In recent days, some circles have demanded an extension of the tenure of General Raheel Sharif, the army chief, the propriety of which needs to be examined in the present context of our history. Government service is a disciplined cadre of employees designed to serve the people and the state, and is governed by specific laws and rules. It has a specific ladder of ranks and posts through which the employees continue to move during their entire service career by promotions on the basis of certain merit for higher responsibilities. Thus, besides finding a means of their livelihood, what keeps servicemen clinging to the fabric of service is the lure of going up this ladder and holding greater and greater responsibilities through their promotions. In other words, promotion to the next rank or post is not merely an embellishment but is its sine qua non without which its entire fabric would collapse. Under Article Nine of the Constitution, no one can be deprived of his/her rights save in accordance with the law.
If government servants are only to be dealt with according to the law, then why is this mischief commonly known as extension? And who concocted this to stay in the pristine fabric of government service, said to be a disciplined force entrusted with the sacred duty of serving the people and the state? A serious study into this question would lead us to some un-savoury conclusions and lay bare certain diabolical moves of actors belonging to the power play of the past who did all this to serve their ulterior motives.
There is no provision in the Pakistan Army Act of 1956 or rules under which an extension of complete tenure could be granted to any person subject to the Army Act. By granting extension of full tenure to General Kayani, not only was he allowed to surpass the age of superannuation on April 20, 2012 but was also permitted to remain in uniform after attaining the age of 60. Because of this extension, nearly a dozen lieutenant generals had to retire and could not even be considered to become full generals, which is the dream of every soldier. Asif Ali Zardari later gave him another extension, as it then suited the regime. Even if such a thing were made possible by maneuvering the executive’s decrees or manipulation of rules without parliamentary approval, it would still have no moral sanction and would go down as an act of bad motive.
There is no doubt that General Raheel Sharif has won the hearts of the people of Pakistan by taking quick and effective action against the terrorists and by the extremely wise command of his force. By his sheer hard work, he has made the army an invincible outfit ready to meet all external and internal threats. It has stood as a firm rock behind his able and inspiring leadership. During all the tumultuous political activity since he took over his command, he has scrupulously avoided treading outside his domain, which has endeared him to the masses and has won him international acclaim and respect. All patriotic Pakistanis wish and pray for his success in the future. However, does that mean that his good acts warrant an extension of his tenure? It must be remembered that he still has ample time to combat the dangers faced by the country. General Raheel will retire towards the close of the next year and by that time we expect that his valiant team and possible successor would be fully ready to ably replace him and continue with his mission.
For the true growth of a nation, it is not the individual but the institution that matters. We, being an impetuous and sentimental people, are always eager to settle scores with the world by making or breaking it. The concept of strengthening the institution is still alien to us. We continue to live in the chivalric age of Arthurian romances when one gallant knight alone was sufficient enough to set an evil order onto the right track. The Pakistan army is an institution where all affairs are governed by strict merit. That is why it has preserved its reputation as a highly disciplined force in the world. It is therefore natural to expect that the leadership born of this framework should stand by the rules of the game, which demand that after the duty is performed and the day is done the mantle of leadership should serenely pass into the hands of the next deserving man. This is the law of nature and the rule of prudence. Any deviation from this course is bound to sully the good name of the army as an institution besides causing a multitude of negative feelings and tendencies. It is a pity that known political entities like Mr Khurshid Shah, the leader of the opposition, and General Pervez Musharraf, the former president, should clamour for the extension in service of General Raheel without knowing its future consequences. We must learn to live in the realities of the present day world where everyone is subject to laws and rules, and strong institutions have assumed more importance than personalities.
The desire to demand an extension of General Raheel’s tenure probably emanates from the lurking fear of a possible reversal of his policies, which is absolutely groundless. If the Pakistan army as an institution is strong and vibrant, and alive to the will and aspirations of the people, such a fear has no basis. And those who harbour this possibility have certainly their own axe to grind. Let us make our institutions strong by fully adhering to the laws and rules on which they are based and through which they gain strength and stability.
The writer is a former member of the provincial civil service and can be reached at [email protected]