Daily Times

Sir: In your editorial ‘The army and the people’ (Daily Times, June 1), you have rightly stated that the “revisionist nationalism” in the 50s elevated the status of generals above the politicians and that the relationship between the people and the army in later decades was also of rivals. In the 80s, however, PPP was the sole anti-military party; the intellectuals and the masses sympathising with the PPP were looked at with suspicion of their ‘nationalism’. The PPP-less parties and the rightwing press, notably vernacular, considered the PPP to be a security risk. This difference of the press even exists today.

Nawaz’s ouster by the military and Musharraf’s posture as a liberal ruler have turned things upside down. It has pitted the regressive elements against the military. This reads that the majority is fed up with the army. Worst, even our thinking has turned topsy-turvy. The ultra-conservative forces still fear the exaggerated threats (perceived) across the border. There are writers, for instance, who are famous for their hatred of the Other. The fear of the enemy’s alleged evil designs decrees the military all-powerful. A coup is merely an opportunity to which the word “bloodless” is also attached.
What General Musharraf spoke at the Jhelum garrison as usual spelled security breach. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has adopted a trend of masking every issue as sensitive, as if everyone is too gullible to understand the facts. Not only its role in politics but also its expenditures need to be checked. As taxpayers, the people must exercise their right to monitor the use of their money. The recent move by Islamabad Club at the orders of the rulers to prevent the launch of Dr Ayesha Siddiqa’s book is an example of how the government is conducting itself and trying to hide things. The foolish advisers of the rulers have facilitated the needed exposure of the book.
MUHAMMAD ISMAIL KHAN
Islamabad