‘Memogate', the fresh controversy that has enmeshed the democratic government in Pakistan, is yet another round in the strained relations between the civilian dispensation and the military. As before, the Pakistan Army has come out on top. The crisis was set off when a dubious Pakistani-American businessman claimed he had carried a memo from President Asif Ali Zardari to Admiral Mike Mullen, who was then chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, asking for U.S. help to prevent a military takeover in the wake of the Osama bin Laden raid in Abbottabad. Pakistan's Ambassador in Washington, Hussain Haqqani, is said to be the person who drafted and handed over the memo to the businessman. If true, why the businessman entrusted with a top secret mission should have chosen to go public with it, of all places, in a write-up inFinancial Times, itself raises many questions. That President Zardari and Mr. Haqqani should have thought a coup was in the air after the May 1 fiasco for the Pakistan Army is no less intriguing: in retrospect, there has been no worse moment for the Pakistan Army in recent times, and no better time for the civilian government vis-à-vis the military. The real story behind this episode may not come out for quite a while. But its immediate fallout is likely to be the replacement of Mr. Haqqani. The Pakistan Army sees him as an irritant in its relations with the U.S. He was blamed for clauses in the Kerry-Lugar legislation that made U.S. aid to Pakistan conditional on the Pakistan Army's good behaviour. He is also blamed for not being combative enough with Washington and for compromising national sovereignty in bilateral dealings. His likely departure will be a political loss for President Zardari. The military will no doubt have a say in appointing Mr. Haqqani's successor.
That this controversy has erupted around the same time as the rise of the former cricketing hero, Imran Khan, in Pakistan's political firmament may be no more than a coincidence. It is believed that one reason why the Pakistan Army has not acted against the Pakistan People's Party government despite its extremely frayed relations with President Zardari is that this would mean putting its institutional weight behind Nawaz Sharif, whom it distrusts even more (the feeling being mutual). Although it is premature to talk of an Army-backed caretaker government under Mr. Imran Khan, at the very least the cricket superstar is now counted among the available alternatives. Throw into this Admiral Mullen's confirmation of receipt of the controversial memo, thus compromising the PPP government, and one can see that ‘Memogate' is much more than the sum of its parts. None of this is good news for democracy in Pakistan.
Keywords: Memogate, Pakistan political developments, war on terror, Pakistan Army, Hussain Haqqani, Mike Mullen, Pakistan -U.S. relations
Pakistan's milatary always itching for power and it is only matter of time when the generals move and take control as their history from 1947 clearly shows the paiiern.they should be aware usa presently has no tolerance for terrorists being hidden in their country.
You have hit the nail at the right spot. None of the Pakistani media has brought this point to the fore and debated as to why Zardari and Haqqani felt threatened of a military coup when the morale and standing of the military was at the lowest after the Abbotabad debacle.
Somehow in all this mayhem of Pakistan politics I am tempted to think of the impact the recent Arab Spring has in the minds of Pakistani people vis-a-vis the possibility of military rule or a military backed establishment. Should Imran Khan does choose to be the surrogate of the military it would be akin to cut the goose that lays the golden eggs even before it lays an egg.
Every thing seems to be meticulously and carefully planned. No one will dare to go public with such details and confidentially memo until or unless some big shot assures his safety . The way US-Pak Business man has been giving interview to all news channel , give dark impression about his intentions .Seems to be more a pawn move by some elite player in background which i am sure is known by intelligence circles . Such revelation are bound to effect relation of army and govt and also give excuse for army to push their demand or say in certain govt matter ..
Immediate effect will be recalling ambassador from US which as write told will bring smile to Army's face.
Excellent editorial. Round one may have been won by the Army,but this will be short-lived! The Egyptian Army too wants to wrest control of the Government,but people power forces them to bide time. Turkey has shown that the Military belongs to the barracks and a tough civilian Government, backed by the people, can force this. Imran's sudden rise is cleverly orchestrated and has found immediate support from Musharraf, which must tell us that Imran is the front man for the Military. Sad state of affairs in Pakistan that does not bode well for its neighbours!
It is quite unfortunate that of late Pakistan has been lurching from one crisis to thus hampering whatever little progress it has made towards establishing a functioning democracy in the country. A vibrant and democratic Pakistan is not only in the interest of its own people but also critically important for the stability of Asian region. If Pakistan slides further, there is danger of terror groups reclaiming their foothold in the country which will be detrimental to India. In this regard, India should keep a close eye on the developments in Pakistan and whenever possible do its bit to empower democratic institutions in the country.
It appears that true democracy never runs smooth in Pakistan. A sort of militarism and volatility semm to be running in the veins of the Pakistanis. So it is not a surprise if 'memogate' or its like crops up in the country as 'spectrumgate' and the like do in India, which is officially susceptible to corruption
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari appears to have leant a lesson from 1988 lesson from General Ziaul Haq trampling over the civilian leadership of Prime Minster Junejo.He had every reason believe that Army will move against him post Bin Laden killing. A month earlier the PM went against the Zia advice and not only signed Geneva peace accord with Afghan government defying the military dictate but did the unthinkable act of rallying political leadership behind this decision. Lesson is for the parliament and political better play >second fiddle or else meet the same fate as Junejo. Only difference now is Army is bit more sophisticated . In order to fool the international community, it is trying to set Imran Khan as its proxy. These too clever Machiavellian machinations are bound to make the country even more unstable leaving Imran Khan with problems which he cannot possibly handle.
A very good editorial indeed. I for one feel that ultimately it will be the Pakistani army that will dictate the future of Pakistan. Gen Ashfaq Kayani is extremely astute and is biding his time to step in, once he is sure of support from the people. I cannot surmise what Imran Khan's role is going to be in the new set up, the main point being is he willing to be the principal political figure in Islamabad with the army's backing? Will the army continue to back Imran should he start doing something in order to induct full fledged democracy in Pakistan? Most of all, what do the citizens want?
I am sure MEMOGATE is a pleasant news to indians as some hope to improve the ties with Pakistan , if the message is correct . Military top brass will any way not allow such interference from US. To add IT IS GEN Mushraff regime which gave every thing to US and gainned maximum.Expecting to act against the most favourable friend (pak army ) by U S is debatable in strategic point of view.
Prejudiced and pedantic article .
This is an astute analysis of the situation. The problem is at the end of the day the Pakistani military is the agency through which the US exercises suzerainty over Pakistan. And this is a very profitable relationship for the military as it certainly keeps the corrupt core commanders of the Pakistani military in power and pelf. But the tide of history is against this accursed military.
In Pakistan, the military always seems to win. As far as India is concerned, its hopes for a peace with its troublesome neigbour have most likely been dashed by this latest episode.
It is indeed interesting to see Imran Khan appear as a surrogate for the Pakistani army. It is now reasonable to expect that Imran will emerge as the one who provides civilian cover to terrorism emanating from Pakistan. There are many notable people in India who supported Imran Khan and even contributed money to his causes. Do they feel they have a responsibility in the emergence an a pro-army and anti-Indian leader in Pakistan?
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