It is natural to expect that the constitutional government will exercise authority over the army but it should refrain from meddling in its affairs.

There is no denial that at times promotions in the army had been made more out on subjective considerations, with political influence playing the overbearing role. The fault must lie at the door of the politicians to a large extent. If merit and competence are not given due recognition professionalism is bound to suffer and the institution will become an agglomeration of the mediocre whose prime predisposition would remain pandering to their political benefactors. We would like to say most forcefully that matters like promotion in the army must remain the preserve of the army chief and no political pressure should be brought to bear on the institution to promote undeserving favorites to high positions. However, not for a moment would we like to suggest that the political masters will not have their legitimate say in such matters. This would require the political leadership not to treat the institution as just another establishment to be tinkered with.

We also concur with the comment of the president that it was indeed the army, which saved the country from anarchy by its 1/11 role. However, we cannot help but say that the presidency had much to do in taking the country to the path of chaos and disorder. Had not the president arrogated to himself the role of the head of the caretaker government, made questionable appointments in the election commission, and made the caretaker cabinet dysfunctional by his actions we may well have been spared the volatile situation that we found ourselves in. Yes, the country was facing a political crisis, but that was exacerbated by the role of the president.