On the night of July 22, 2010, Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani announced an extension of three years in the service of Pakistan Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani, arguing that continuation of the military leadership is essential to the continued prosecution of the war on terror.[1] The civilian government led by the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), which had campaigned for downsizing the extensive role of the Pakistani military in the country's political and economic life, was not expected to make such a decision. The extension in his tenure strengthened the popularly held view that the Pakistani military continues to dictate policymaking in Pakistan.
General Kayani, who is the first chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) to become an army chief, succeeded General Pervez Musharraf as the 14th army chief on November 29, 2007. He is the first army chief in several decades to be given an extension by a civilian government. General Kayani will now retire on November 28, 2013, after the tenures of Prime Minister Gilani and President Asif Zardari run out earlier in the same year. There was speculation that the extension was given as a quid pro quo that the army will not dismiss the Gilani government.
If Gen. Kayani's service were not extended, Lt.-Gen. Khalid Shameem Wyne, the next on the seniority list, was expected to get the post. The Pakistan Army has two generals, 28 lieutenant generals and approximately 170 major generals at present. Three lieutenant generals were given one-year extensions in the past few months, including ISI chief Lt.-Gen. Shuja Pasha.[2]
The civilian government's decision to extend General Kayani's tenure was generally criticized: by the liberal newspapers for strengthening the Pakistani military's role in Pakistani life, and by the religious and right-wing pro-military newspapers for his role in the U.S.-led war on terror and for ordering military operations against the Taliban in the Pakistani border region.
Some newspapers also questioned that if the U.S. could remove General Stanley McChrystal in the middle of a failing war in Afghanistan, why could not Pakistan do the same. However, some centrist newspapers praised Gen. Kayani for professionalism, as well as for taking steps to remove army officers from their jobs in civilian institutions. This issue is examined in the editorials written by various Pakistani newspapers immediately after General Kayani was given his extension.
The following are excerpts from the articles:
"This is a Difficult Situation for General Kayani, as the Nation Thinks That Pakistan's Role as the Frontline Ally State is Against the Interest of the Nation"
In an editorial titled "Three Years' Extension in General Kayani's Tenure – Defense Should be the Top Priority of the Political and the Military Leadership," the pro-military newspaper Roznama Nawa-i-Waqt noted that the extension came at the behest of the U.S., Britain, and China.
The right-wing daily argued that General Kayani should overcome the U.S. pressure to order military operations against the Taliban in North Waziristan and southern Punjab, and instead focus on defending the national interest of Pakistan.
Following are excerpts from the Roznama Nawa-i-Waqt editorial:[3]
"Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, softening his discretionary powers and after consultation with President Asif Ali Zardari, has announced an extension of three years in the tenure of Pakistan's army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani from November 29, 2010 for the continuation of successes in the ongoing operation against the terrorists and extremists. He made this announcement in his brief and sudden address to the nation on national television and radio networks.
"He said that Pakistan is passing through a critical phase; the government is busy in the war against terrorism, and the civilian government, along with the Pakistan army, has carried out operations in Malakand, Swat and South Waziristan regions against the people [i.e. the Taliban] who want to enforce a system of their liking through terrorism; these operations were made possible under the leadership of General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, and he remained involved in the planning and the supervision of the operations; it is the need of the hour to make the continuation of leadership possible to ensure the success of these operations.
"The prime minister sent the summary of extension in the tenure of General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani as army chief back to the defense ministry after approval yesterday. For the first time, a democratic government has granted an extension to an army chief; otherwise either the chiefs have got retired after completing their tenure under civil governments, or have extended their tenure as head of state during marshal law regimes.
"Some political and military circles have welcomed the extension and have declared it as an important step in the national interest, while some have expressed their reservations about it. According to foreign diplomatic sources, the U.S., Britain, and China expressed their wish to get the tenure of General Kayani extended; so the prime minister, before the [recent] visits of Indian and American foreign ministers, met with General Kayani to inform him about the decision of the extension in his tenure.
"There are no two opinions about the General Kayani's professionalism. He not only wishes to keep the Pakistan Army away from politics and limit its role to its professional duties, but is also actively pursuing this goal. He has taken concrete steps for the purpose after his appointment as army chief, which include summoning the in-service army officers back from [their posts in] the civilian institutions. He also has given his consent to obey the civilian government in accordance with the constitution to strengthen the federal parliamentary democratic system, a demonstration of which is the part that army has played in the operations in Swat, Malakand and South Waziristan regions.
