Pakistan Army's Grip on National Narrative
Since its independence, the Pakistan Army has cultivated the
idea that it is the nation’s ultimate protector against its "eternal
enemy," India. This narrative has been deeply ingrained in the public
consciousness, allowing the Army to extend its influence far beyond military
affairs and into the economic and business sectors of the country. The people
of Pakistan, conditioned by this belief, have largely accepted the Army's
dominant role in both governance and commerce.
IMF's Role in Breaking the Economic Stranglehold
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) must now demand that
the Pakistan Army relinquish its stranglehold on the nation’s economy if
Pakistan hopes to break free from its chronic economic crises. On September 12,
the IMF announced that its Board of Directors would meet on September 25 to
discuss a potential $7 billion support program for Pakistan, aimed at
stabilizing the country's macroeconomic situation over the next three years.
This will mark the 24th time the IMF has intervened to bail
out Pakistan since its founding. Although an agreement between the IMF and the
Pakistani government was reached in July, delays ensued as the IMF awaited
additional funding commitments from Pakistan's traditional donors. The delay
was met with frustration by some Pakistani officials, who accused the IMF of
pursuing a political agenda, despite the Fund's insistence that it was merely
waiting for Pakistan to uphold previous commitments.
Temporary Relief, But No Real Change
In the meantime, Pakistan has received a boost in credit
ratings from agencies like Moody’s and Fitch, while its stock exchanges have
seen a rise in response to the expected IMF aid. However, this is merely a
temporary reprieve. The real issue lies in Pakistan’s unwillingness to adopt
fundamental social, political, and foreign policy changes necessary for
sustainable economic growth. Unless Pakistan's ruling elite, particularly its
military, acknowledges the need for such reforms, the country’s economic instability
will persist.
Pakistan Army's Hollow Claims
For meaningful change, the Pakistan Army must abandon its
anti-India agenda and allow the nation’s political and business elites to act
more responsibly. Unfortunately, there is no indication that the Army is
prepared to shift its approach. Despite this, military spokespersons continue
to make grand claims about the Army's supposed contributions to the economy, as
was seen during a September 5 press conference by the Director-General of the
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry.
Chaudhry claimed that the Army had reduced its financial
demands from 1.9% to 1.7% of the GDP despite inflation and highlighted the
taxes and duties paid by the Army's economic entities. However, these
statements ring hollow, as the Pakistan Army has grown into the nation’s
largest business conglomerate, benefiting primarily its officers, both serving
and retired. The Army’s involvement in economic affairs has made it a leech
draining the country’s resources, to the detriment of the wider population.
The Army's Political Intrigue and Accountability Farce
Chaudhry’s September 5 press conference also covered two
other key issues: the ongoing court martial of Lt Gen Faiz Hameed (Retd),
former Director-General of ISI, and the situation in Balochistan. On the matter
of Hameed, Chaudhry praised the Army’s “robust” system of accountability,
claiming it applies equally to serving and retired personnel. However, the
Pakistani Army’s accountability measures are widely viewed as a farce,
especially given the Army’s deep involvement in politics. Hameed’s court martial
is likely more a consequence of the ongoing power struggle between former Prime
Minister Imran Khan and current Army Chief Gen Asim Munir.
Balochistan and Shifting the Blame
Regarding Balochistan, Chaudhry attempted to shift blame for
the ongoing terrorism there onto civilian authorities, suggesting that the
Army’s role is limited to "kinetic" actions, such as clearing areas
of terrorists. According to him, it is up to the civil administration to build
and fortify state institutions. However, this narrative follows the Army’s
standard playbook, designed to deflect responsibility for the failures in
combating terrorism.
Chaudhry also blamed Afghanistan for rising terrorism,
citing the presence of terrorist camps and the involvement of Afghan nationals
in attacks. He pointed to the American military’s leftover weapons as another
source of Pakistan’s terrorism woes. Despite the Army’s initial celebration of
the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan, this victory is now proving to be
a hollow one, with escalating security issues in Pakistan.
The Need for the Army to Step Aside
Ultimately, Chaudhry’s most telling remark was his
suggestion that, while the Army can fight terrorists, the battle against
terrorism must be waged by the entire nation. If this is true, the Pakistan
Army should relinquish its hold on the country’s security policies and return
to the barracks. However, given its entrenched corporate interests, this is
unlikely to happen. The Army remains deeply invested in maintaining its
economic and political dominance, to the detriment of Pakistan’s overall
stability.
A Moment of Reckoning
Chaudhry’s press conference epitomized the double-speak,
blame-shifting, and hypocrisy that have long defined the Pakistan Army. As the
country prepares for its 24th IMF bailout, the question remains: will
Pakistan’s military establishment finally step back and allow for the economic
reforms necessary for genuine growth? Or will the Army continue to pursue its
narrow interests, leaving Pakistan’s economy in perpetual crisis? Only time
will tell, but the need for change has never been clearer
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