Lieutenant General Syed Asim Munir is the Seventeenth Chief of Army Staff duly recommended by General Qamar Javed Bajwa, whose extended tenure ended with hue and cry. The military in Pakistan is considered the most powerful institution in a nation, seldom far from its next crisis and considering Pakistan's fragile democracy. Since 75 years of independence and its creation out of the partition, the military has seized power three times using Military-de-Coup and ruled the Islamic republic for about three decades and involved in three decades of terrorist insurgencies. Pakistan’s Generals hold dominant power over security matters and foreign affairs, even when civil government is in charge. Has the selection of the new chief done with the aim of maintaining legacy of its predecessors? In this article we analyse the legacy of Pak Army Chiefs.
How is a Chief Appointed in Pakistan Army? The outgoing chief handovers and recommends the prime minister a list of senior-most generals to choose from. Among them a suitable general is selected considering the interest of Pakistan (supposedly). Generally, the tenure of Army Chief is of three years, but they often get extensions, as in case of previous chief Bajwa. The General had made a mockery of military service and law. Pakistan military had assured people of Pakistan that Bajwa will retire this time after completing his extension of service, but speculations were raised that he may get another extension citing latest political and economic ructions in Pakistan. Luckily, some sense prevailed and he retired on 29 November 2022.
Why does Pakistan Army derive So Much Power in Democracy? The military in Pakistan has dominated since its inception in 1947 over all matters concerning Political and economic affairs. Till 1977, the nation had already witnessed two Military-De-Coups and five more were in the pipeline. Pakistan army has ruled for nearly half of its 75 years of independence. Similarly, each elected government has suffered a massive blow in the form of Military-De-Coup. Only once in the history, Pakistan's elected government was able to complete its tenure and could transfer power to another government. People have faith in Pakistan Army as they were made to believe that they got a raw deal during partition. The political will i.e. Muslim League, which could have strengthened democratic institutions, couldn’t sustain the pressure and was found weaker than Indian National Congress. It created a void for minorities in East Pakistan and didn’t pay much attention to their concerns. By 1970, Pakistan had already fought three wars with India in which they suffered massive defeat physically as well as morally, By that time ‘Jihad’ had found its official voice, the country’s social and economic graph was diminishing and political parties were unable to draw any inspiration. It is being said “When other machinery of state fails, the Judiciary prevails”, but when even the Judiciary failed to uphold the Constitution, it led the command to the armed forces.
Pakistan has had sixteen Army chiefs till now, out of which two were Britishers and fourteen were of Pak Origin. There were instances when Army Chiefs attempted Military-De-Coup, tenure was extended for more than usual and only a selected unfortunate couldn’t complete their tenure. The tenure of all Pakistan Chief’s and their legacy has been summarized chronologically.
General Frank Messervy (Aug 1947- Feb 1948), a Britisher was first to hold this position, However he was sacked by Jinnah after refusing to carry out orders during First Kashmir Conflict between India and Pakistan. His Successor Gen Douglas Gracey (Feb 1948 – Jan 1951) did the same until his retirement.
General Ayub Khan (Jun 1951- Oct 1958), was the first native Pakistani Commander-in-Chief and just three months before his tenure ended, deposed President Iskander Mirza in a Military Coup to become President. General Mohd Musa (Oct 1958 – Sep 1966), was appointed by General Ayub Khan, who oversaw 1965 Indo-Pak war over disputed areas in Gujarat & Kashmir. He received two extensions as Commander-in-Chief from 1958 until 1966. General Yahya Khan (March 1969 – Dec 1971), was fifth Commander-in-Chief and third President of Pakistan. He rose to rank of Commander-in-chief after 1965 Indo-Pak war despite Pak suffering humiliating defeat. Ayub Khan handed over the presidency to Gen Yahya Khan in 1969 when his popularity dipped down due to mass unrest in East Pakistan. Yahya khan was considered as ruthless, uncompromising, insensitive and grossly inept leader. He ordered ‘Operation Search Light’ in order to suppress Bengali liberation movement in East Pakistan. General Yahya Khan oversaw 1971 Indo-Pak war, suffering a massive defeat resulting into liberation of East Pakistan and division of Pakistan. General Gul Hassan (Dec 1971- Mar 1972), was sixth Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan. After 1971 Indo-Pak war, President Bhutto appointed him Army Chief. He was Director General of Military Operations during 1971 Indo-Pak war and allegedly approved operations in East Pakistan. He lessened the role of Inter-Services-Intelligence and relied on Intelligence Bureau for intelligence inputs, which lead to Inter-Services-Intelligence (ISI) reporting directly to President Bhutto. Due to his incompetency and involvement in East Pakistan massacre he was fired by Bhutto. General Tikka Khan (Mar 1972 – Mar 1976), was appointed as Chief of Army Staff by Bhutto after sacking Gul Hassan Khan in 1972. He along with Yahya Khan is considered as chief architect of ‘1971 Bangladesh Genocide’ which led to death of three to five lakh people.
