Civil-Military Relations

Outline
• Introduction
• History of Civil-Military Relations
• Current State of Relations
• Challenges of Civil-Military Relations
• How to Overcome those Challenges
• Conclusion
 Introduction
• Civil-Military relations are important in a
country like Pakistan, where military has
acquired a predominant position.
• Civil here means the civilian government led
by the Prime Minister.
• Military is an institution which is primarily
responsible for the defense of the country.
• This relationship determine stability, and
continuation of democratic dispensation.
 Introduction
• In an ideal democratic system, military should
be subservient to the civilian set-up.
• This is not the case in Pakistan where
democracy has yet to take roots.
• Military is dominant due to geopolitical
environment, war against terror, relations with
the USA, past military interventions, weakness
of civilian institutions, bad governance, lack of
continuity in democracy.
 Introduction
• Military all over the world play a significant
role in politic of a country due to security
considerations including in USA.
• In Pakistan, however, the balance has tilted
towards the military.
• In all security related matters such as Zarb-
Azab, Karachi Operation, relations with India,
Afghanistan, USA and even China, Nuclear
Policy, military has an upper hand.
 Introduction
• When military is in power, it exercises power
exclusively and when out of power then a
shareholder and a key stakeholder known as
‘Establishment’.
• Deteriorations in relations have led to removal
of civilian government and at times military
intervention in the past.
• Functional specialization is the key to this
relationship.
 History of Civil-Military Relations
• History can be divided into 6 phases.
1. Civilian Period (1947-58)
2. Military Period (1958-71)
3. Civilian Period (1972-77)
4. Military Period (1977-88)
5. Civilian Period (1988-99)
6. Military Period (1999-2008)
 Civilian Period (1947-58)
• Pakistan was created by the civilian leadership
led by the QA.
• Due to delay in constitution making, civilian
leaders were unable to establish a democratic
system.
• Resultantly non-political forces such as
bureaucracy and military became powerful.
• In 1954, Army Chief was inducted as defense
minister, paving the way for its involvement.
 Military Period (1958-71)
• Two military intervention took place during
this phase.
• The first intervention removed the civilian
government.
• EBDO (Elected Bodies Disqualification Order)
was passed in 1959.
• 75 leaders were disqualified for 8 years from
political participation mostly from EP.
 Military Period (1958-71)
• In 1969, Ayub khan transferred power to Army
Chief than the Speaker of NA.
• Yahya Khan conducted free and fair elections
but power was not transferred to civilian
leaders.
• The tragedy of East Pakistan took place when
military operation was undertaken against the
protesters which was exploited by India.
 Civilian Period (1972-77)
• In 1972 ZAB became civilian CMLA.
• To prevent abrogation of constitution by the
military, Article 6 was included in the
constitution.
• Hamood-ur-Rahman Commission was
established to investigate 1971 tragedy.
• Its report has never been made public officially
as it would have created rift in civil-military
relations.
 Military Period (1977-88)
• When the civilian leaders failed to settle their
elections related issues, military intervention
took place.
• Zia promised to hold elections within 90 days
but never fulfilled it.
• ZAB was executed in 1979 during military
period which is termed as Judicial murder.
• MRD, 8th Amendment, 58(2)B, dismissal of
PM in 1988.
 Civilian Period (1988-99)
• During this period 4 PMs were removed. The
Establishment was reportedly behind such
removals.
• The basis was corruption, bad governance and
misuse of authority.
• Asgher Khan case regarding 1990 elections
has established its involvement.
• Under the Kakar formula of 1993, both PM
and President had to go.
 Military Period (1999-2008)
• 4th Military intervention, Musharaf as Chief
Executive, 7 points Agenda to reform civilian
institutions.
• 17th Amendment was repeat of 8th Amendment,
• Remote controlled democracy.
• Clash with Judiciary, Emergency in 2007
• After elections of 2008, Musharaf had to
resign after threat of impeachment.
 Current State of Relations-2009
• A civilian government is in place for the last 9
years and military is integral part of
governance structure.
• Baluchistan Package. In Baluchistan Package
of 2009, Akber Bughti was declared as
shaheed by the civilian Government as he was
killed in a military operation during Musharaf
period.
