‘Army out of Pak civil role has no meaning’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Army Chief General Kayani’s actions to depoliticise the army — asking his officers not to indulge in politics and moving back all those working in civil departments on deputation, is unlikely to yield results since the notorious ISI, which is accused of manipulating national politics, is exempt.

The first order Kayani issued to his officers was against holding meetings with politicians without seeking his prior approval. Kayani’s order was in the backdrop of a meeting of the Corps Commander Lahore with President Musharraf in Lahore.

Kayani not only sought an explanation from Lt General Shafaatullah Shah but also made it a policy decision to discourage this practice in future. The second decision was to withdraw 3,000 officers including Major Generals, Brigadiers, Lieutenant Colonels and Captains from 23 civilian departments. However, the irony is both these directives are not applicable to the ISI, often described as a state within the state.

Critics say Kayani’s directives are meaningless unless the ISI is not made to stay away from politics. Not long ago, being the ISI chief, Kayani had himself been involved in political hobnobbing with Benazir Bhutto in London on behalf of Musharraf.

Though ISI has been involved in politics since the 70s, it is the internal wing of the ISI responsible to deal with political affairs. Therefore, critics insist, Kayani should not only ensure the charter of the ISI is amended to exclude politics, a mechanism should also be evolved to ensure oversight by the Parliament to keep it within its charter.