Army-The ever present dictator in Pakistan

Since 14th August,1947 when Pakistan came into being, its army has played a very vital and critical role in the working of the government. This is quite unfortunate as this country was established on Islamic Ideology which clearly favors democratic form of government. After the death of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on September 11, 1948, the democratic government started to become weak and army started playing an active role in the functioning of the government.

Pakistan had to wait until 1958 when the then Chief of Army Staff General Ayub Khan disposed off the democratic government and imposed Marshall Law. Three Marshall Laws were to follow in the next 40 odd years imposed by Yahya Khan, Zia-ul-Haq and Pervez Musharraf respectively.

Even during the era of democratic governments like that of Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif and Pml-q, army has played its part in developing foreign policy of the country, taking important decisions and taking steps on its own. The so called establishment has even made its own democratic leaders in order to provide stiff competition to anti-establishment forces. Nawaz Sharif who raises voices against army and pervez Musharraf now was made by the establishment to fight against the ever growing popularity of Benazir Bhutto. Similarly Pml-q was established by Pervez Musharraf.

The fact is that no matter form of government exists in Pakistan, army will continue to play its role in the working and functioning of the government. This is quite unfortunate but our political leaders are to be accused for this. Leaders like Nawaz Sharif asked army for help and Pakistan paid for it. This practice has to be stopped and a perfect democratic system has to be established in Pakistan if Pakistan wants to progress and develop.