General Zia-ul-Haq (Jul 1977 – Mar 1985), was promoted to top rank by Bhutto in 1977 by superseding seven Lieutenant Generals, who in turn deposed Bhutto in a Military Coup to become sixth President of Pakistan. He died under suspicious circumstances in 1988. General Mirza Aslam Beg (Aug 1988 – Aug 1991), was appointed as Army chief following sudden demise of Gen Zia-ul-Haq. He was charged with financing Islamic Democratic Alliance and Vote Rigging during his tenure. General Asif Januja (Aug 1991 – Jan 1993), was fourth Chief of Army Staff whose tenure was cut short as he died due to Arsenic Poisoning. The autopsy conducted indicated presence of large amount of Arsenic which resulted in Cardiac arrest. Bennazir Bhutto claimed his death as Political murder and blamed Nawaz Sharrif responsible for it. General Abdul Waheed Kakkar (Jan 1993 – Jan 1996), was appointed by then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharrif after death of Gen Januja. He superseded five senior generals to become Pakistan Army Chief. He finished his tenure timely. General Jehangir Karamat (Jan 1996 – Oct 1998), was selected by Nawaz Sharrif as Sixth Chief of Army Staff. On 06 Oct 1998, Karamat was forcibly relieved from his Chief command by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharrif over a disagreement on National Security and reforms of the Intelligence Community.
General Parvez Musharaff (Oct 1998 – Nov 2007), was seventh Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan and tenth president of Pakistan after the successful military takeover of the federal government in 1999. Musharraf was leading strategist behind Kargil Conflict. He ordered the secret infiltration of forces into Kashmir. In March 2000, he banned all political rallies. On 03 Nov 2007 Musharraf declared emergency across Pakistan. He suspended constitution and fired chief justice of Supreme Court. In Islamabad troops entered supreme court building, arrested the judges and kept them detained in their homes. In 2008, he was impeached and went into exile. General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani (Nov 2007- Nov 2013), took over the baton from Musharraf. He received a three years extension as Chief of Army Staff in 2010 and retired after six years as chief. General Raheel Sharif (Nov 2013 – Nov 2016), was favourite among Pro Jihadis as he gave shelter to Massod Azhar and Hafiz Saeed who were mastermind behind terrorist attack in India. He had tenure for only three years.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa (Nov 2016 – Nov 2022), was sixteenth Chief of Army Staff of Pakistan. 2018 General Elections were labeled dirtiest elections in Pakistan history during Gen Bajwa tenure, as he was accused of manipulating the elections and engineering a victory for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf over army's challenger Pakistan Muslim League (N). Two weeks after Pakistan Army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa’s tenure ended, a report revealed a sharp rise in the wealth of his close family members in a span of six years. He oversaw Balakot air strike. What is in Pipeline for General Munir? In what category will General Munir fall? Will he be as dynamic as Mushra for as corrupt as Bajwa or as docile as Sharif. Being ex Director General of Inter-Services-Intelligence (ISI), he carries a burden of expectation from the military as well as terrorist organisations. With the deteriorating economic condition of Pakistan, the chief may also have to decide which side does Pakistan sways i.e. towards China or towards the USA. We shall know in due course of time.
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