Civil-Military Relations

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Introduction

With the belief that state of civil-military relations in Pakistan is the single most important factor upon which the quality of democracy in Pakistan depends, PILDAT began its work in the area in 2004.

Other than 4 direct interventions by the military since Pakistan’s independence in 1947, successive military commanders have exercised de-facto authority on crucial aspects of national security management including regional and international affairs. PILDAT initiated its work to improve the prevailing strained civil-military relations in Pakistan as a part of the effort to move the country towards full democracy and improve the overall governance. PILDAT initiatives since 2004 have focussed on enhancing the understanding of both the civil and the military minds about the need for an agreed set of norms to conduct the affairs of the State according to the Constitution and global conventions of democratic governance.

PILDAT’s work in this flagship area of our focus has ranged from undertaking research and study in issues relating to civil-military relations in Pakistan and cataloguing the best strategies and practices to improve civil-military relations in other countries which similar transitions to democracies after prolonged military rules. Facilitating the formation of a Dialogue Group on Civil-Military Relations, PILDAT has continued to promote and facilitate civil-military dialogue process. International Conferences and regional dialogues on the subject have also been a key plank of PILDAT’s initiative.

The key outcome of PILDAT’s focus has been defining and creation of space for credible, fact-based and non-emotive discussion on the issues affecting civil military relations and to facilitate a conversation in the public domain that the civil-military equation as experienced in Pakistan are deterimental to Pakistan’s journey towards democratic consolidation. Working closely with Parliament and key Parliamentary Committees, PILDAT has facilitated their understanding and strengthened capacities to understand and fulfil the demands of democratic and parliamentary oversight of defence in Pakistan. PILDAT has also continued to focus on political parties to develop cogent policies and proposals on defence and national security some of which have resulted in required institutional reforms.

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Key Areas

  1. PILDAT has contributed a rich body of knowledge in the area spanning over 170 publications and growing developed through research and study, including regional and international comparative analyses, and proposals for reforms for democratic consolidation through improving civil-military relations in Pakistan
  2. Facilitating an eminent Dialogue Group on Civil-Military Relations (DGCMR) to develop an understanding and resolve differences of perceptions between the civil and the military minds and to develop and advocate reforms easing the strained civil-military relations in Pakistan
  3. Capacity building of Parliament and Parliamentary Committees to effectively and responsibly oversee defence and national security
  4. Capacity building of Political Parties to develop and articulate cogent policies leading to democratic oversight of defence and national security
  5. Periodic review of performance of relevant national institutions such as the National Security Committee as well as relevant Parliamentary Committees towards an effective discharge of their responsibilities.
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Approaches & Methodology of our Work

PILDAT is a dynamic organisation and continues to evaluate, calibrate and adapt its approaches and methodologies to reach the desired goals in our work. Following are some of the key approaches to our work:

  1. Objective, fact-based and non-partisan Research and Analysis focussed on reforms arrived at through working with our eminent groups and learning from regional and international good practices
  2. Working with ALL stakeholders including Governments, Parliament & Provincial Legislatures, Political Parties, Judiciary, Media and Citizens
  3. Advocacy for reforms
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Key Strengths

PILDAT is widely recognised for the following key strengths:

  1. Convening Power: Owing to our track-record as a serious, non-partisan organisation focused on quality of its work, PILDAT has developed a unique convening power that brings together diverse political spheres and voices from across the country on important national and global issues to affect policy reform.
  2. Relationships across the Political Spectrum: Because of PILDAT’s work over a decade in a non-partisan capacity, PILDAT enjoys relationship of respect with all key political parties. Not only political parties receive PILDAT’s reform proposals with an open mind, they often seek PILDAT’s support and advice on various policy issues relating to policy as well as internal governance. This also means that regardless of a party in opposition or in power, they are receptive to our analyses and proposals.
  3. Relationship with Media: Over the years, PILDAT has worked with the media to develop it as an ally. PILDAT’s work is sought and often quoted in the media. We take media as an important ally to further the work on reforms.
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Our Services

Following key services are offered by PILDAT:

  1. Objective and responsible research and study on areas that require improving civil-military relations in Pakistan
  2. Producing critical reform proposals based on rich experience, knowledge and understanding of the field
  3. Capacity building of Parliamentary Committees, Political Parties & Media
  4. Effective and efficient advocacy with all stakeholders on required reforms

Following major projects have been conceptualised and delivered successfully by PILDAT in the area:

  • Promoting Civil-Military Dialogue in Pakistan
  • Translation and Publication of the Urdu Version of the IPU/DCAF Handbook on Parliamentary Oversight of the Security Sector
  • Briefing Paper & Briefing Sessions on National Security Councils & Civil-Military Dialogue
  • Party Dialogue & Civil Military Relations
  • Research & Dialogue to improve Civil-Military Relations in Pakistan
  • International Conference on Civil-Military Relations
  • Translation from English to Urdu of Book titled “Making intelligence accountable: legal standards and best practices for oversight of intelligence agencies “
  • Monitoring Civil Military Relations in Pakistan
  • Improving Civil Military relations through dialogue and monitoring
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Our Partners

Following are some of the key development partners who have supported PILDAT’s initiatives in this field:

  • Department for International Development – DFID
  • Friedrich Ebert Stiftung – FES
  • Geneva Centre for Democratic Control of Armed Forces – DCAF
  • United States Institute of Piece – USIP
  • The Asia Foundation – TAF
  • British High Commission – BHC
  • Danish International Development Agency – DANIDA
  • National Endowment for Democracy – NED
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