While I’ve committed to take some time off from actively writing, but because I’ve recently received some rather harsh criticism on my views about the Army and our current situation, inadvertently circulated by “well meaning” friends. Here’s my perspective. I think coherent dialogue eludes us as a society and as individuals, even our so called intelligent and aware ones who also tend to promote simplistic black and white narratives. It’s like, hey, you’re either with us or against us. Many amongst us are unable to rise above this most basic, nearly animal like instinct. For example, if one says that the major cause of Pakistan’s current political problems and infrastructure destruction has a lot to with military interventions, then facts do indicate that it’s not far from the truth. In the same breath one can also say that the Pakistan Army has been spared the institutional destruction of its civilian counter parts because corrupt civilian politicians couldn’t or were not allowed to interfere in its internal affairs, primarily because of influence acquired due to 33 years of Martial Law. It is also true that our Army today is our most disciplined and effective institution and also that its overwhelming influence and footprint, which is far in excess of its mandate, is a consequence of its 33 years rule, the non-interference by civilian politicians and the vacuum left behind by dysfunctional and destroyed civilian institutions. It is also true that we can criticise and laud an institution or its leaders for their wrongs and rights, at the same time, in the same breath and in the same discussion. *This is called constructive dialogue or criticism.* Today our enemies, external and internal, will of course hit out at the weaknesses, including the Army’s Achilles heels to create discord and confusion in people’s minds, even the good ones amongst us. This deliberate mixing of half truths and complete lies will happen, because we all have different filters and prisms through which we view the Army. For example someone’s filters and prisms is overwhelmingly coloured by their negative experiences or views about martial laws, military heavy handedness, interference in political processes vs those who see the Army’s efficiency, their sacrifices, their discipline, their effectiveness, their merit driven culture, their relative less corruption and their ability in making things happen etc. It really all depends on what filter one wears and sees the military with! One can also argue that, today, the Army is perhaps our only institution that helps deliver effective results in both the military and civilian spheres. Hence weakening it greatly weakens us as a society and as a country, perhaps even with existential consequences! While its critical in these current times for the military to support the current administration, I repeat, their sole, single minded razor sharp focus and agenda is to help rebuild civilian institutions However one can also argue that this complete reliance on the Army as our sole pillar or source of strength and national power is not at all desirable for Pakistan, with very serious long term consequences both for the institution and for the country. Because if this continues, however great and genuine the good intent behind it, it will eventually result in the same type of fascism and police state environment as prevails or prevailed in countries like Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen etc and with similar consequences, weakening the state and the institution. The only desirable situation for Pakistan is to have both very strong civilian and military institutions, free of interference on either side, so all can be as assertive, as effective and as merit driven as our military. *This, to me, should be our sole, single minded razor sharp focus and agenda.* This will of course not happen overnight given the rot as a consequence of both military and civilian misrule resulting in the complete dysfunctionality and destruction of our civilian institutions. But looking at these past two years and things like changing 5 Chief Secretaries in Punjab, the last, Azam Suleman, who I understand was and is a thoroughly competent and honest professional and 4 IG’s, is not evidence in that direction. Hypothetically speaking imagine the consequences on the Army of changing 5 Corps Commanders in 2 years. Or 5 DG ISI’s. Or 5 DIV commanders, simply because an Army chief has other agendas? The military became what it did because it saved itself from institutional decay by self-serving, corrupt politicians, as a consequence of Martial Laws and the overwhelming power they consequently acquired. One can of course argue that perhaps it was good that the Army took over and saved themselves from institutional destruction which befell their civilian counter parts. But then one can also argue that had Military Chiefs not taken over maybe we would have had much better quality civilian political leaders, stronger civilian institutions, better legislation, better police, better bureaucrats, better judges, better schools, better hospitals, better physical infrastructure. Who knows? Why is it that despite 33 years of Martial Laws we are worse off than before? The civilians were corrupt, so I don’t blame them! Why couldn’t our military dictators create and sustain better schools, hospitals, improve standards of living, create growth opportunities, jobs and well being for the common man and break the elite capture of corrupt special interest groups? Why do we continue to hear that our military has become another special interest elite capturing institution? Why do we see better hospitals, better schools, better infrastructure only available to members of the military? And let us not forget the fact that the coming into power of these destructive civilian politicians like ZAB, Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto, Zardari were all products of or as a consequence of military interventions. So why don’t we do a root cause analysis vs simply blaming the corrupt civilian politicians for our mess? Intelligent people should not get into binary black and white arguments, but try and understand why those who do not think like them, think differently and hold different opinions, also hold the good of this country as much as those they disagree with. I urge our senior Military leadership to discern and differentiate between those who have evil motives against the country and the institution, and those who don’t, yet still may not agree with way certain things happen. The Pakistan Army is an amazing institution and I’m proud to have served in it. A large part of what I’m today is because of the Army. It is imperative that all our civilian institutions become like our Army, efficient, effective, merit driven, relatively honest and corruption free. And one hope the Army does not deteriorate in its standards, especially moral and ethical. Our future lies in this! While its critical in these current times for the military to support the current administration, I repeat, their sole, single minded razor sharp focus and agenda is to help rebuild civilian institutions. PM Imran and his administration needs major help and support given the devastation in the civilian governance landscape to tide over these very difficult times. Haider Mehdi is a Geo political commentator / blogger on National and International affairs. Formerly a media anchor, corporate leader, management consultant, start up entrepreneur and military officer, he tweets @HaiderKonsult and blogs on shrmehdi.com