The worsening of civilian-military relations in Pakistan is evident, especially given events of the past week. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's decision on Wednesday to dismiss the top bureaucrat of the ministry of defence was the latest addition to the government's determination to confront the military.
Lieutenant General (retired) Naeem Khalid Lodhi, a widely respected former army commander who was recently appointed as secretary to the ministry of defence, lost his job ostensibly for his failure to consult with the government before responding to the Supreme Court in an ongoing case. Strange as it may sound, Pakistan's rulers appear to reject the supremacy of the Supreme Court in calling upon individuals to testify and instead expect its officials to tow its line in the first place.
But deep below this latest development comes what can clearly be seen as the outcome of the government's own successive failures. Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari, both elected in 2008, are faced with a set of rapidly growing challenges, most of their own government's making.
The mood on the streets of Pakistan today is clearly far more perturbed and unsettled than ever before. Pakistanis have protested periodically on a variety of issues, each to do with one failure by the government after another. Such protests have taken place on issues ranging from widespread shortage of electricity to acute shortage of gas as Pakistanis have had to brave the winter chill this year.
Meanwhile, some of the key services such as trains and the state-run airline appear to be in bad shape. During the three-plus years since Pakistan's present rulers took charge of the country, it is awfully hard to find a success story as there simply isn't one.
Though Gilani and Zardari may pat themselves on the back for consolidating the country's democratic framework, the people have suffered. The pat on the back is essentially a hollow one when juxtaposed against the mood on the streets of Pakistan. With virtually no success stories in sight for the ordinary people of Pakistan, it is hard to defend the track record of the ruling structure. In this background, the civilian-military rift has come to be seen more as a diversionary tactic by a government which has little to show to its electorate, especially in a year when elections are likely to take place.
Democratic framework
In addition to the failure to deliver, the government is also hounded by many allegations of corruption at high places — an issue that has received little recognition beyond official lip service. In what is still an unprecedented event, even pilgrims to Makkah for the Haj, some years ago were ripped off when part of the money paid for their accommodation was allegedly pocketed by top officials of the present regime. To date, the issue seems to be unresolved to the satisfaction of the victims. In this background, rather than picking a fight with the army, Pakistan's rulers must first reconcile themselves with their own pathetic track record.
As for the future of the democratic framework, there is little to suggest a threat of an army takeover which has been widely rumoured. Though it is true that Pakistan has been ruled by the army in the past, times have indeed changed not just globally but also within the country. General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, the army's chief of staff, has repeatedly indicated his intention to remain supportive of a democratic framework. On Wednesday, in spite of civilian-military tensions running high, there were no credible indications of a takeover by the army.
Going forward, there is only so much that politicians like Gilani and Zardari can do for consolidating their positions by placing the burden of responsibility on the army's shoulders. Ultimately, it will be up to the people of Pakistan to decide exactly who they want as their rulers. The opportunity may not be too far off with elections likely in 2012, ahead of the cut off date in the first quarter of 2013.
In the brief time that Gilani, Zardari and their supporters still have, the ruling class will be much better off if it was to reconcile itself to its dismal performance. Ultimately, Pakistan's rulers need to come to terms with the reality of a country where their failure to perform has become the driver of their increasing unpopularity, rather than the imaginary threat of looming martial law.
Farhan Bokhari is a Pakistan-based commentator who writes on political and economic matters.
