Time ‘real wielder of power’ Pak army left meddling in politics forever: Editorial

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Islamabad, Feb 23: Pakistan military’s recent remarks on elections acts as a reminder that for many in the country that it is still seen as the real wielder of power, and it is high time that the nation should decide who is actually in command and where orders are issued from, an editorial has said.

According to the editorial in the Express Tribune, the military denied making any effort to postpone polls or put a technocrat set-up in place.

The Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa, has said that rumours to this effect in the media are completely inaccurate, and the military has in, fact, consistently supported democracy for the past five years.

The editorial pointed out that the country needs to think what such comments mean and how they fit into the broader national picture.

The fact that the military has felt the need to make such a comment acts as a reminder that it is still a major power; the civilian set-up can operate only when it gives the go-ahead and approval.

The ISPR statement, in a way, acts to endorse this way of operating, the editorial said.

According to the editorial, just the fact that the military found it necessary to issue the comment is itself important, signalling where ‘real’ authority lies.

The paper stressed that this is something Pakistan need to work urgently towards, adding that the military has no role in politics.

The function of institutions is laid down clearly in the country’s Constitution, the editorial said.

It is essential that this document be adhered to by all quarters so that the structure of power can be maintained without ambiguity as to who is actually in command and who should issue all orders, it added. (ANI)