance lacked a clear strategy, and its members had different priorities and agendas. The PDM was also unable to agree on a joint candidate for the Senate elections, which further weakened its position.

Another factor that contributed to the PDM's decline was the government's response to its anti-government campaign. The government used a combination of legal action, harassment, and arrests to suppress the PDM's rallies and meetings. This included the arrest of PDM leaders and activists, as well as the imposition of Section 144, which banned public gatherings in several cities. The government's actions weakened the PDM's position and made it difficult for the alliance to sustain its momentum in future of Pakistan.

Conclusion:

Civil-military relations in Pakistan have been characterized by a mixture of coexistence and confrontation. While the military has played a significant role in the country's development and security, its interference in the democratic process has raised concerns about the erosion of democratic values in the country. It is essential for the civilian government and the military establishment to find a way to coexist peacefully and work together for the country's betterment while maintaining democratic values and principles.

PDM has emerged as a major opposition alliance in Pakistan aimed at removing Imran Khan's government from power. While the opposition parties have accused the government of being illegitimate and failing to address key issues, the government has accused the opposition of destabilizing the country and working against the national interest. The PDM's campaign has highlighted the deep divisions and polarizations within Pakistani politics and society, and the challenge for the government and the opposition is to find a way to work together for the betterment of the country.

Imran Khan's relationship with the military establishment has been a subject of scrutiny and debate. While his government has been accused of being too close to the military, it has also made efforts to improve civil-military relations in the country. The challenge for Imran Khan's government is to strike a balance between maintaining a cooperative relationship with the military establishment while upholding democratic values and principles.