GOVERNANCE AND POLITICS IN PAKISTAN

(A Case Study of Military)

Submitted to:
Dr. Nasreen Kosar
Submitted by:
Ammara Kanwal
306-FSS/BSPST/S22

Faculty of Social Sciences

Department of Pakistan Studies & History
International Islamic University, Islamabad
 Contents
1. Abstract………………………………………………………………3

2. Introduction………………………………………………………….3

3. Army Institutions Establishment……………………………………4

4. Martial laws after 1971……………………………………………….4

5. Military Professional Growth…………………………………………5

6. Military take over and Interventions………………………………….6

7. Defence Policy…………………………………………………………7

8. Civil Military Relations……………………………………………….8

9. Defence Expenditure…………………………………………………..8

10. Military Businesses…………………………………………………….9

11. Conclusion……………………………………………………………..10
Abstract
Military is an important pillar of the state of Pakistan. It plays vital role in governance

and politics of Pakistan since its creation. . Armed forces of Pakistan comprise of

three branches: Army, Navy, and Air Force. The Pakistan Army has ruled the country

through martial law on three separate occasions. Pakistan Army occupied a largest

space in defence services, headed by the Chief of the Army Staff with its headquarters

in Rawalpindi known as GHQ (General Head Quarters). Military plays a vital role in

professional growth of its members on the basis of their capabilities. Interventions in

politics and takeovers have changed the overall political landscape of Pakistan .

Military has strong defence during different phases of wars. Civil Military relations

also change governance and politics of Pakistan. Military occupies major portion of

budget for defence due to its strategic location.

Introduction

The military is widely regarded as the most important institution in Pakistan and the

primary pillar of the state. Established in 1947 following the partition of India and

Pakistan's independence, the Pakistan Armed Forces have played a crucial role in the

nation's history, both in terms of defense and political influence. The Pakistan Armed

Forces have been involved in several major conflicts, including wars with India in

1947, 1965, 1971, and the Kargil Conflict in 1999. At time of independence armed

forces comprised of 120,000 men and by 1960 it raised to 300,000 and today it is

about 520,000. If we add civilian it will be about 1 million. 1 Army further divided into

two main categories: fighting force and other services (like educations, EME, Military

1
Ishrat Hussain, Governing the Ungovernable (Karachi: Oxford, 2018), p. 287.
Police etc). Currently 46 major training establishments. Only Staff College Quetta

was established at the time of independence.2

Army Institutions Establishment

Pakistan Military Academy established in 1948 for training of officer cadets. In 1955

Army Planning Board under commander-in-chief (C-in-C). Pakistan signed SEATO

and CENTO in February 1954, when US decided to strengthen defence capabilities of

Pakistan Army. 30% budget expenditure accounted for defence in 1960.3

Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) plays a vital in Afghan War under Zia regime and

involvement in political activities in 1990s under Musharraf regime. ISI headed by

DGISI who is appointed by Prime Minister on the advice of COAS. It ought to come

under chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff.4

Martial laws after 1971

After power transfer of Ayub Khan to Yahya Khan during war we lost East Pakistan

after that Yahya handover presidency to the winning candidate of PPP from West

Pakistan Z.A.Bhutto at that time army for the first time was de facto. 1973

constitution was framed and as per law control and command of armed forces to the

federal government. Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) was formed headed

by PM, Defence, Finance and Interior ministers, Chiefs of armed forces and Joint

Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC) that makes plans for defence policies like

operations planning, joint logistic planning and joint training planning. Strategic Plans

2
Ishrat Hussain, Governing the Ungovernable (Karachi: Oxford, 2018), p. 287.

3
Ishrat Hussain, Governing the Ungovernable (Karachi: Oxford, 2018), p. 288.

4
Ibid, p. 288.
Division and National Defence University works under JSCS. COAS role is important

in appointment of SPD and NDU President.5

Constitution was violated or not is another matter by Bhutto when he appointed his

favorite General as COAS he thought was so loyal. In 1977—88 again period of

martial law at which on district level commissioner and deputy commissioner

continued to exist. Martial law courts for hearing of cases for violation of martial law,

public flogging for the people who violated martial law orders. Again in October 1999

military take over the control of state by dismissing of Nawaz Sharif elected

government at that time no formal announcement of martial law and civilian

institutions fulfilling their responsibilities as per normal routine. After 2008

Musharraf resigned from his office of president.6

Military Professional Growth

Military state institutions PMA, Staff College and training establishments and joint

exercises of army, air and navy several field exercises study abroad tour exercises.

