This monitor is meant to identify key developments during
the month on Civil Military Relations in Pakistan with selected high-profile
international developments included occasionally.
In this Issue:
- Defence Minister only a facilitator, not
boss of Pakistan Defence Organization, says Pakistan’s Minister of Defence
- COAS attends meeting of the Senate Committee
of the Whole
- Khawaja Saad Rafique’s Statement and Response
by DG ISPR
- Members of the Standing Committees on Defence
visit LoC
- National Security Advisor meets former Premier?
- PM Abbasi visits deep sea with Pakistan Navy
- 206th Corps Commanders’ Conference
- Continuing Role of COAS in Foreign Affairs
- Pakistan Army’s Public Relations Activities
- 23rd Meeting of National Command
Authority
- National Security Committee Meeting
- PM, COAS meet Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman to discuss
FATA reforms
- Land allotted to Army to move GHQ to Islamabad
- Army Chief Visits his Hometown: Announces
construction of a Stadium
- PM-COAS Interactions
- Philippine Navy Chief sacked in surprise
move
Minister only a facilitator, not boss of Pakistani defence organization, says
Pakistan’s Minister of Defence
On December 30, Federal Minister of Defence, Engr. Khurram
Dastgir Khan, MNA, made highly significant pronouncements on civil-military
relations and the role of Minister of Defence.
Talking to Mr. Saleem Safi in his talk show Jirga,
Mr. Khan said that there is indeed ‘tanao‘ or tension in civil military
relations in Pakistan. He also said that Defence Minister is not the boss or
in-charge of Defence Organization, as is the diktat of the Constitution; that
Defence Minister is merely a facilitator at best and most of the time even marginalised
at that, while Prime Minister directly deals with leadership of the Armed Forces.
Some of the key excerpts paraphrased below from his interview are:
- We [PML-N] have learnt that individually good relations between Services
Chiefs and PM do not solve issues in civil-military relations. There have
to be good inter-institutional relations
- We have to “search for truth in facts;” that while the Constitution is
an ideal and inspiration but facts, on the ground, are different
- National Security Committee (NSC) is perhaps the best forum for dialogue
on civil-military relations and now we [PML-N Government] are using it more
regularly
- PML-N party leader Nawaz Sharif felt that merely winning the next election
would be meaningless unless “awam ka haq-i-hakmiat” or the people’s
right to rule was not established and accepted. PML-N will go to the next
General Election with the manifesto of supremacy of people
- When asked what is the minor difference of opinion on foreign relations
between the civilian Government and the Armed Forces, he said that they
are absolutely on the same page as far as relations with the US are concerned
but on Afghanistan there are minor issues. He rather profoundly said that
” ham bar bar yeh clarity chahtey hain Afwaj-e-Pakistan sey keh jo
kuch bhi Afghanistan mein ho raha hai, us ka koi ta’aluq Pakistan sey nahin
hona chahiyey .”
It is difficult to recall a more candid interview by a Pakistani
Defence minister on the subject of civil-military relations. This is a sensitive
and serious matter, seldom discussed in the open by a sitting Defence Minister
in the past, leading the country to an almost definitive but discomforting conclusion
that civil-military relations may be moving towards an era of ‘open warfare’.
No country can allow such tensions between State institutions or between popular
political parties and the security establishment, especially given the prevailing
tense relations with a superpower and some neighbouring countries.
of the Senate Committee of the Whole
On December 19, in an in-camera session of the Senate Committee
of the Whole, DG MO Major General Sair Shamshad Mirza, briefed the Senate upon
the invitation extended by the Chairman Senate, while the COAS answered queries
of the Senators.[1] According
to the Senate of Pakistan, the in-camera meeting was held ” to prepare
policy guidelines in the light of the emerging regional realities ” as
well as ” to deliberate upon the emerging national security paradigm for
Pakistan specially with respect to the recent foreign visits of the Chief of
Army Staff and other recent developments in this regard .” The briefing
was attended by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) along with the DG MO, DG MI,
DG ISI and DG ISPR. [2]
While the briefing was in-camera, news media reported details
through various quotes from the DG ISPR as well as a number of Senators who
were part of the briefing. The meeting, we are told, lasted for over three hours,
in which first the COAS “gave an overview which was followed by a detailed presentation
by Major General Sair Shamshad Mirza, DG MO.” After the presentation, the COAS
“personally answered the questions asked by the Members which touched upon all
areas of national interest and security,” as per the Senate website.
