Pakistan Army Chief, General Asim Munir’s sacking of challengers within the top military brass, consolidating his position and that of the army within the country’s polity indicates that stern measures may follow against civilian critics.
Two impending retirements this September may impact the army’s course unless the current incumbents choose to resign earlier. President Arif Alvi’s tenure ends on September 9 and Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Omar Ata Bandial is to retire on September 16.
The army’s most formidable political challenger is former Prime Minister Imran Khan, a ‘proxy’ and ‘protégé’ turned rebel who enjoys popular support. If Munir succeeds, this may be the end of the political road for Khan, at least for now.
To influence the public mind, the army is directly linking its current and future actions, to fight against militancy in which it says the army will continue to make sacrifices.”
President Arif Alvi left to perform the Hajj, his last as the Head of the State, on June 26, which media reports indicated was sudden. An Imran Khan appointee, Alvi opposed the Sharif Government’s various executive moves and sent back controversial bills.
The same day, Justice Bandial during the court proceedings directed that those under military trial should be provided with “full facilities” to defend themselves. He hoped that the trial would not be completed till the SC decides the appeal against them.
The ISPR Director General, Major General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, gave details of the trial under the Army Act of 102 civilians accused of participating in violence on May 9, when some key military establishments were attacked. He said those convicted would be free to appeal before the high court. The clear indications are that the trials are set to continue, no matter what the critics and human rights bodies at home and abroad say.
With a pliant Shehbaz Sharif government’s support, the army appears determined to continue its course of action against the individuals and the high offices they may be holding.
Although the ISPR declined to name anyone, the likely sacked general is former Lahore Corps Commander, Lt. Gen. Salman Fayyaz Ghani, under probe for allow-ing protesters to enter his house on May 9 amidst the violent protests that broke out after the arrest of PTI chairman Imran Khan, media reported. Ghani’s wife is Bandial’s first cousin. The two were next-door neighbours. Gen. Ghani is accused of ordering the gates open and allowing the protestors belonging to Khan’s PTI. When they ransacked the home and set a part of it on fire, media reports said, he and his family climbed a ladder and moved to the home of Bandial’s cousin.
Bandial ordered Khan’s release after his May 9 arrest saying: “Nice to meet you.” Now, his known critic, Justice Faez Isa has been appointed the successor, unusual-ly, several weeks in advance. Bandial is seen as supportive of Khan and his sup-porters, granting numerous bails.
Khan, who lost power in April 2022, has been sharply critical of the army’s role. He was opposed to Munir, whose elevation last November came amidst reports that several senior and middle-level brass in the army had been supportive of Khan, de-spite his criticism of the army. His disciplinary action against 17 others, including a major general and several brigadiers, ‘cleanses’ the army brass of Khan’s in-fluence.
This indicates that the break between Khan and Munir is complete. While attacking the army and Munir, Khan has gone public on his readiness to talk, also complain-ing that Munir has refused to meet him. The ISPR announcement speaks of the ‘planner’, an individual, of the May 9 violence. This indicates stringent action against Khan.
The May 9 attack provided the decisive moment for the army that, under Munir, has decided to keep Khan in the doghouse. Under clear military pressure, most top leaders of Khan’s PTI have deserted him and some have formed a rival party.
Of the many PTI leaders repeatedly detained despite their release, the release of PTI’s vice president Shah Mahmood Qureshi was reportedly facilitated by the ar-my. He has not quit PTI and he was used as a conduit to Khan. Qureshi, as per me-dia reports, conveyed to Khan that the latter would quit Pakistan, and probably join his family in London, failing which he could be jailed. Reports say Khan still thinks he is popular and refused. (Ends)