A Testament to the Ingenuity of Soldiers

Given the Pakistani political climate's contemporary series of unending fiasco's, which range from such intriguing spectacles as democratically "elected" politicians ousting deeply entrenched military regimes; only to usher in an era of undeniably greater and multifaceted instability, clean shaven and bearded despots attempting to lay siege to the capital in order to oust a "popularly" elected government through the use of sheer street power and the thinly disguised rhetoric of extra-constitutional means of assault, media houses epitomizing what it means to harbour an agenda and ignoring all journalistic conventions of non-partisanship, as well as the acerbic squabbles between politicians on a lesser ranking in the hierarchy within their respective parties against their opponents on virtually every private and national TV channel; it does not come as a surprise that the average Pakistani is left scratching his head in utter bewilderment regarding which side's narrative to accept.

The current PML-N government, with its customary and predictable policy of trying to suppress all forms of protest through the use of extreme force and brutality, to the further detriment of its already shattered image as a moral entity, fares even worse amidst this ensuing climate of political anarchy, with compromise between the competing factions, itself and the PTI-PAT duo, scarcely on its agenda. It seems that only the Army is maintaining its proper stance and functioning, as per the procedures listed in detail within the codified constitution of the state.

A State, in its most basic sense, is built upon the bedrock of a series of fundamental institutions whose harmonious functioning is crucial to the welfare and efficient operation of the entire polity. Lack of institutional conflict, unity of purpose and ideology, and a general loyalty to the doctrines and principles upon which the said state has been conceived are essential pre-requisites which, if realized in their proper fashion, make its presence felt legitimately and forcefully in a global arena. As gleaned from a variety of standardized texts on governance in the present century, this delineation of the State's role is the accepted convention practised.

The constituent components of the state; namely the legal concepts of sovereignty, a social contract between the Executive and the local citizenry, territorial demarcations which define the land boundary, as well as the guiding dictates of the encoded, enshrined Constitution; the definitive law of the land, can only serve their intended functions as essential state organs if they are allowed to work in an environment unadulterated by selfish endeavours of individuals or dissenting groups, and outside influences bent upon impeding or curtailing their necessary operations, aiming to inflict damage to the said body-politic. And this is precisely where the State's primary security force, the Military, comes in; not to intervene in the political process, but to guarantee its health.

The Army, which falls under the confines of the stated executive authority as per constitutional provisions, with its fundamental role being that to safeguard the integrity and welfare of the state from both domestic and foreign threats, using any and all legal methods of counter strategy and forceful execution at its disposal, has perhaps the most crucial task of keeping the entire structure from collapsing in on itself.

Indeed, in our contemporary age of national and intra-territorial enmities, ranging from social, ethnic, class, generational and sectarian conflicts, as well as a whole barrage of other contentious issues which are wreaking havoc to our viability as a nation with each passing moment; the institution of the Army remains, in a practical sense, the only stable state-entity guarding us in our periods of constant trial and struggle, and thereby preventing us from taking a final plunge down the cliff, towards the quagmire of national disintegration which is beckoning us to fall with increasing rapidity.

In this regard, the U.S imposed War on Terror, and its subsequent collateral of innocent Pakistani Army personnel and civilian casualties, who become victims of fundamentalist aggression as payback for siding with the controversial war effort, undoubtedly remains the most conspicuous of all challenges facing our proudly sovereign country today. The dismal, shallow mindsets of our politicians and their complete inability to justify their statuses as elected representatives of the citizenry, as well as the unchecked, ratings-dependent vitriolic onslaughts of the "free" media spewing sensational controversies left, right and centre; both comprise concerns which unmistakably add further fuel to this raging cauldron of woes.

Furthermore, as if this internal condition of utter disarray wasn't enough of a constraint in our path towards political/economic prosperity, the treacherous assaults and aspirations of our long-time eastern foe, and its chronic meddling in our national affairs since the inception of our homeland, as well as the strategic animosity displayed towards Pakistan by its western neighbours in general and competing, global intelligence-interests in particular, represent challenges that greatly foster the descent of additional burden falling on the shoulders of our security agencies. Such issues provide for common parlance in our everyday conversations on the media, as well as casual discussions in informal settings.

The narrative detailed above is important for every modern-day Pakistani citizen to understand, and empathize with; in particular the aspiring youth of the country. We need to realize that Pakistan is our identity, and a vibrant, dynamic reality of our contemporary age, and future. Its unique cultures, geographical landscapes and diverse terrains, and ideological foundations are worth cherishing, promoting and defending, against all forms of violence and degradation. Its realization as an independent country from British colonial rule represents a history of grave sacrifices, and principled stands taken by great men and women who have served their homeland tirelessly, in the hope of transferring its nature-endowed beauty and legacy to a newer generation of hopefully even more patriotic individuals.

As has been pointed out previously, the vital institution of the Army represents the only de-facto, and effective, organized and disciplined force keeping this enchanting vision of sovereign Pakistan a reality. Had it not been for the unceasing zeal and commitment of the said force, and its endeavour to put the country first and every other concern second, we would have been witnesses to a considerably more perilous and fragmented Pakistan. The unity of the Pakistani state is a testament to the valour and ingenuity of its soldiers.

Indeed, this fact cannot be stated enough to warrant its rectification, and this knowledge needs to be circulated far and wide on every possible forum, so that the common Pakistani citizen can fully appreciate the importance of strong and committed state institutions, and how the country essentially needs each one to function effectively, to ensure its continued prosperity and survival.

The current crises in Islamabad will eventually abate, with the political landscape only changing slightly. What will remain are this country's institutions, and the people who have made it their purpose in life to defend them.

[Disclaimer given by the writer: The writer is not an advocate of Military Rule, but an individual deeply pessimistic of the country's democratic process; a grim tale of very few highs and considerable lows, as history relates.]

ISPR