Daily Times

In a rare move, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa decided to go to Senate upon Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani’s invitation and briefed legislators on national security issues in addition to taking them into confidence over security establishments’ regional and international vision.

It appears that the military has decided to keep the parliamentarians, who are thought to have little to no say in national security issues, in loop over such matters. In September this year, members of the National Assembly and Senate’s Defence committees  visited General Headquarters (GHQ), a move which was criticised by many observers who were of the opinion that the army chief should have instead visited the parliament. There is no harm in lawmakers visiting GHQ, but since elected and un-elected institutions of the country did not have good working relationship, the idea of parliamentarians visiting GHQ was not appreciated. The COAS went to Senate not because the honourable legislators wanted him to come but it was his own decision. What is embarrassing is that the lawmakers did not seem to know that they do have the authority to call in the military officials to brief them over issues of national importance.

In the question-answer session, the questions put forth by the Senators were not of any strategic significance and petty questions regarding military’s involvement in political issues were asked.

For politicians, parliament is last refuge because whenever a government faces some resistance, it knocks the parliament’s door. The people of Pakistan must urge the ruling elite of the country to accept the importance of institutions and not keep the platform of parliament for use only at the time of crisis. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had to visit parliament regularly when Imran Khan and Tahir ul Qadri were leading a sit-in in front of the parliament. The former PM used to be absent otherwise and started attending sessions only when he found his government under pressure from the protesters.

The army chief made it clear during his Senate briefing that if the parliament takes the lead and develop good relations with India, the military will fully support it. He was subtly asking the lawmakers to take ownership of the issues which they have been ignoring for quite some time

In 2017, out of 106 sessions, Nawaz Sharif only attended 6 which shows the importance he attaches to supremacy of the parliament. Meanwhile, un-elected institutions are now feeling that external pressure is brewing up where President Trump is calling Pakistan an agent of chaos. Although the US recognised Paksitan’s efforts in countering terror, White House took a position that was completely different from that of State and Defence Departments. The recent national security strategy by the US has flawed observations about Pakistan’s nukes, knowing that the country has institutionalised and most responsible nuclear pregame. It seems the US wants to increase the list of irritants with Pakistan for coming months which will not bode well for Pak-US ties.  The recent statement by US Vice President in Afghanistan must be taken seriously in Pakistan and the parliament must speak out against it collectively. Having parliament on board is necessary on this issue by un-elected officials. In this regard, the recent meeting of National Command Authority which Prime Minister Abbasi chaired, actually gave message to Trump administration that Pakistan’s nuclear assets are a red line and that any statement over them would not be taken lightly by the country. Civilian leadership has full confidence in command and control system and security arrangements which have been taken to ensure comprehensive stewardship and security of strategic assets and materials. Nobody should be allowed to talk irresponsibly about most sensitive issue of the country’s nuclear assets. Pakistan has responded to the statement through its powerful National Command Authority headed by civilian and military leadership, but the parliament should also have discussed the matter.

Since Prime Minster Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has assumed office, he held a number of meetings of National Security committee (NSC). He understands that he does not enjoy the legitimacy Nawaz Sharif enjoyed, so he has ensure that the institutions are on his side. NSC in its recent  meeting, advised the National Security Adviser to make national security policy. Unfortunately in Pakistan, it is hardly known when our institutions make national security policy because such matters are not made public and it also remains unclear as to which institutions are actually making such policies. We have not seen the National Security Adviser working effectively and he is nowhere to be found at the time of discussion on important issues related to national security. If making national security policy is the job of National Security Adviser, then why has he delayed the process? Was he waiting for the PM’s approval?

It is time for state institutions to work effectively as they are being paid and enjoying perks from tax payers money. The army chief made it clear during his Senate briefing that if the parliament takes the lead and develop good relations with India, the military will fully support it. He was subtly asking the lawmakers to take ownership of the issues which they have been ignoring for quite some time. The parliamentarians must have felt embarrassed for not doing their work properly. It is about time our parliamentarians realised that their job is not merely related to development work but legislation and formulating a way forward for people who chose you are among their duties. It seems they are more interested in collecting funds in the name of development, than introducing meaningful legislation.

The way parliament demolished democratic culture by paving the way for former Prime Minster Nawaz Sharif’s re-election as president of his party after disqualification by Supreme Court is an example of how parliamentarians use the forum for their own interests.

The writer is is Strategic and Political analyst. He teaches international politics in NUML Islamabad

Published in Daily Times, December 24^th 2017.