Pak Tea House » Opinion » Challenge the Hegemony of the Pak-Army

Challenge the Hegemony of the Pak-Army

January 30th, 2012 | 14 Comments

By Danish Khan:

In the apprentice of political economy, there are distinct theories to elucidate the lack of development in the developing countries. Some political economists point towards the colonial days to trace back the roots of the contemporary social and political institutions of the developing countries, while others rest blame on the geography of the developing world, and the variance to the doctrine of the free market capitalism as some of the possible sources of the nuance. The inclusion and the close examination of the social and political institutions of the developing countries are certainly worth discussing, while I cannot say same about the other posed explanations. One of the few possible explanations of the developing countries to being socially, politically and economically astern are their historical “extractive colonial institutions” which were established during the colonial times, and in most developing countries, they have stayed alive and functional in one way or other, even after the official withdrawal of the former colonial powers. Colossal wealth disparity, lack of modern infrastructure, and the diminutive industrialization are some of the cardinal features which have differentiated these countries from the developed part of the world. Certainly, I find legitimacy and rationale in this “institutional” framework explanation to understand the lack of development in most developing countries, and especially in Pakistan. Comprehending the contemporary abject situation of Pakistan in the paradigm of the “Extractive Colonial Institutions” certainly helps us to understand this complex phenomenon of persistent under-development in Pakistan.

The abysmal socio-economic conditions in Pakistan are not a mere result of certain dissolute and adulterate politicians in power, although they are a part of the problem, but not a core problem. In Pakistan, the mainstream media and right-wing political parties tend to amalgamate all the problems in one basket, and then they dump that basket on the democratically elected government or generally on the politicians of the country. While during all this ambiguous and miserable socio-economic situation of the country, one institution of the country allays itself, and it is able to keep itself insulated from the brutal criticism of the mainstream media and the mainstream political parties. To not make it a riddle, I am talking about the Pakistani Army, if one institution that can help us in rationalizing the contemporary socio-politico and economic conditions of Pakistan; it would be none other than the Pak Army.

Although most liberals in Pakistan strongly condemn Martial Law, and any interference of military in the political affairs, but not many liberal commentators risk to go beyond this popular stance. By that I am referring to the fact that, military certainly makes things worse off by disrupting political process and violating the constitutional framework, but even during the epoch of the civil rule, when there is democratically elected government, military continues to play the integral role in formulating the socio-economic and foreign policy of the country. And this hegemonic power runs on the blood and sweat of the people of the Pakistan, figures vary around depending on the source, but most statisticians, politicians and economists would agree that around 75 percent of the national budget goes in to the tummies of the military of Pakistan. Furthermore, the huge sum of US dollars ends up in the hands of the army, and it makes the Pak Army one of the supreme and fortified post-colonial institutions of the country. The Army of Pakistan is not just an army anymore, it has become a one of the most powerful and hegemonic social, political and financial institution of the country. One might say, what’s wrong with that? Well, the constitution of the country, clearly defines concrete role of the army, and according to constitution, army is not supposed to be a real estate enterprise and those who have read Ayesha Siddiqa’s Military Inc., they do know what I am talking about. When military of a country turns in to Military Incorporated, then it should be imminent to the rational people from where the problems are originating. The narration of completely flawed and lethargic ideologies like, “Two Nation theory”, and “a persistent threat from our neighboring state India” have been the popular rhetoric of the military, and they have launched their political wing in the form of religious parties and ISI, and the right-wing religious forces second every single notion made by the Pak Army, and they spread and impose the word of the army on average citizen by amalgamating it with the religious sentiments of the people.

The assiduous people of Pakistan are sick and tired of their fathomless lives; it is quite pleasing and apposite that most folks in Pakistan are demanding a change. But unfortunately, the mainstream political parties, and the newly emerging political force like Tehreek-e-Insaaf are not challenging a status quo by questioning the social and political role of the military. On contrary, they are focusing on the peripheral issues, i.e. corruption, Zardari, etc. Thus, anybody who understands the socio-economic structure of the country finds it nothing but a mere rhetoric when Tehreek-e-Insaaf shouts out for a change and revolution. The change cannot be realized in Pakistan, unless the hegemony and absolute power of the military is not challenged. The dismal lives of the people of Pakistan cannot be altered, unless we transform and substitute the “extractive colonial institutions” with our own new institutions. The people of Pakistan cannot afford to write a hefty check to the military of the Pakistan to venture in to real estate, and other business ventures, i.e. cement industry, cereal industry, etc. It is the time that oppressed and downtrodden masses of the country challenge the extractive institutions which have been the dominant source of their distress and affliction. In our contemporary political situation of the country, it is only possible through a grass-root social and political movement of the tyrannized and exploited classes.

Danish Khan is a social and political activist, and a final year student at University of Utah, US, studying Economics and International Studies.

Written by admin

Filed under: Opinion · Tags: country, Danish Khan, Pakistan, political

14 Responses to "Challenge the Hegemony of the Pak-Army"

observ says:

January 30, 2012 at 4:02 pm

The pak army is a staunchly grimacing sunni-fascist brigand defending sunni fascism and its own elite and own history-writing. You cannot challenge its might without questioning islam.
wonderer says:

January 30, 2012 at 6:31 pm

A well written and thoughtful piece. As things stand presently there is no way army can be forced into changing its ways, The conduct of the army is such as to ensure what, in its view, is good for the army. The change will come when the army realizes that what is good for the country is also good for the army. And that will happen only when the irrational fear of India is got rid of. That should be easy because India has too much on its hands to bother about destabilizing Pakistan, which in itself can be dangerous. India has only to be prepared to protect itself, mainly from China.
rex minor says:

January 31, 2012 at 12:20 am

A well written and well intentioned, but the grassroot social and political movement of the tyranised and exploited classes could correct army performance. Not very practical!

