White heat of tension

While heat of tension and anxiety permeated through the country in general and Islamabad in particular on Wednesday, the recent snow on the Maragallas shone brightly in the afternoon sun as residents shivered in sub-zero temperatures. A palpable feeling that something serious, possibly a sacking of the army chief of staff and in retaliation a coup d'etat against the Zardari-Gilani government, was in the offing prevailed in the wake of the terse statement issued by the ISPR and the government's sacking of Secretary Defence Lieutenant General Naeem Khalid Lodhi (Retd). That the Triple-1 Brigade, the army unit stationed in the vicinity of the Capital and known for its role in military take-overs, had its commander replaced during those very hours, added to the tension. And then there was this welter of rumours that overwhelmed the electronic media. But as the evening deepened and Prime Minister Gilani felt the white heat, he came out with his take on the rapidly evolving situation, which helped defuse tension - but only insignificantly. He did concede making a statement to the China Daily Online correspondent, rejecting the constitutionality and legality of replies Army Chief General Kayani and ISI boss Lieutenant General Pasha had submitted to the Supreme Court in the Memogate scandal hearing. But the caveats that laced his version are too overriding and inflexible that not much of an agreed position between the government and the military should be expected. No less significantly, the Federal Cabinet too vowed on Wednesday to stand by President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani in their fight against other institutions. How well that comradeship will deliver when the National Assembly meets on Friday - on Thursday, it is expected to adjourn after offering condolences over the deaths of Pir Pagara and PPP member Azam Daultana - we will watch and wait. The PPP's coalition partners say they have their own independent positions on the ongoing imbroglio and may vote differently if asked to do so. The blow hot and cold statements of Prime Minister Gilani are not something new to the people of Pakistan, except for the fact that he now clearly appears to be playing someone else's tune. But what is really surprising is the terseness of the Army statement, which is unlike its usual and takes on the government head-on. A part of that statement bears repetition: "There can be no allegation more serious than what the honourable prime minister has levelled against the CoAS and the DG ISI and has unfortunately charged the officers with violation of the constitution of the country. This has very serious ramifications with potentially grievous consequences for the country." The Army Chief stated facts about the Memogate scandal as known to him to the apex court and that "Any expectation that the CoAS will not state the facts is neither constitutional nor legal," the statement added. That the army is planning to overthrow the government is an impression that is absolutely misplaced. Read through the ISPR statement; it is an argument which begs to be replied with equally cogent logic. On the other hand, Prime Minister Gilani's U-turns if not inept and unworthy of his status as Chief Executive, profoundly reek of malice. What a shame, when the country is beset with existential threats and challenges the government appears to be actively engaged in eroding the morale of the forces. Only a few hours before the institutional clash acquired the endgame ambience, insurgents near Turbat, Balochistan launched a lethal attack on an FC convoy killing 14 and wounding many more. That the army leaders' replies to the Supreme Court in the Memogate case were not sent through 'proper channel' is more a failing on the part of its Law and Defence ministries than the GHQ. Democracy is pluralism, give and take for greater good of the largest number of people. There is the urgent need to step back from the precipice, for which the Zardari-Gilani duo has to take the lead, essentially by defusing tensions with other institutions. The alternative is grossly unpalatable and presently avoidable - the ball is in the government's court. Copyright Business Recorder, 2012