"Though in the opinion of some circles the extension has hindered the promotions of the deserving army officers and so the army chief should not have accepted the extension in his tenure, yet the prime minister must have taken the decision keeping in mind the external and the internal challenges the country is facing, especially the economic and military affects of the departure of NATO forces from Afghanistan next year. Washington keeps a soft corner for General Kayani in the context of the … war against terrorism and the role Pakistan is playing as Washington's frontline ally; the soft corner was expressed by [U.S. Secretary of State] Hillary Clinton's meeting with the general as well as the political leadership of the country during her visit, and her praise for his role in the war against terrorism before departing for Kabul. So the probability that the army operations will be extended to North Waziristan and southern Punjab in accordance with the American demand to 'do more,' cannot be rejected.
"This is a difficult situation for General Kayani, as the nation thinks that Pakistan's role as the frontline ally state is against the interest of the nation as well as the state; and the nation has reservations about the ongoing army operations in the tribal areas in the same context. The nation thinks the sooner our army gets rid of the operations against its own people on its own soil, the better it is for the country and the people, because the suicide attacks started as a reaction against these operations as well as the drone attacks. If the General rolls back the army operation, rather than extending it, in accordance with the wishes of the nation he will become a hero of the nation; otherwise the national reaction can take him the other way.
"The prime minister must have tried to wipe out the misunderstanding about the current system [i.e. demands for] especially mid-term elections by giving the extension, and he might have wanted to give an impression that tenure for the offices of the president, the chief justice, the army chief and for the current assemblies is till 2013, so the anti-government elements cannot do any harm to the government until then, and that the next election will be held in the presence of General Kayani. But the government should deal with the national political issues herself, for which there is neither a justification of General Kayani's intrusion nor any constitutional, legal role for him.
"Most important of the challenges he has to face as army chief is the defense of the country, as the alliance between India and the U.S. has created a severe threat for Pakistan's existence. India, intoxicated by the defense and military dominance gained through the U.S. help, is ready to destroy us. According to [U.S. admiral] Mike Mullen, action against terrorists can initiate a war between Pakistan and India, and India is waiting for an excuse just like the [2008] Mumbai attacks. The freedom movement of Kashmiri warriors that has also entered into its last phase can also ignite the fire in India. General Kayani as an army chief not only has to keep the forces vigilant and ready to defend the country against any aggression, but he also has to keep the morale of the nation high, which cannot be kept high by remaining busy in the war of American interest in the region.
"This context has put a heavy responsibility on the shoulders of the general. The nation wants his military chief to see the enemy eye to eye and wishes him to foil all the conspiracies against the country through the support of the [Pakistani] nation. So the extension in his tenure should become a guarantee of national unity, and should not start a new controversy. During the current challenges defense of the country should be the first priority of our military and political leadership."
Roznama Express Editorial on General Kayani: "Through His Words and Deeds He Proved that He Wants Democracy and Politics to Prosper in Pakistan"
The mass-circulation Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Express wrote an editorial lauding the professionalism of General Kayani and his decision to withdraw in-service officers from their jobs in civilian institutions.
In the editorial, titled "Extension in the Army Chief's Tenure," the Urdu daily wrote: "More than anything, the role Pakistan Army, under his leadership, played and the sacrifices it made against terrorists were appreciated not only by the nation but also by the international community."
Following are excerpts from the Roznama Express editorial:[4]
"The extension in the tenure of General Kayani is an important act. It speaks not only of the government's resolve about the war against terrorism, but also of the best coordination and cooperation between the army and the government in other fields. It will not only strengthen the democracy but also improve the image of the armed forces. The extension was under discussion for a few weeks but the government had not taken any clear stance. Even the prime minster, when asked by some journalists, said that we will cross the bridge when we reach it [regarding making a decision on the army chief's tenure]. Three years of General Kayani's tenure are about to end, and during the period he has taken a number of steps that have positively affected the image of the armed forces, the democracy, and the war on terror.