 Current State of Relations - 2010
• 18th Amendment-
– Article 6 further amended to prevent military
involvement in politics.
• In 18th Amendment of 2010, Article 6 further
amended to prevent military involvement in
politics.
• The word 'suspended' was also included apart
from 'abrogation' in this article. Moreover higher
judiciary has been prevented from validation of
military intervention.
 Current State of Relations - 2011
• Memo-gate scandal of 2011 created rift in
civil-military relations. In the background
Abbotabad operation against Osama Bin
Laden, civilian government reportedly sought
US assistance against military's involvement in
politics.
• It was challenged in the Supreme Court of
Pakistan and finally the Ambassador to US
Hussain Haqani was removed.
 Current State of Relations - 2012
• Rise of PTI in 2012 allegedly with the support
of establishment. PTI was established in 1996
and for more than 15 years it was a non-entity.
• The other established parties of PPP and PML
(N) alleged that this popularity is attributed to
the establishment as the two parties reconciled
with each other after the Charter of Democracy
being signed in 2006.
 Current State of Relations - 2013
• Elections in 2013 brought PML (N) to power
at the federal level as well Punjab.
• Nawaz Sharif asserted its independence with
regard to the Establishment and PTI was
allegedly used to create problems for PML
(N) and resultantly the independence of PM
was short-lived.
• After Panam verdict, it has been revealed that
civil-military tension remained.
 Current State of Relations - 2014
• PTI sit-in and NAP – 2014.
• The establishment was allegedly behind PTI
sit-in in 2014 which is considered as
conspiracy by the PML (N).
• Similarly NAP was joint effort and strategy but
differences between the civil military
leadership.
 Current State of Relations - 2015
• Military Courts, 21st Amendment – 2015.
• The political leaders resisted the establishment
of military courts but military prevailed as
according to them, the existing Judiciary has
been taking time to decide cases of terrorist.
• During APC after APS, this issue was
discussed for 8 hours in a meeting of 11 hours
presided by the PM.
 Current State of Relations - 2016
• Dawn Leaks, Karachi Operation – 2016.
• Dawn Leaks revealed that Military Intelligence
is a hurdle in taking action against militancy
and militants. This was revealed after a
meeting held at the Prime Minister office.
• Similarly Karachi operation was started as a
result of decision taken by the civilian
leadership but credit is given to the military.
 Current State of Relations- 2017
• Revival of Military Courts, Dawn Leaks and
removal of PM in 2017 remained issues of
civil-military relations.
• The two years period of Military courts ended
in January - 2017 and the civilian leaders were
least interested in its extension. Some of the
leaders questioned the performance of military
courts during the two years.
 Current State of Relations- 2017
• In March through 23rd amendment in the
constitution, theses courts were extended for
another period of two years on the insistence
of military leadership.
• Dawn Leaks enquiry led to a notification by
the PM office which was rejected by the ISPR.
The tweet was later on withdrawn by the ISPR
on the intervention of Army Chief.
 Current State of Relations- 2017
• Finally the removal of Nawaz Sharif through
the Supreme court is attributed to his efforts to
get some space from the establishment as
pointed out by the leader of opposition.
• Article 62-63 are equated with 58 (2)b. Panma
case is compared with Maulvi Tameesudeen
case of 1954.
• Senate has suggested intra-institutuional
dialogue to overcome such issues.
Challenges of Civil-Military Relations
• Dichotomy-Dual Government
• Democracy at stake
• Constitutional rule
• Bad Governance
• Week civilian institutions vs Dominant
Military institution
• Regional politics and domestic terrorism
 How to Overcome those Challenges
• Functional Specialization
• No compromise on democracy
• Supremacy of the constitution
• System of Accountability
• Civilian institutions must be strengthened by
civilian leaders
• National Interest be supreme instead of
personal and institutional interest
 Conclusion
• It is concluded that civil and military
institutions are part of one government.
• Their mutual relations determine the overall
performance of government. Challenges can
only be overcome if the two institutions are in
harmony with each other.
• In case of differences, National Interest is at
stake and that must be given priority over any
other interests.