CSS Notes > Discuss the contemporary civil-military relations in Pakistan.
Introduction
Decades long interference of military in the politics of Pakistan is a written fact. Although today Pakistan is on the democratic track yet it does not completely check military from influencing country politics and government. With their methods changed military still plays active role in affairs that are of political nature.
Defining Civil-Military Relations
Civil-Military relations refer to the overall nature of engagement between the armed forces and civilian government of a country. Both are important stakeholders and possess enormous powers that often overlap. The extent of overlapping determines these relations.
Background of Civil-Military Relations
Pakistan had been under the military rule for more than three decades. This makes the armed forces to still maintain an influential position in political affairs. In the past, there are rare instances when civil-military relations get completely normal. Most of the times, these relations have been marked with mistrust and eagerness of armed forces to play a more active role in governmental affairs. In the past, armed forces have used the strict policies of Martial Laws to rule over this country.
Contemporary Civil-Military Relations
The contemporary civil-military relations are somehow better than they used to be in the past. These relations can be better understood from following assertions:
- The current regime of civil government has tried to keep military actively engaged in affairs that are specifically related to defense.
- Civil and military commands have been on the same page in most of the cases when it comes to regional security and those aspects of foreign policy which in some way affect the working of armed forces.
- The present government has avoided a direct tussle with the command of armed forces by accepting the role of military in governmental affairs and giving extensions to the COAS.
- The present civil government has refrained from limiting the role of armed forces and that has made this whole nature of relations sort of pacific.
Besides the assertions made above, there are certain points of contention, which can be seen in the current scenario, regarding the civil military relations. Some of these contentions can be summarized as following:
- Civil government is under enormous pressure of a segment of people who now strictly believe in democratic values and want a country that is free from interference of armed forces in politics.
- The concept of civilian supremacy in the current regime is stronger than it ever was but, its practical implications are not that obvious.
- Civil and military stakeholders are contesting over their roles and power-sharing but without coming into a direct active conflict with one another.
Conclusion
The civil military relations of present times can be termed as pacific. Civil government has engaged military in multiple affairs and it is also trying to keep itself in command over the armed forces. But, military on the other hand has changed its modus operandi. It is relying on modern formulas of power sharing and interfering in politics instead of using the old martial law techniques.