First part ended with the question why Army went against popular sentiment contrary to its erstwhile tradition. This is the only question that needs to be addressed. A satisfying answer may settle everything else change everything about Army. Before we could speculate, ISPR stepped up and educated the nation on penetration and intrusion. Likewise, explained how Army became apolitical from being neutral. None of it made any appeal to the masses except blessed PDM, reliable govt institutions, media hawkers and 'loyal' nokri paisha. For the first time in living memory, COAS gathered veterans to explain himself which otherwise explains alot. Reasons of economy on ventilator, CE not paying heed to number of advice including foreign policy, not appointing Aleem Khan as CM of Punjab etc were anything but convincing. For neutral cum apolitical Army being subservient institution had nothing to do with hard core political issues of governance whereas an Army fond of bossing political herd had everythig to do with it. If Army was trying to dictate CE, it was sheer meddling because otherwise politicians go back to people on completion of their term and get punished/ rewarded accordingly. Sketchy answers and poor logic by COAS in above mentioned gathering killed the curiosity and raised further questions. In line with Army ethos of discipline, formation commanders' conference ended with reaffirmation of confidence in the command. To be fair, Army didn't go after vocal veterans except Adil Raja incident whom people know has sense of judgment and proportion issues. How is it possible that agencies were out to pick up a guy and he ended up in London? And we all know who all flee to London.
Nevertheless, as identified earlier extension was the root cause of PTI's ouster and US' need to change regime acted as catalyst. Army hierarchy resembles pyramid like structure and no wonder Pharaoh sat on the top. Boss takes decisions and
undercommand comply. What is happening to the decision making head of the Army? Is there something wrong? God forbid, the only reliable and disciplined institution head is compromised? Or it was always like this that Army men at senior level (cross swords) get introduced to the real power and like to hang on to it? Was Aysha Siddiqa right in pointing fingers at Army businesses with revenues way above any other business in the country. Money and power have a chemistry, they complement each other. Or is it that a foot slogger like the scribe who wore Khaki with pride for two decades but never got exposed to the absolute power that has propensity to corrupt absolutely. And in navity and love of the institution kept hurling abuse on people like Ayesha Siddiqa?
We need to find out what compelled Chief to go out and explain to the veterans his decision of going against the popular sentiment? Like it is said in the begining that answer to this question is so critical that it may either settle everything or change everything. We shall continue our exploration in the next part.
Only Allah knows the whole Truth.
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