Drift between Pak military and civilian authorities halted
Pakistan's latest political developments unravel a defusing of civilian-military strife that had posed a threat to unsettle the parliamentary system of government in the country until last weekend. President Asif Ali Zardari met chief of army staff General Kayani. This was followed by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani having met the army chief and the senior army officers. Clearly, Gilani has come out with an olive branch from what had been only the other day a direct verbal attack on the military that they were interfering in the political affairs of the country. This bodes well because the president and the prime minister and the armed forces have reached a rapprochement to work in harmony for strengthening constitutionalism and democracy in the country.
In hindsight, the recent political standoff pivoted around an unsigned note allegedly sent by an aide of the Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to the US, seeking help to head off any army take-over attempt. This intensified the rift to the point that the powerful army chief warned of 'grievous consequences'.
PPP-led Gilani government also faces pressure from the Supreme Court on two counts. First, they are adjudicate the case of the unsigned note and second, Zardai faces a possible reopening corruption charges which had been exonerated under special provision.
Whatever reservations we have about Zardari's track records and without prejudice to the reported parliamentary debate over a likely confidence motion, we strongly feel that the process of democracy in Pakistan should not be hindered by extra-constitutional forces. On the contrary, we want it upheld and strengthened and we believe only constitutional process should prevail to resolve contentions between political parties and between the army and the civilian authorities if any.
Some uncertainties, as it turns out, still loom over Pakistan's political landscape. As a Saarc country, we wish Pakistan continuing political stability based on unflinching faith in its institutions of democracy.
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