Daily Times

Sir: I’m amused by the military establishment’s crude attempt to block Dr Ayesha Siddiqua’s book launch. Now the book will become ten times more popular as a result. We have the utmost respect for our soldiers fighting for our security. However, we have little respect for the Generals running our army. The top military hierarchy has taken control of our political domain at the expense of our political and state institutions. The judiciary has been attacked, media entities have been harassed, and political opponents have been beaten up. Needless to say, the military’s thirst for political clout grows as it seeks to grow its $10 billion economic empire. If unchecked, this trend will surely degrade the military’s capability as a security institution. Military officers increasingly run civilian institutions across the country. Furthermore, state bailouts for army welfare entities are on the rise, which in reality are only benefiting the elite within the military. If the army wants to be respected as an institution, it must give up its self-serving agenda, leave the political domain to the civilians, and focus on its primary objective, which is to fight for and protect our country.

UMAR B
Via email