Imtiaz Gul
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Bajwa used to tell spurn the idea of extension of tenure as something unhealthy for the institution.
Soon after taking over, I conveyed to all my colleagues; gentlemen, with me the era of extensions is over. I will neither give extension to any one nor will I seek extension for myself, he used to emphatically tell his visitors.
When asked as to how does he propose to pursue the agenda of radical governance and financial reforms in view of his impending retirement in late November, the General would silence skeptics with a categorical response;
Don’t worry about the continuity. Officers junior to me in this institution are much more smarter and intelligent. They will continue the same path, so I will not block others’ way to promotion, he reassured.
Several months into those assurances, here we are are; Prime Minister Imran Khan who, raised his political career on the rejection of “politics of extensions as bad for institutions ” has himself dangled out an entire three-year term to General Bajwa, triggering a spate of displeasure and disappointment within the institution.
The General or his mouthpiece – the ISPR – has not yet responded to the simple three-line notification by the PM office. But the debate on it continues to simmer. PM Khan’s decision disappointed a lot of military and civilian observers, who know Bajwa and had taken his words on the face value.
If he accepts the “reappointment”, then both Bajwa and Khan would have taken about-turns on their lofty rhetoric. This will also further erode the public faith in the national leaders- both civilian and military. The public at large already wary of the favourable way the former ruling families are treated.
Already touted as a man for his candid and clear approach, Bajwa as COAS beyond November 29, 2019, would suffer a loss of respect as much as General Kayani did. The latter still enjoys tremendous respect for his contribution to the rehabilitation and development of the army in difficult circumstances. He also authored Pakistan’s complex counter-terror war. But the extension, which according to a former Barak Obama advisor, Bruce Riedal, was also the result of “behind-the-scenes US efforts,” (mentioned in his book ,The Deadly Embrace), damaged Kayani’s repute.
Quite ironic that, then, General Kayani had developed a good rapport with US army’s top brass including General David Petraeus and Admiral Micheal Mullen. He still commands respect in the US security establishment.
Now, Bajwa reportedly has struck an extremely friendly chord with the Chinese leadership, which too, typically is keen in the practice of continuity.
General Bajwa, who is also extremely eloquent with political economy and finances, has also won hearts and minds for his focus on “fundamental systemic reforms” that he considers vital for survival of the country.
The primary question facing him is: who will trust when the PM and the COAS renege on their public positions and thus perpetuate the bad precedents of the status quo? Let us see whether he accepts the extension and as to how many privileges he shuns to underline his commitment to the revamp of privileges’-based political economy. Will he set up a new precedent by divorcing a tradition that is coloured by personal interests than driven by strict adherence to principles?