In recent history, Gen. Bajwa is the second COAS to have come
to Parliament for a briefing following such a briefing by the erstwhile COAS
Kayani and then-DG ISI Lt. Gen. Pasha who briefed joint session of the Parliament
in May 2011 after the killing of Osama bin Ladin in the Abbottabad operation.
In terms of personally answering the questions of the parliamentarians or any
of its committee, Gen. Bajwa’s may be regarded as the first of its kind.
That the COAS briefed a house of the Parliament is both a
good development and also brings home the stark reality of the miles Pakistan’s
democratic oversight of defence have to travel to follow the norm in other developed
democracies. The fanfare with which the COAS was received was almost similar
to a head of a State opening the Parliament in Pakistan or in other democracies.
Such appearances are common and usual occurrence in democracies such as UK [3]and
next-door India[4] where heads
and representatives of respective defence forces regularly appear before their
relevant Parliamentary committees to both brief them and answer their questions.
The Parliament and Pakistan’s democratic order need to efficiently and speedily
evolve in a manner that such briefings should be a normal and regular occurrence
by the relevant Parliamentary Committees and not at the level of Joint Session
or one house of Parliament.
In an awkward though familiar pattern, as experienced after
previous in-camera sessions of the Parliament, instantly, after the meeting,
various quotes and information from the session flashed on the media, thus proving
the age-old wariness of the security leadership towards politicians that they
can not be trusted with sensitive national security information. This breach
formed the basis of the Dawn Leaks story and its investigation. Parliament and
Parliamentary committees must win and maintain trust of security establishments,
in order to carry out an effective and efficient oversight of defence and security
sector, an advice that comes from established democracies including the British
Parliament. Similar advice was given to a Pakistani delegation, that included
Honourable Senator and now Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani, as well as Senator
Mushahid Hussain Sayed, Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Defence, by Rt.
Hon. Sir Malcom Rifkind, chair of the UK Intelligence and Security Committee,
during a PILDAT facilitated Study Visit to UK. Mr. Rifkind
said that winning and maintaining trust is extremely important
irrespective of what the law says adding that since its formation, there has
never been any ‘leak’ from the ISC with regard to information provided by the
intelligence services to the Committee. While it is important for Security establishment
to know that it has to answer questions asked by the Parliament and its Committees,
“a relationship based on mutual trust” also has to be cultivated. [5]
It is, therefore, commendable that Senator Rabbani has taken the leaks from
the in-camera session seriously and has referred the matter to the House Business
Advisory Committee for probe. [6]
Statement and Response by DG ISPR
Khwaja Saad Rafique’s statement on December 24 generated a
great deal of heat and controversy. His words seemed to imply that subordinate
institutions under the Army Chief create occasional mischief although the stated
policy of the Army Chief was pro-democracy and in harmony with the civilian
government’s policies. The DG ISPR did not waste much time in declaring the
Federal Minister’s statement ‘irresponsible’ at a news conference.
Khawaja Saad Rafique, in a ceremony marking his father’s death
anniversary, said that Gen Bajwa’s appearance before Senators on December 19
was a confidence-boosting move as he upheld the democratic norms and continuity
of democratic system in the country. In his remarks, Mr. Rafique added that
democratic ethos of the COAS must be commended and appreciated by everyone –
including by those upon whom his command is mandatory, adding that institutions
under the COAS must desist from mischief making against democratic governments.
( Iss ki tayeed unhain bhi karni chahiye jin par un ka hukm lazim hai;
unhain bhi uss hukm ke ata’at karni chahiye …. Iss ki support unhain bhi
karni chahiye jo choti choti sharartain kertay hain ). [8]
“We take this statement with concern,” said the DG ISPR. He
also said that the Minister’s statement “does not appear to be un-intended;
it is irresponsible and unwarranted, because it is targeting chain of command
and subordination system of Pakistan Army.” He also said that Federal Minister’s
statement “violated the Constitution,” and added that ” agar aisi line chairain
ge tau bohot se irtiash paida hon ge.” (If such a line is taken, there
will be reverberations/repercussions.)
