When Gen Bajwa recently held talks with the media — the content of which were published in this newspaper — he did not hold back. Indeed, he told his audience that not only did he support Pakistan’s democracy, he had saved it. There was also talk of having defeated terrorism across vast swathes of the country and of reviewing laws such as the 1861 Police Act as well as the 18th Amendment, all in the name of good governance. Just as there was mention of the military’s own sacrifices as part of the National Action Plan, combined with regret that the fourth estate did not always over-duly praise the men in khaki. Gen Bajwa’s clear stance against violent extremists should be welcomed. And even though it will be music to American ears, all Pakistanis should welcome this, too. For as the good general noted — this country’s future as a functional, law-based democracy is at stake. Not only that, in his calls for indiscriminate accountability the COAS spared no institution; not even his own. For he pointed to the deviation from the law by civilian as well as military elites. Indeed, Gen Bajwa underscored how the military establishment is a different entity to the last time it went for direct rule. Yet the question remains: is it really? Just because the Army is in the barracks does not necessarily mean that the door is bolted. After all, it should left up to the civilians to get parliamentary consensus on key issues affecting national interests. Instead of, say, seeking a clandestine go-ahead from the then Prime Minister regarding the mainstreaming of former proxies and going it alone when the latter wouldn’t play ball. This is indicative of a broader phenomenon that sees a military in ‘retreat’ issuing increasingly politicised statements. From the COAS last summer asserting that bringing prosperity to the people of Balochistan on par with other provinces was his main objective. To his effectively warning politicians that subversion of the judiciary or its directives would not be tolerated. And while there is merit in cautioning a sitting government against confrontation with the courts in the event of an unfavourable ruling — this is the job of the opposition. Similarly, there is not much comfort to be had when the Army chief says his institution will vociferously defend the democratic order. For again, this is the duty of Pakistan’s lawmakers and its courts. Whereas the military is tasked with safeguarding national borders from hostile elements; either external or otherwise. This rare media briefing by Gen Bajwa reportedly also saw him take to task the former Finance minister, Ishaq Dar — whom he referred to as utterly disastrous — for being responsible for Pakistan’s recent grey-listing at the FATF. Altaf Hussain was also not spared as the Army chief termed him history. Then came the admission that the military was, indeed, working quietly behind-the-scenes to get the Afghan Taliban to talk peace. Again, such announcements should have been left to the civilian set-up to deliver. Thus what we had from the COAS was akin to a party ‘broadcast’. This raises a serious question about the future direction of the democratic order and in particular the necessity of a fair election free of engineering by the invisible hand of Pakistani state. The outgoing senator Aitzaz Ashan perhaps missed the boat in warning the PMLN that its continued targeting of the judiciary will prompt the overthrow of the democratic order. For while there is value in what he says — it may have already happened. * Published in Daily Times, March 13th 2018.