10-22-2005, 01:39 AM
I wouldn't dispute any of your claims on Turkey or the PA, unfortunatley PA is the only institution in the coutry that has some sort of semblance and discipline and professionalism, I compare them with the Civil services, democratic traditions, businesses. Well Journalism and Press have stepped up over the last few years but has to still go a long way.
As far as the wars are concerned and giving up is concerned, I will not blame the Army for that but the political head at each of the time (whether Civilian or Military).
Let's start with 1948 (when we agreed to the ceasefire despite the fact that another fortnight and the Indian Army would have marooned in the Kashmiri Winter- guilty Liaqut Ali Khan, or was he just naive thinking the UN could really help, as a student of history I see it his weak position within the Party and Government).
1965, technically its said that we started the war by crossing the line of control (however, I think since we never considered it as a border, we did nothing wrong). The only blunder on part of Ayub was going in too early,. the Kahsmiris were not ready in 65 to mount an insurgency, Ayub was just 15 years ahead of his time,. or perhaps it was his dream of becoming another Qasim or Ghaznavi! We didn't actually loose any thing on the techincal side, Ayub used the war in itself as a rallying point for the masses and lifted the spirit of the Army (who were not sure how they would play to an adversary thrice their size). As a result of the War the Army got to modernise its weaponary. So I'd say 65 was a no win no loose for either side. It was AYUB Who agreed to the ceasefire (Head of govt. not the Pakistan Army) ofcourse he had to pay the price by handing over his Government to another General.
1971,. again a military dictator called the shots in cahoots with Zulfikar Bhutto and other Landed gentry of West Pakistan and got themselves in the quagmire of the Fall of Dhaka ! I guess there is no question here about who called the shots. We lost more than a province in 1971 we lost most of Pakistan! who to blame ? not the army, the President of Pakistan, the leader of the opposition party in Minority and the Civil services - Land lord nexus.
1999 - Kargil, we are not sure who started what ? but we do know it was a civillian head os state who signed on the dotted line during his break fast in Washington !
So its not about the Army in its professional out fit, but the people who have been on top and made decisions becuase they knew they would never be brought to task, never brought to justice.
I feel the Turkey model is the most suited for us, it will atleast keep the Generals away and who better to put it together than one of their own. You must appreciate the fact that until the 8th ammendment the Army dare not remove a civilian government !
As far as the wars are concerned and giving up is concerned, I will not blame the Army for that but the political head at each of the time (whether Civilian or Military).
Let's start with 1948 (when we agreed to the ceasefire despite the fact that another fortnight and the Indian Army would have marooned in the Kashmiri Winter- guilty Liaqut Ali Khan, or was he just naive thinking the UN could really help, as a student of history I see it his weak position within the Party and Government).
1965, technically its said that we started the war by crossing the line of control (however, I think since we never considered it as a border, we did nothing wrong). The only blunder on part of Ayub was going in too early,. the Kahsmiris were not ready in 65 to mount an insurgency, Ayub was just 15 years ahead of his time,. or perhaps it was his dream of becoming another Qasim or Ghaznavi! We didn't actually loose any thing on the techincal side, Ayub used the war in itself as a rallying point for the masses and lifted the spirit of the Army (who were not sure how they would play to an adversary thrice their size). As a result of the War the Army got to modernise its weaponary. So I'd say 65 was a no win no loose for either side. It was AYUB Who agreed to the ceasefire (Head of govt. not the Pakistan Army) ofcourse he had to pay the price by handing over his Government to another General.
1971,. again a military dictator called the shots in cahoots with Zulfikar Bhutto and other Landed gentry of West Pakistan and got themselves in the quagmire of the Fall of Dhaka ! I guess there is no question here about who called the shots. We lost more than a province in 1971 we lost most of Pakistan! who to blame ? not the army, the President of Pakistan, the leader of the opposition party in Minority and the Civil services - Land lord nexus.
1999 - Kargil, we are not sure who started what ? but we do know it was a civillian head os state who signed on the dotted line during his break fast in Washington !
So its not about the Army in its professional out fit, but the people who have been on top and made decisions becuase they knew they would never be brought to task, never brought to justice.
I feel the Turkey model is the most suited for us, it will atleast keep the Generals away and who better to put it together than one of their own. You must appreciate the fact that until the 8th ammendment the Army dare not remove a civilian government !