The government’s stated justification for invoking Article 245 and calling up the military to assist with security in Islamabad for three months is to prevent any retaliatory militant attacks. But there are reasons to be sceptical. One cannot just chalk up to coincidence the fact that this action has been taken at a time when Imran Khan is ready to descend on the capital for his Long March and Tahirul Qadri is threatening to bring down the government. While one is not privy to the intelligence the government may possess about imminent threats and there is certainly every reason to fear that the militants may strike at any point, surely the rest of the country is as susceptible to attacks. Yet the government has not felt the need to call in the army in Karachi or Lahore. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was quick to point out that Islamabad isn’t being handed over to the military and that troops will merely be assisting existing law-enforcement agencies. Even if that is the case, this action is an admission on the part of the government that civilian agencies are not up to the task of protecting us. Surely the government should be spending more on recruitment and training rather than relying on the military.
Article 245 is a constitutional clause better left unused since it has truly frightening implications for democracy. The clause prevents high courts from exercising jurisdiction over any area in which the military is aiding the government. In theory the military could be used to use force against the PTI and its protesters under the cover of security and be shielded from facing any consequences for their actions. The PML-N needs to immediately vow not to do any such thing. After the killing of Pakistan Awami Tehreek workers by Lahore police in Model Town, the government should proceed with extreme care and wisdom. Having the armed forces patrolling streets is always an unwelcome sight and, as has been shown by the involvement of the army in the Karachi operations of the 1990s, it has the prospect of causing more damage than it prevents. The three-month deployment of the military in Islamabad seems excessive. Any benefits stemming from the decision may be outweighed by the likely problems it will cause.
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Pakistan: Capital goes to the army?
The government’s stated justification for invoking Article 245 and calling up the military to assist with security in Islamabad for three months is to prevent any retaliatory militant attacks. But there are reasons to be sceptical. One cannot just chalk up to coincidence the fact that this action has been taken at a time when Imran Khan is ready to descend on the capital for his Long March and Tahirul Qadri is threatening to bring down the government. While one is not privy to the intelligence the government may possess about imminent threats and there is certainly every reason to fear that the militants may strike at any point, surely the rest of the country is as susceptible to attacks. Yet the government has not felt the need to call in the army in Karachi or Lahore. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was quick to point out that Islamabad isn’t being handed over to the military and that troops will merely be assisting existing law-enforcement agencies. Even if that is the case, this action is an admission on the part of the government that civilian agencies are not up to the task of protecting us. Surely the government should be spending more on recruitment and training rather than relying on the military.
Article 245 is a constitutional clause better left unused since it has truly frightening implications for democracy. The clause prevents high courts from exercising jurisdiction over any area in which the military is aiding the government. In theory the military could be used to use force against the PTI and its protesters under the cover of security and be shielded from facing any consequences for their actions. The PML-N needs to immediately vow not to do any such thing. After the killing of Pakistan Awami Tehreek workers by Lahore police in Model Town, the government should proceed with extreme care and wisdom. Having the armed forces patrolling streets is always an unwelcome sight and, as has been shown by the involvement of the army in the Karachi operations of the 1990s, it has the prospect of causing more damage than it prevents. The three-month deployment of the military in Islamabad seems excessive. Any benefits stemming from the decision may be outweighed by the likely problems it will cause.
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