How did the politicians earn military disdain?
Dr. Jassim Taqui
Throughout the democratic history of Pakistan, the politicians acted as puppets to the military rulers and sought power through them. Once they attained power, they revolted against their benefactors by trying to tame the strong Military Establishment(ME).
This trend is applicable to all politicians. ZA Bhutto (1947-1979) came to power through Gen. Muhammad Ayub Khan (27 October 1958- 25 March 1967). Ironically, Bhutto formed the Pakistan People’s Party ,PPP, and agitated against Gen. Ayub Khan and forced him to resign.
Bhutto contested the 1970 elections, which was held by Gen. Yahya Khan(1917-1980). Bhutto won only in the West Pakistan, while Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s Awami League (AL) party swept the elections in East Pakistan but won more votes than Bhutto’s PPP.
However, Bhutto maneuvered and convinced Gen. Yahya Khan not to hand power to Sheikh Mujibur Rahman since he wanted himself to be the next president. The delay of handing power to Rahman caused unrest in East Pakistan. The unrest was fed by India, which ultimately invaded East Pakistan. Hence, Bangladesh was created. The blame, however, must be put on ZA Bhutto who exploited the national trauma and used it to forced Gen. Yahya Khan to resign.
Oddly, Bhutto got rid from Gen. Ayub Khan, Gen. Yahya Khan and even East Pakistan to become the ruler of Pakistan. He did enjoy ruling since he ruled as chief martial law administrator, President and Prime Minister. Yet, he did the blunder of rigging the 1975 election. All Opposition parties allied themselves by forming PNA( Pakistan National Alliance). The PNA agitated against him; prompting Gen. Zia ul Haq to impose the martial law on 5th July 1977. Later, Zia hang Bhutto on 4th April 1979 after a long trial on allegedly ordering the assassination of a political opponent.
Gen. Muhammad Zia ul Haq (1924-1988) ruled also with the help of the politicians. In 1985, he held non-party election. Nobody could control the elected National Assembly. Ultimately, Gen. Zia ul Haq selected Mohammad Khan Junejo and permitted him to form a party from the elected MNAs. Thus, PML(J) emerged as a blessing of the ME. Still, intense power struggle started between Junejo and Gen. Zia ul Haq. Ultimately, Junejo was dismissed and Gen. Zia secretly cooperated with Nawaz Sharif to split PML(J) and create PML(N).
Nawaz Sharif was ready to contest the new elections that was supposed to be held in November 1988 after Zia’s dissolution of the National Assembly on 29 May 1988 hoping to win the elections with a push from. Gen. Zia ul Haq.
Unfortunately for Nawaz Sharif, his godfather Gen. Zia suddenly died on 17th August, 1988 in a mysterious plane crash. The elections were held in November 1988 under the supervision of the Senate Chairman, Ghulam Ishaq Khan who became acting President after the death of Gen. Zia. In that elections, PML(N) failed to wind a simple majority. It was the Benazir Bhutto who won more seats and was elected as Prime Minister.
Both Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif were engaged in power struggle with the army when they were in power. Both were dismissed twice by the ME.
Nawaz Sharif was the worst among the puppet prime ministers in revolting against the army chiefs even as he was created by ME from a virtual zero popularity .
Nawaz Sharif was engaged in power struggles with many serving COAS even as they played a role in bringing him to power , including Gen. Asif Nawaz, Gen. Jehangir Karamat and Gen. Pervez, Musharraf.
Presently, Nawaz Sharif is engaged in power struggle with Gen. Raheel Sharif. The ongoing power struggle is the most dangerous one since Nawaz Sharif is attempting to force the ME to be the puppet of the Americans and the Indians who are scheming to isolate Pakistan from China and sabotage the CPEC. The ultimate game is to ensure the emergence of India as a regional superpower to contain the economic and military resurgence of China.
If, the scheme fails, the United States would implement the plan B, which is the disintegration of Pakistan and/or the confederation of the disintegrated provinces of Pakistan with India. The US administration does not care what happens to Pakistan as long as New Delhi remains a regional superpower.
Al-Bab would give more details about the Obama Plan in store for Pakistan,which is almost unbelievable.
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