"Nobody can deny the fact that the steps General Musharraf took, as the head of the state as well as the army chief, affected the image of the armed forces very badly. General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani knew the bitter reality very well when the reign was handed over to him. That is why he banned the involvement of the army officers in political affairs, and as a practical step for this summoned the in-service officers back from various government institutions. Through his words and deeds he proved that he wants democracy and politics to prosper in Pakistan. During his last tenure, the country faced a number of crises, including the issue of restoration of judiciary, and during the critical phases of these crises, people said that now the army will take over [the country], but the general never took a step to harm democracy.
"On the other hand, he at times played an unforgettable role to strengthen democracy through dialogue and talks. More than anything, the role the Pakistani Army under his leadership played, and the sacrifices it made against terrorists, were appreciated not only by the nation but also by the international community. The civilian administration, along with the army, conducted operations in the Swat, Malakand, and South Waziristan regions, and the success of the operations was made possible under the leadership of General Kayani. He not only was involved in planning the operations against terrorism in the affected areas of Pakistan, but also played the most important role in execution of these plans.
"General Kayani, like a good military leader, not only kept the morale of the armed forces high, but also stressed that democracy is necessary for peace and development in Pakistan. He is liked and appreciated nationally and internationally for his military leadership skills as well as for his love of democracy. The prime minister has rightly said that these operations are in a critical phase now, and to make them successful it is important to ensure the continuation of the military leadership. Most probably this is the reason for the extension.
"We hope that the decision will prove to be a good decision and will help in stopping democracy from derailing in Pakistan, as the prime minister in his speech has expressed his conviction that the war against terrorism will be won under the leadership of General Kayani, as it is the war of our survival. The decision is also an expression of certain decisions taken by the present regime. The power of appointing and extending the tenure of the army chief was with the president in the past [accumulated by General Musharraf who served both as army chief and the president], but President Asif Ali Zardari handed this power over to the chief executive [the prime minister] willingly. The prime minister has extended the tenure of the army chief through the same powers and it is appreciable. We can hope that this decision will positively affect the economic and social conditions of the country."
Dawn Newspaper: "Winning the War Against the Militants is Essential to the Survival of This Country… [But] Gen. Kayani's Extension Must not Be Seen Only Through that Prism"
The liberal Pakistani newspaper Dawn slammed Prime Minister Gilani for his argument that it was essential to give extension to General Kayani in order to maintain the continuity of the military leadership to ensure the continuation of the war against the Taliban.
The editorial, titled, "A Second Term for Gen. Kayani," argued that the end of his tenure and appointment of another successor could have revitalized the military. The Dawn newspaper also cited the example of the Obama administration's removal of General Stanley McChrystal in the middle of the failing Afghan war.
Following are excerpts from the Dawn editorial:[5]
"It was the worst-kept secret in the country: Prime Minister Gilani's announcement that Army Chief Gen. Kayani is to be granted an extension in service came as a surprise to no one. The only thing that could be termed a little surprising was the length of the extension.
"Gen. Kayani has effectively been handed a second three-year term, instead of a shorter extension. At this point, with the army's strategy in the fight against militancy not as transparent as could be hoped for, it is difficult to comment on what Gen. Kayani's extension will mean for the specifics of that war. However, while there should be no doubt that winning the war against the militants is essential to the survival of this country as we know it, Gen. Kayani's extension must not be seen only through that prism.
"Like it or not, the extension does not reflect well on the army as an institution. It is almost an article of faith that the Pakistan Army is the only viable, strong, and vibrant institution in the country. Whatever Gen. Kayani's intimate familiarity with the present state of affairs and whatever his unique understanding of the situation, a strong institution should be able to withstand the retirement of one man, however experienced.
"A compelling example of institutional concerns coming before individuals was provided recently by the U.S., where the architect of the present American counter-insurgency strategy in Afghanistan [General Stanley McChrystal] was replaced; this in the middle of a war that is by all accounts going badly for the U.S. Here in Pakistan, the public is constantly told that the internal security situation has improved, that the TTP [Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan] is on the retreat, that progress, while slow, is real and meaningful.
"If it seems difficult to reconcile the idea of a strong institution having depth in talent and leadership with the 'indispensability' of a single man, then that's because it truly is. Step back from the specifics of the present case and consider this: why does the principle of a regular change in leadership of the army even exist? It is not simply to give another general a go at the top slot. Regular, scheduled changes in leadership are in fact meant to keep institutions vibrant and strong. That there are 'special circumstances' at the present time is not fully convincing either.