Pakistan army institution needs reforms to Nationalise its face. Loyalty to the country and no longer affiliation with their regiments colonial history. Reduce its size but not the performane integating more technical innovations, privatising non military related ventures, Increase the number of factories to produce weaponary for exports, expand the aeronautical engineering facilities for a mass production of drones for export to the USA at a competitive price, etc etc. If the military is incurring a 75 % of the total budget then they should operate the Pentagon way!

Rex Minor
Bilal Ahmad says:

January 31, 2012 at 12:34 am

Good info danish.
Azwer Ali says:

January 31, 2012 at 1:47 am

To my mind, the only way to tame this undoubtedly strong institution is though political reform….PTI is a hope that when it would come to power, it would try to maintain its popularity by better governance and thus would be in a position to take a stand against the military(one example would be Turkey,where AK Party has tamed the military by maintaining its popularity) and if PTI cant do it…someone else would have to. It is also my personal understanding that a right wing party has a better chance of weakening the army than a left wing or liberal party as the “usual propaganda” works much better against a liberal party.
Challenge the Hegemony of the Pak-Army | Tea Break says:

January 31, 2012 at 3:25 am

[...] Challenge the Hegemony of the Pak-Army [...]
Mustafa says:

January 31, 2012 at 1:11 pm

The military DOES NOT take 75% of the budget, this is a bold faced lie. The military budget is much less than that , comes to 17% or something.
KMR Overseas says:

February 1, 2012 at 3:26 am

@ Mustafa, now u lie 17%!!!!!! lol
Amjad Cheema says:

February 1, 2012 at 5:11 am

PTI is the product of aabparaindustry to procrastinate its hegemony. The problem is the fascist evil ideolgy born in the tribal culture of seventh century arabian peninsula which is utterly alien to to the future of mankind. The people lije IK & company have been taught lies for the last 1400 years, it would probably take another 1400 years to teach them humanity.
Rasool Dawood David Gilani Hadley Coleman G says:

February 1, 2012 at 5:28 am

PTI & Arabi Green GMasti have one solid thing in common. Both are founded by Beti Ch0ds – that too Jewish Betis.
Hassan Sadiq says:

February 2, 2012 at 2:05 pm

“but most statisticians, politicians and economists would agree that around 75 percent of the national budget goes in to the tummies of the military of Pakistan”

When an Econ Grad to be cannot analyse the federal budget and calculate defence expenditure as a portion of the total budget outlay then one shouldnt take the rest of his political arguments very seriously. My dear writer and the other over zealous contributors to the comments section Defence Expenditure is 16% of the total budget outlay for the year 2011-12. In Actual terms it comes out 500 Billion Rs and total budget for the year 3125 Billion Rs. these numbers are freely available on the Ministry of Finance website. So lets debunk this fallacy of 75% and talk about facts.

The Army has been corrupt and beyond accountability it has usurped power many times but to claim that democracy in Pakistan has not flourished because of the Army is a self fulfilling prophecy, we dont have a democratic culture in this country and frankly we dont want to have one, to call these current set of politicians democratic is a joke at best.

We are a country which survives to empower and embolden the elite and that elite includes, Army, Politicians, beauracracy, Industrialists, agriculturalists so the issue is not one of a civil – military imbalance but one of the Haves making sure the Have Nots never rise up. Every once in a while the Haves seem to bicker over who gets the bigger piece of the pie and that charade is played out via the cries for supremacy of parliament over the barracks ringing out in the land of the pure.

If you truly believed in the supremacy of parliament you would know that democracy is based on the basic principle of self accountability the very idea of possessing moral authority through the mandate of the people. 45% Bogus votes, 50% parlimentarians dont pay tax and 1/3 of the assembly sitting with fake degrees cannot claim moral authority over the all powerful army. You want the army to stop meddling provide the governance that the people need the army doesnt stop you from educating the people, it doesnt stop you from ensuring health for the people, it doesnt stop you from collecting taxes, it doesnt stop you from solving circular debt, it doesnt stop you from reducing the size of the federal cabinet, it doesnt ask you to have 64 Ministers in an assembly with 65 parliamentarians (Balochistan Assembly) so please this plea for democracy is an asinine suggestion in a country where the politicans and the people have no value of what this concept entails.
PARIS BIENNIAL LAUREATE AND SENIOR ADVOCATE SUPREME COURT SYYED MOHUMMED JAWAID IQBAL JAFREE OF SLARPORE, BRIGHTON, PACIFIC PALISADES AND SUMMASATTA says:

February 4, 2012 at 8:06 pm

Hypocrisy and Hype are the root-causes for all Hegemonies and privatization of Fiefdoms operating ion Pakistan. We must exorcize Double Standards, in stead of em[pty rhetoric and pompous sermonizations.
Muhammad says:

February 10, 2012 at 3:48 am

No one can dare to challege this aabpara industry in this land of pure, have u not seen what they did to Salim Shahzad
Jkpnp85 says:

March 12, 2012 at 8:36 am

Good analyses keep it up