National Defence University runs two courses trained officers for planning at the

higher levels including national and international. Training comprises on special arms

schools for warfare skills; Junior Leaders Academy is to train non- commissioned

officers. NUST Islamabad with several affiliated colleges. Pakistan Naval Academy

on passing out appointed as midshipmen. Officers sent to staff courses at Pakistan

Navy College, Air war college and Quaid e Azam University for defence courses and

war courses at National defence university, initial selection was tough 300 selected

from 1500 applicants. Selection done by ISI.

5
Ibid, p. 288—289.
6
Ishrat Hussain, Governing the Ungovernable (Karachi: Oxford, 2018), p. 290--291.
Pilots do training at PAF College Risalpur 65% fail to meet requirements, 15----20

survive out of 100 due to rigours training. College of Aeronautical Engineering

established in 1965, provides training in avionics, engineering, aerospace, humanities

and social sciences. International capabilities of armed forces in UN peace keeping

provide contribution. Military developed into one of the strongest and most effective

institutions. The Frontier Corps (FC) is trained by US at Warsak in KPK. Widely

discussed personality is of Gen. Raheel Sharif.7

Military Takeovers and Interventions

Military is institutions of high degree of professionalism and efficiency, Armed force

seized governance in Pakistan since 1947 Ayub Khan take over in October 1958 to

1969 after 7 civil governments, power was transferred instead of up lifting the Martial

law of Ayub Khan from 1969 to 1971. Zia ul Haq dismissed Bhutto government on

rigging charges in elections of 1977 and ruled for 11 years from 1977 to 1988. Pervez

Musharraf take over as “being thurst into power” in 1999 to 2007 because Nawaz

dismissed him from his office. 3 to 4 civilian governments were removed due to

allegations of corruption, nepotism. US and Western Unions found it convenient to

deal with one man instead with delegations of cabinet division. Economic

performance was improved during military martial laws, very little public outrage

during absence of civil government. Ian Talbot said that “ The civilian dependence on

the military to provide internal security had already enabled the men in uniform to

renew their taste for power and drew them back into politics.” Pakistan’s military rise

and fall on four different occasions, their un popularity and people discontentment can

be traced. Ayub’s downfall happened after 1965 war and India’s perceived income

inequality between East and West Pakistan. Yahya forced to resign because he failed
7
Ishrat Hussain, Governing the Ungovernable (Karachi: Oxford, 2018), p. 291--296.
to transfer power to the winning candidate of 1970 election. Zia ul haq died accidently

but his policy of Islamization and restrictions of political parties led to popular

movements against him. Musharraf lost power due to his tussle with judiciary due to

lawyers movement. Military involved in politics either by covert rule or by overt rule.

Ayesha Siddiqa described in her book ‘Military Inc’ in which she described several

businesses of military, economic enterprises on basis of economic power which

increases interest of military in politics. Allotment of urban centers land and

agriculture land and perks enjoed by officers.8

Defence Policy

Pakistan develop his defence policy on the basis of India relations due to having

continues threat of war and since we have clashes with India in 1965, 1971, 1999

and Kargil as well. During early 1950s in Cold War Pakistan develop his policy

towards US, again in Afgan War with cooperation of CIA and ISI faught war with

US against USSR in 1980s, on the time of big incident of 9/11 on ‘War against

Terror’ Pakistan helped US because US declared terrorist state and allay of Talban in

the post 2001 period. That’s why Pakistan need to keep his defence system strong and

equipped with modern arms due to unfriendly neighbor. 9 Loss of East Pakistan

destroyed military internally due to war in 1971 with India 600,000 VS 1.2 million. In