"Externally, the uncertainty in Afghanistan, the intransigence of India, the unpredictability of the Americans – all these circumstances have existed before, and the country has survived them. Internally, the fight against militancy is going to be a long, hard slog, the public is constantly told, with many years or perhaps even a decade and a half needed to see out the threat. How does a three-year extension affect that long-term course? Lest we forget, it was just a few years ago that another general believed in his indispensability and trampled over the constitution for a second time, and yet, here the country is still surviving, perhaps even better off since the dark days of Gen. Musharraf's drawn-out exit.
"Having said that, it is the decision of a democratically elected government to hand Gen. Kayani his three-year extension. The public does not know yet, perhaps it never will, if the decision was a total capitulation or the result of a quid pro quo. Nevertheless, the government's decision stands as a legal and effective one and should be accepted as such. Therefore, we wish Gen. Kayani success in his second term and take this chance to remind him of the oath he has taken under the constitution: 'I do solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan and uphold the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan which embodies the will of the people, that I will not engage myself in any political activities whatsoever and that I will honestly and faithfully serve Pakistan in the Pakistan Army as required by and under the law."'
"General Kayani's 'Successful' Command [of Anti-Taliban Operations] Should not… Be Prematurely Mistaken for Final Success"
The liberal newspaper Daily Times noted that General Kayani's extension will block the career prospects of many generals but defended the unprecedented decision, saying that the military leadership should not be changed in the middle of war.
In an editorial titled "A Season for Extensions," the Lahore-based newspaper however observed that General Kayani's "successful command" of recent anti-Taliban military operations should not be mistaken for final success.
Following are excerpts from the Daily Times editorial:[6]
"Prime Minister Gilani addressed the nation late Thursday night for less than three minutes, but made an announcement that kept everyone glued to their television screens. The prime minister, after consultations with President Zardari, gave a three-year extension to Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. This did not come as a surprise to many who were already expecting that the government would stick with General Kayani rather than bringing in a new army chief at this point, when our armed forces are engaged in an intense battle against the terrorists.
"There had been a review going on within the power corridors, both at the governmental level and consultations with the military top brass. To quell speculation, which could have led to uncertainty within the military quarters, the government decided to announce its decision sooner rather than the later. This is an unprecedented length of extension, virtually another tenure. The interesting aspect of this extension is that General Kayani's term ends in 2013, the same year when the tenure of the current government and Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry also comes to an end. Prime Minister Gilani also made a reference to this fact in a press conference yesterday. The coincidence seems significant.
"Extensions in the army are a rare occurrence, especially that of an army chief, unless he gives one to himself as in the case of [martial law rulers like] Ayub Khan, Ziaul Haq, and Musharraf when they were in power. General Kayani is the second army chief to be given an extension by a civilian government, the first being Ayub Khan – the difference being that Iskandar Mirza's [civilian] government was not a democratically elected one. The inherent problem with extensions is that it tends to block other people's career prospects – in this case some dozen other generals' chances of becoming the army chief – and causes heartburn. Given the discipline of the army, this heartburn may not translate into anything substantive, but a possibility of resignation(s) cannot be ruled out. Back in the '90s, when General Musharraf superseded his senior officers and was made the army chief, General Ali Kuli Khan resigned. This time we would have to wait and see if any resignations occur.
"Prime Minister Gilani cited '[Kayani's] effective role in the war against terrorism and in the enforcement of rule of law in the country' as the reason for this extension. It is true that changing horses midstream, when perhaps we have entered the most difficult phase of this war against terrorism, would not have been wise. After successful military operations [against the Taliban] in Swat and South Waziristan and a few other successes, now is the time to make sure that these areas remain peaceful. The civilian dispensation has not yet taken full control of these areas. Thus the ability of the army to conduct mopping up and offensive operations stands compromised to some extent. General Kayani's 'successful' command should not therefore be prematurely mistaken for final success.
"Another reason for this extension could be that so far General Kayani has not shown any inclination towards the army's past penchant for upsetting the democratic applecart. If anything, he has supported continuance of the democratic dispensation. Therefore, without any disrespect to any expectant, the consideration must have been that General Kayani's track record inspires confidence. Another important factor is General Kayani's good [standing] with the U.S.-led NATO forces in Afghanistan. They have reposed a lot of confidence in his counter-insurgency efforts, further sealing his credentials as the man of the hour. Though extended tenures generally have the unnerving tendency to go to people's heads, so far this does not seem a high risk as far as General Kayani's professionalism is concerned."
