Colin S. Gray defined strategy in the simplest form by arguing it to be ‘the bridge between policy and objectives’. Similarly, Sir Julian Corbett declared ‘doctrine to be the soul of warfare’. Likewise, tactics are ‘how to do things’ in the pursuit of fulfilling the strategy. A few believe the strategy to be limited only to war; however, its scope is equally applicable in peace as well. Strategy, doctrine and tactics have a complex and scrupulously intertwined relationship and are not limited to war only. There exists a thin line between war and politics since Clausewitz argued that ‘war is the political activity by other means’.
Clausewitz advocated that ‘war is ultimately a conflict of wills’. By the virtue of this very definition, it is obvious that Imran Khan and Nawaz Sharif having divergent political views, beliefs and objectives are at war. In the early 1990s, Imran and Nawaz were best friends and later were a part of All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM). Nevertheless, just like international politics, domestic politics is a dangerous business where there are no permanent friends and no constant enemies.
Since the inception of his party, PTI, Imran Khan’s strategy was to cleanse Pakistani politics of corruption and ill practices while be sitting at the helm of affairs. Apparently, because of this very reason, PTI remained a marginal party until, May 12, 2007, when Imran successfully used the riots and arson in Karachi during the Lawyers Movement for political gains.
Imran’s doctrine was thoroughly moral and ethical in the past i.e. to induct and recruit people with immaculate political and moral background. However, while adapting to the circumstances Imran switched to the traditional mantra of employing candidates capable of ‘winning seats’ status regardless of the individuals and their moral credentials — clearly abrogating and repealing pivots of the doctrine. Imran realised that instrumental approach was far more lucrative in relation to the normative one. The change in doctrine is backfiring from within — the recent Senate Elections and PTI members giving votes to other candidates while violating the party policy is a clear example. A doctrine must be flexible; nevertheless, Imran’s doctrine is more adaptive than required and is deviating from its core values.
Sun Tzu argued that ‘Having a strategy without tactics is the slowest road to victory and having tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat’. Consequently, this is the basic reason that Imran Khan apart from having an undeniable presence in the hearts and minds of the people is not able to materialise his strategic objectives.
It is believed by many that one just doesn’t win because of one’s superior strategy and tactics but by the mistakes made by the adversary. The Panama Papers is the best example that how Imran exploited and seized the opportunity of maligning Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). However, PTI could not maintain the pace of its advance in the backdrop of Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification. The disqualification of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was not the culminating point of victory for Imran and PTI — since after the disqualification of Sharif — Imran and PTI lost their cause for.
Imran’s doctrine was thoroughly moral and ethical but he switched to the traditional mantra of employing candidates capable of ‘winning seats’ regardless of their moral credentials — clearly abrogating and repealing pivots of the doctrine
Imran Khan is missing Nawaz Sharif as a Prime Minister comparably when after the collapse of Soviet Union, American Realist John Mearsheimer argued in his article that ‘Why We Will Soon Miss the Cold War’. Correspondingly, Clausewitz argued that ‘the essence of the war is fighting… …the destruction of enemy’s main fighting force’. While keeping in view this, Imran’s priority should have been to target Nawaz Sharif’s political assets and fighting force i.e. leaders, supporters and voters of PML-N — while eliminating their political affiliations and connection with Nawaz Sharif.
The verdict of July 28, 2017, was not in the favour of Imran Khan and PTI — it was the beginning of Nawaz Sharif’s victory — that everyone is witnessing today and are likely to see more. The verdict enabled Nawaz to play in a more offensive manner and is successfully playing the victim card and rallying public support in his favour. Nawaz Sharif’s march from Islamabad to Lahore while garnering sympathies and the ostensibly, preposterous but muscular, captivating and powerful rhetoric of ‘mujhay kyun nikala’ — was the best tactic that is harnessing strategic results.
Sun Tzu argued that those who understand strategy will survive and those who don’t will perish. Apparently, Nawaz Sharif, Maryam Nawaz and the PML-N have a better strategy with superior tactics with a clear doctrine to achieve their political objectives. However, a few intervening variables often hinder strategy, for instance, unreliable allies — manifested in the recent Senate Elections.
Imran needs new strategists to realize his dreams of becoming the Prime Minister — simply marrying a woman of deep religious and spiritual association probably won’t work. Apparently, there are little flaws in Imran’s strategy. However, his tactics are not supportive of the strategy.
The political tug of war is an intrinsic and innate feature of democracy. However, the politicians of Pakistan have to realize that their quarrels over political gains must not cross political boundaries. The culture of using other pillars and institutions of the state and dragging them into politics is gravely endangering the political culture of Pakistan. The point to understand is that the Neo-Classical Realist school of thought of the Realist tradition argues that foreign politics of any country is actually the reflection of its domestic politics. Under this premise, it is conceivable that Pakistan’s international standing and the perceptions of the world at large about Pakistan — have been greatly shaped by the decisions, behaviours and actions of the political actors and entities.
The writer can be reached at: [email protected]
Published in Daily Times, March 21st 2018.