Standing Committees on Defence visit LoC
Members of the Senate and National Assembly Standing Committees on Defence
on a visit to the Line of Control in Azad Kashmir, on December 05, 2017
The ISPR reported that that on December 05, a delegation of
members of Standing Committees on Defence from both houses of the Parliament
visited at Line of Control (LoC) in Azad Kashmir. The delegation was briefed
about the situation alongside the LoC, Indian violations of the Cease Fire,
loss of civilian life, and damage to property. [9]
Advisor meets former Premier?
First time after the disqualification of former Premier Mr.
Nawaz Sharif, National Security Advisor to Prime Minister, Lt. Gen Nasser Khan
Janjua, reportedly met with Mr. Sharif, at his Jati Umra residence in Raiwind,
Lahore on December 28. Reportedly, the meeting continued for 5 hours, where
Mr. Sharif stressed on the need to maintain friendly ties with neighbouring
countries.[10]
PML-N Information Secretary, and Minister for Climate Change,
Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan, while answering a question about Mr. Nawaz’s strained
relations with the military establishment, and his involvement in government
affairs despite his disqualification, said that, “the security adviser does
not need anybody’s permission to brief the PML-N chief on security issues as
he is a civilian member of the cabinet.” He also added that Mr Sharif is chief
of the ruling PML-N and could meet any member of his party’s government.” [11]
Later some media reports contradicted that such a meeting
ever took place. Both the former PM and NSA’s office neither confirmed nor denied
the meeting.
If the meeting took place, it was not clear what NSA might
have discussed for five hours with the former PM who does not hold a public
office any more.
deep sea with Pakistan Navy
PM Abbasi receiving the Dolphin insignia of the Pakistan Navy
On a three-day visit to Karachi, from December 22-24, during
an operational review of the Pakistan Navy, Prime Minister Abbasi boarded a
submarine in open sea, which made him the first Prime Minister of Pakistan having
done so. He was awarded the Dolphin insignia of the Pakistan Navy. He also witnessed
replenishment exercise by the Navy, rocket depth charge firing by ship &
aircraft and helicopter-borne board, search & seizure. The premier expressed
satisfaction with the operational preparedness of the Pakistan Navy.[12]
[1] For details, please see COAS briefs senators on national security Dawn, December 19, 2017: https://www.dawn.com/news/1377559 [2] Senate of Pakistan Press Release, Official Website, December 19, 2017, as accessed on January 02, 2017 at [3] For details, please https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmdfence/576/121205.htm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxlKAY7HgYs [4] For details, please see Army briefs Parliament Panel on surgical strikes: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Army-briefs-Parliament-panel-on-surgical-strikes/articleshow/54849255.cms [5] For details, please see PILDAT Report of Study Visit by Pakistani Parliamentarians & Intellectuals on Democratic Oversight on Defence and National Security in the UK: July 03-05, 2012; London, UK: https://www.pildat.org/Publications/publication/CMR/PakistaniParliamentariansAndIntellectualsOn [6] In-camera briefing: Senators face action for breaching House rules, THE NEWS, December 21, 2017, as accessed on January 04, 2017 at https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/258602-in-camera-briefing-senators-face-action-for-breaching-house-rules [8] For details, please see the speech of Khawaja Sadd Rafique at [9] ISPR Press Release, Official Website, December 05, 2017, as accessed on January 02, 2017 at https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-press_release&id=4423&cat=army [10] Security, terrorism discussed at NSA-Sharif Jati Umra meeting, DAWN, December 29, 2017, as accessed on January 04, 2017 at https://epaper.dawn.com/DetailImage.php?StoryImage=29_12_2017_001_005 [11] Security, terrorism discussed at NSA-Sharif Jati Umra meeting, DAWN, December 29, 2017, as accessed on January 04, 2017 at https://epaper.dawn.com/DetailImage.php?StoryImage=29_12_2017_001_005 [12] Abbasi