"And How Convincing is the Claim that [Under Gen. Kayani] We are Triumphing Over the Militants, Anyway?
In an editorial, The Express Tribune newspaper also questioned Prime Minister Gilani's argument that the war against the Taliban is being successfully executed under the leadership of General Kayani.
The editorial, titled "Democracy and the Generals," also noted that such appointments mean that the military continues to influence policymaking in Pakistan, and the extension of General Kayani "will add to the difficulties Pakistan faces in establishing control over its military and ending the long era through which the men in uniform have scripted the plot of the story of political life."
Following are excerpts from The Tribune's editorial:[7]
"The themes of democracy and dictatorship run through the history of Pakistan. The tradition of military dominance that has shaded most aspects of political life in the state means that the decision to extend the tenure of General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani cannot be seen as a decision not tied in to other developments on the national scene. The announcement in a brief late-night address to the nation by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani means General Kayani will now serve till November 2013, three years longer than the period assigned to him.
"There had for many months been speculation as to whether the COAS [Chief of the Army Staff] would step down on schedule. The fact that the government has decided he will not means General Kayani will now stay in office beyond the tenures of both the prime minister and the president, who bow out earlier in 2013. Interestingly enough the chief justice of Pakistan, too, is scheduled to retire that same year.
"Not many will need persuasion that the move, which follows meetings of the COAS, corps commanders, and the top civilian leadership, is intended to ensure that any potential friction between the latter and the military establishment stays at a minimum. Other than that, there is bound to be a perception among some in the country – and it may not be entirely unjustified – that the move will surely have the endorsement of the Americans. According to several media reports, the head of the U.S. military, Admiral Mike Mullen, as well as the head of U.S. forces in Afghanistan, General David Petraeus, and his predecessor General Stanley McChrystal have had a good working relation with General Kayani.
"Having said that, the threat of military intervention has lingered somewhere in the background since the dramatic restoration of the judiciary [sacked by former military ruler General Musharraf] in March 2009 – an event the army is said to have played some part in. The grounds offered by the prime minister, that General Kayani has been retained in the interests of national security, raise more questions than they answer. Are we to assume that military strategy follows from the persuasions of individual generals rather than a policy devised by the government? Is there any reason to believe the next COAS would have pursued a different course of action? And how convincing is the claim that we are triumphing over the militants anyway? There are many doubts as to the degree and stability of success within the conflict zone where local residents speak of continued unrest.
"There is also the small matter of principle and precedent. General Kayani has been called a soldier's soldier, under whose reins there has been considerable focus on the welfare of the soldier as opposed to the officer. That said, the failure to follow rules in many ways dooms us to a future of still more speculation and doubt. It also leaves it plain that the elected government is largely powerless against a military that remains assertive – even if this role is more subtle than in the past. There can be no doubt that as yet the balance of power between the military and the civilian set-up has not been righted. Until this happens we can expect only further bumps on the road that leads to democracy. That goal cannot be achieved by the process of balloting alone.
"There is also the question of the role of international players. General Kayani has been able to persuade key allies that he is central to the effort against militancy. While they speak frequently of bolstering democracy in Pakistan and of their commitment to keeping it afloat, these players have little hesitation in doing business with military chiefs. We do not know what events took place behind the scenes leading to the late-night address to the nation. But we do know that the first-ever extension to an army chief granted by a civilian government will add to the difficulties Pakistan faces in establishing control over its military and ending the long era through which the men in uniform have scripted the plot of the story of political life."
Endnotes:
[1] Daily Times (Pakistan), July 23, 2010. The text has been lightly edited for clarity.
[2] Daily Times (Pakistan), July 23, 2010.
[3] Roznama Nawa-i-Waqt (Pakistan), July 24, 2010.
[4] Roznama Express (Pakistan), July 24, 2010.
[5] Dawn (Pakistan), July 24, 2010. The text has been lightly edited for clarity.
[6] Daily Times (Pakistan), July 24, 2010. The text has been lightly edited for clarity.
[7] The Express Tribune (Pakistan), July 24, 2010. The text has been lightly edited for clarity.
