Ashfaq Kayani’s separation of army and state

Pakistani Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani reportedly snubbed his core commanders who had argued that an army takeover had become inevitable in the prevailing situation as the country was fast descending into chaos.

According to The News, the incident took place during the last meeting of the Corps Commanders’ held on September 8 in Rawalpindi. It was presided over by Kayani. According to informed sources, quite a few participants of the meeting thought a military takeover was the only way to steer the country out of its multiple crises. But Kayani, together with some others, urged restraint and patience, saying that the civilian government should be given more time to tackle the issues. As no press release was issued after the meeting it created confusion, as the decision to issue no handout was unprecedented. But journalists were told through military sources that it was done to avoid any criticism of the army for being overtly vocal on the Karachi situation.

Incidentally, Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, during a visit to Karachi last week, said that if the government failed to deliver, others would take over — an oblique reference to the army.

Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, during the hearing of the Karachi suo moto case, asked the civilian government to deliver. The men in uniform have always used the breakdown in law and order as an excuse to send democratic governments pa-cking, the chief justice said.