Pakistan’s battle between civilian govt, army high command
ISLAMABAD: On Saturday, former premier Nawaz Sharif backed Pakistan’s “missing” anti-establishment bloggers and commented that those “who spoke in favour of democracy should not be punished for it”.
This was the latest salvo fired in an apparent battle between Sharif and the army high command.
As things stand, the gloves are off. Since Sharif was ousted by the Supreme Court, a war of words has broken out between the elected government now led by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and the army high command.
Sharif blames the army for his ouster. In veiled references, he has said it was not the judiciary but other forces that didn’t let him complete his third term as premier.
In response, army chief Gen Qamar Bajwa rejected as “unfounded” the impression that his force was behind Sharif’s ouster and said he is a supporter of democracy.
The confrontation continues as one side blames the other for past wrongs and future mistakes. Leading the charge against the military and its allies are interior minister Ahsan Iqbal and foreign minister Khawaja Asif.
Soon after assuming his post in September, Asif acknowledged Pakistan needs to rein in terror groups to avoid “embarrassment” on the global stage, much to the anger of military circles.
This was followed by Iqbal not being allowed by Pakistan Rangers personnel to enter the anti-graft court where corruption cases against Sharif were being heard. The Rangers come under the interior ministry, so Iqbal was furious when he was barred.
It transpired that security at the court had been taken over by the military, which was deciding matters without the government’s knowledge.
In principle, the army has the high moral ground as it attacks the “corruption” of the Sharif family, while in the larger frame of things, there is hope of change in the power structure in favour of the civilian government.
“The army has pushed the civilian government too far. Now they are fighting back,” said Abid Hussain, an Islama- bad-based journalist.
Others disagree. “It is a battle for survival,” said Ejaz Haider, an analyst on a leading TV channel.
But in what was seen as a setback, former president Asif Zardari broke ranks with the Sharifs and demanded their family be arrested on graft charges.
And yet, others are hopeful Sharif will be able to break the cycle this time round.
“There is great pressure, and talk of a rift between the brothers Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif, or a forward bloc in the PML-N,” said an observer.
The former premier’s biggest strength is that he is from Punjab, the most politically important and populous province. “If there is anyone who can challenge the army, it is someone from Punjab,” said the observer.