Some critics of the uniform within Pakistan genuinely (and rightly) believe that nationhood stems from Constitutional rule, the real bile and venom emanates from a despicable few mostly in line with vested external forces hostile to the country. Unfortunately the intense negative propaganda is joined by many who act in good faith but do not seem to understand the crass ulterior motives of our foreign detractors making multi-dimensional attacks on the Armed Forces (and the ISI). This has one objective and one objective alone, to denude us of our nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them. Our nuclear reality is the one strong deterrent that augments the Armed Forces in guarding our freedom, the ISI is our first line of defence against external enemies.
The aspirations of the present military hierarchy to stay out of the political process notwithstanding, soldiers are also citizens of the country. Their conscience must be treading the fail-safe line between tolerance and frustration, does the present mode and method of governance qualify in being honest and above board as required by the Constitution? While their fundamental duty is to act according to their oath, they also have to guard against any evil “even to the peril of their lives”. Populism based on personal motivation must be distrusted as it makes democracy vulnerable. Compounding bad governance, the Supreme Court (SC) is being treated with utter contempt by the govt, and why not, showing no intention of getting their judgment on NRO implemented, this is what the SC will get from the govt and what they should learn to quietly live with.
Despite taking a massive pounding because of the May 2 Abbottabad incident, recent polls conducted by external agencies must be painful for the Army’s detractors, the people of Pakistan (79%) still retain immense faith in them. When two P3C Orion surveillance aircrafts were destroyed at the Mehran Naval Aviation Base in Karachi on May 22, the Navy’s confirming ‘insider’ help for the militants did not help. Former COAS Pakistan Army, Gen Aslam Beg says, “the Americans did not blame their armed forces for 9/11 episode or the intelligence agencies for their failure to protect the country from the catastrophe. Similarly, after the attack in Mumbai in 2009, the Indians did not blame their armed forces or the intelligence agencies. Rather, they pointed their finger directly towards Pakistan, while the Americans put the entire blame on Osama and Al-Qaeda,” unquote.
There is some truth in the western drumbeat about individual Taliban sympathizers within the Armed Forces or the intelligence agencies, can the US certify its Armed Forces being free of individuals with extreme right wing views?. Or RSS sympathizers or Naxalites, etc not wearing Indian Army uniform, etc? To suggest Pakistan providing institutional support is ludicrous. There is method to the madness behind the propaganda machinery framing this psychological warfare, relentless pressure being exerted through constant leaks to the media. The immediate objective being to discredit the uniform, the ultimate aim is to separate Pakistan from its nukes.
The civil and military media units have failed miserably in protecting the army’s image, both at home and abroad. With a 19th century mindset, the 20th century ISPR shows no comprehension of 21st century media outreach potential. A well-coordinated media strategy that must project institutions and not individuals must be crafted by professionals to incorporate the new realities, simultaneously the military must be made more transparent and pro-active.
Distancing the Army from politics and governance (on taking over as COAS Kayani stopped the Army-officered intelligence services from interfering in the Feb 2007 elections, simultaneously all Army officers defacing governance in bureaucracy were recalled), he shows no inclination of distancing the uniform from the negative perception of corruption. Charity seems to begin at home, connected individuals are making billions by plot manipulations in real estate transactions or procurement contracts. NAB has prosecuted many bureaucrats for “living beyond their means,” why are those in uniform (and retired) breaking the same covenant not being held accountable? Allotting residential plots to officers must be discarded, in place one apartment or house must be given to every individual commensurate to his rank upon retirement.
Corruption in military purchases is not Pakistan-specific, it is rampant all over the world. The law requires that agents (or lobbyists) be registered by their Principals, their commission being included and declared in the prices quoted. Any money received beyond that, and if received abroad, constitutes illegality. In the “Tehelka” scam video recordings of Indian military officials taking bribes were shown, unfortunately not a single agent has been successfully prosecuted in Pakistan despite a wealth of evidence (and flagrantly displayed commensurate affluence) available. Influential agents openly boast about crafting GHQ’s General Staff Requirements (GSRs) and keeping the siphoning off millions of US dollars in commissions hidden. Was everyone in the F-16s and the French submarines deals brought to justice?
Image-building must be the realm of specialists, not paper tigers who have never heard a shot being fired in anger despite displaying rows of medals. A young and dynamic self-made advertising entrepreneur with amazing domestic and international experience, spelt out the most effective means of neutralizing negativity against the uniform, viz (1) counter misunderstandings through change campaign (2) create positive news towards the agenda of Pakistan. In countering misunderstandings one has to (1) do damage control on a day to day basis (2) announce process of change candidly explain situations, challenges and plan for progress within military (3) facelift all existing touchpoints including TV ads, songs, online touchpoints and others around this process of change (4) remind the public of past and present achievements and (5) emphasize young military faces for greater connection with the audience. In creating positive news, the “dream merchant’s” gameplan envisages (1) a vision for betterment of Pakistan through human development (2) realization of vision through tangible initiatives with outreach audience. This can be done by (1) Leadership (2) Innovation and (3) upliftment. Among the initiatives, viz (1) creating ambassadors on the ground (2) opportunity to engage the youth of Pakistan through their opinions and voluntary support and (3) creating perception change of the Armed Forces.
Democracy being the cementing factor for Pakistan’s unity is good in theory, for all practical purposes it is the Armed Forces that holds the country together. Nevertheless, being the prime guarantor of our sovereignty does not mean that they should consider themselves the masters of the realm and not subject to accountability. A small minority in uniform believed it did, unfortunately an even smaller percentage benefited enormously by this. For the vagaries of a few misguided individuals, the institution has nothing to be ashamed of.
The penchant to rule has made the Army vulnerable to the propaganda of external forces. One of the finest fighting machines in the world, the Army is capable of warding off adventure from any quarter. Crucial to Pakistan’s existence, the very nature of this country’s demography and geography makes the Army the champion of the State in all senses of the word.
The Army must get its image in sync with the tremendous sacrifice of its young men in the bloody killing fields of Swat and Waziristan
Courtesy: The News