becomes first Pakistan PM to board submarine in open sea, EXPRESS TRIBUNE, December 24, 2017, as accessed on January 04, 2017 at https://tribune.com.pk/story/1591963/1-abbasi-becomes-first-pakistan-pm-board-submarine-open-sea/ [13] ISPR Press Release, Official Website, December 05, 2017, as accessed on January 02, 2017 at https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-press_release&id=4423&cat=army [14] ISPR Press Release, Official Website, December 06, 2017, as accessed on January 02, 2017 at https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-press_release&id=4427&cat=army [15] ISPR Press Release, Official Website, December 11, 2017, as accessed on January 02, 2017 at https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-press_release&id=4437&cat=army [16] ISPR Press Release, Official Website, December 12, 2017, as accessed on January 02, 2017 at https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-press_release&id=4440&cat=army [17] ISPR Press Release, Official Website, December 12, 2017, as accessed on January 02, 2017 at https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-press_release&id=4440&cat=army [18] ISPR Press Release, Official Website, December 07, 2017, as accessed on January 02, 2017 at https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-press_release&id=4430&cat=army [19] Army chief calls for widening scope of madressah education, DAWN, December 8, 2017, as accessed on December 04, 2017 at https://epaper.dawn.com/DetailImage.php?StoryImage=08_12_2017_001_001 [20] Army will support and pursue mainstreaming of Fata, vows Gen Bajwa, DAWN, December 13, 2017, as accessed on December 04, 2017 at [21] ISPR Press Release, Official Website, December 13, 2017, as accessed on January 02, 2017 at https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-press_release&id=4444&cat=army [22] PILDAT Monitor on Civil-Military Relations November, PILDAT Website, December 14, 2017, as accessed on January 02, 2017 at [23] ISPR Press Release, Official Website, December 25, 2017, as accessed on January 02, 2017 at https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-press_release&id=4463&cat=army For details, please see The National Command Authority Act, 2010 [25] Pakistan to retain full spectrum deterrence policy, DAWN, December 22, 2017, as accessed on December 04, 2017 at https://www.dawn.com/news/1378106/pakistan-to-retain-full-spectrum-deterrence-policy [26] Prime Minister Office Press Release, Official Website, December 18, 2017, as accessed on January 02, 2017 at [27] Prime Minister Office Press Release, Official Website, December 18, 2017, as accessed on January 02, 2017 at [28] PM, army chief discuss Fata issue with Fazl, DAWN, December 20, 2017, as accessed on January 04, 2017 at https://www.dawn.com/news/1377680/pm-army-chief-discuss-fata-issue-with-fazl [29] PM, army chief discuss Fata issue with Fazl, DAWN, December 20, 2017, as accessed on January 04, 2017 at https://www.dawn.com/news/1377680/pm-army-chief-discuss-fata-issue-with-fazl [30] Army to be allotted over 1,000 acres for new GHQ, other offices, DAWN, December 27, 2017, as accessed on January 04, 2017 at https://www.dawn.com/news/1379072/army-to-be-allotted-over-1000-acres-for-new-ghq-other-offices [31] The DHA City juggernaut rolls on in the name of development, DAWN, December 19, 2017, as accessed on January 04, 2017 at [32] COAS visits hometown, announces stadium, DAWN, December 25, 2017, as accessed on January 04, 2017 at https://www.dawn.com/news/1378659/coas-visits-hometown-announces-stadium [33] Prime Minister Office Press Release, Official Website, December 18, 2017, as accessed on January 02, 2017 at [34] Philippine navy chief sacked in surprise move, THE NEWS, December 20, 2017, as accessed on January 04, 2017 at https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/258219-philippine-navy-chief-sacked-in-surprise-move [35] Philippine military removes navy chief, but won’t say why, REUTERS, December 19, 2017, as accessed on January 04, 2017 at https://www.reuters.com/article/us-philippines-defence/philippine-military-removes-navy-chief-but-wont-say-why-idUSKBN1ED1EM
References
DemocraticOversightonDefenceandNationalSecurityintheUK_July03-05_%202012.pdf