THE phrase ‘all recorded history is contemporaneous’ applies to Nawaz Sharif’s current situation. The civil-military relationship has always been a bumpy one. There is no denying the fact that striking a balance in civil-military relations will pave the way for political stability and efficient management of external and internal security and the economic paradigm.

Taking a dispassionate view of civil-military relations across the world, the situation in Thailand, Burkina Faso and Egypt serves as an eye-opener. In the face of a divided polity, and charges of rigging and mismanagement, the military took over and the situation deteriorated drastically rather than showing an improvement.

What are the major irritants that cause the wider civil-military rift in Pakistan’s case? Of late, relations with India and Afghanistan, security matters and militant outfits, human rights, and a trust deficit owing to backdoor diplomacy and the Dawn Leaks saga are major debilitating factors.

Why has Pakistan been unable to achieve friction-free civ-mil relations? The answer is simple: the blame lies with both. The military regime’s insatiable appetite for unwarranted engagement in civilian and political affairs, in the name of national interest, and the civilian dispensations’ lack of performance have created an imbroglio.

This rift has resulted in political and democratic discontinuity and a divided polity in the face of grave domestic challenges and foreign policy dynamics. The summoning of security forces in ‘aid of civil power’ on the pretext of handling sociopolitical unrest, administrative functions and disasters, has culminated in a governance vacuum and demise of professionalism on the part of the forces.

Circumstances demand an immediate détente between the civil and military establishments.

The military needs to commit to eliminating the causes of terrorism and extremism, and redefine Pakistan’s internal and external security profiles dispassionately. Otherwise this chasm will only serve the purposes of the enemy both within and without.

The penchant for uncalled-for criticism of the military establishment by some federal ministers is detrimental to an amiable relationship. The military needs to support the government in formulating and implementing decisions both domestically and regionally. It needs to focus on counterterrorism efforts and professionalism, and its input in security-related matters should be heard.

The government and the public must acknowledge the sacrifices rendered by the forces in safeguarding the state from collapse. The political forces should realise their responsibilities enshrined in the Constitution and steer the state out of the brewing crisis.

Saeedullah Khan Wazir

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2017