1974 India do nuclear test in Rajasthan triggered Pakistan’s leadership both military

and political, in response Pakistan do his nuclear tests on 28 th May 1998 these tests

failed US concept of nuclear free zone. Movement in Kashmir in 1989, against India

on which India blamed Pakistan being responsible for violence. Hussain Haqqani

8
Ishrat Hussain, Governing the Ungovernable (Karachi: Oxford, 2018), p. 296---302.
9
Ibid, p. 302.
described that we are following ideological state that’s why Pakistan is behind in

almost all areas.10

Civil-Military Relations

Most hot and ever discussed topic when power resides with elected democratic

governments. 1990 to 2008 was troika period of 3 powers, as Talat Hussain believes

Pakistan is under Semi-civilian rule. As a result civilian governments dependent on

their COAS as Gen Bajwa, Gen Raheel and Gen. Kiyani. PPP leadership try to keep

establishment in good humour while PTI play Khaki gallery. Domination of military

in Pakistan is unsatisfactory dynastic political leadership is also important. During

1951 to 1958 we witnessed 6 PMs but elections only held in East Pakistan in 1954.

Army is not a Countervailing institution but is subset of executive branch of the state.

Military can be the stabilizer when Pakistan was in their weak situation. Civilian

demands on the military to undertake tasks outside of its professional domain to aid

civilian leads to a leadership crisis.11

Defence Expenditure

One of the major reason of state lagging social performance is garrison sate or

security state syndrome, as a smaller country fought 4 wars since 1947 building up

defence capability. As an allay of US in 1950s it provides military equipment to

Pakistan. Human development, education, health and other social sectors have been

diverted to fund defence spending. In period of 1950----1990 mostly period of martial

law in 1988 GDP touched 7.3%, however during 1999---2015 quite divergent time of

growing defence expenditure up to 9% annually. Then it will be reduced by 3.3% in

10
Ishrat Hussain, Governing the Ungovernable (Karachi: Oxford, 2018), p. 302—305.
11
Ishrat Hussain, Governing the Ungovernable (Karachi: Oxford, 2018), p. 305—310.
2002 than 2.7% in 2008 and 2.1% in 2012 almost. Number of conflicting numbers

floating around regarding military budget. 7 th NFC enhanced the share of the

provinces in divisible tax pool gradual rise in education and health and development

budget in general.12

Military Businesses

Military has its own foundations and trusts to run ebterprises and by that profits use

for welfare of pensioners, shaheed families. Fauji Foundation established in 1967 for

pensioners it earned almost 13.5 RS in 2016. It benefits 9.6 million people almost 7%

of total population. In 2015 foundation run 11 hospitals, 103 medical centers, 104

schools, 2 colleges and 7 TAVTI.

Army Welfare Trust has RS 50 billion including 16,000 acres of farmland , rice and

sugar mills, cement plant and insurance companies GHQ review performances of

these foundations. AWT owns 18 enterprises including Askari and fauji etc. Air force

have Shaheen foundation and navy have Bahria foundation.

Fauji fertilizer, Fauji bin Qasim, Fauji cement, Mari petroleum, Askari bank, Fauji

foods, Shaheen air line, Shehhen insurance and many more run by these foundations.

Ayesha Siddiqa estimates income is almost 100$ Billion.

FWO and NLC work under military and earn RS 5 Billion annually almost.13

Conclusion

Military rule almost 32 years out of 70 years and hold major portion of economy.

During post 2008 era period of restoration of democracy and successions of elected

12
Ishrat Hussain, Governing the Ungovernable (Karachi: Oxford, 2018), p. 310--313
13
Ishrat Hussain, Governing the Ungovernable (Karachi: Oxford, 2018), p. 313--318
governments are not easy a lot of criticism and involvement in politics is unfair.

Military is well organized and straight forward institution.