Growing Fissures in Pakistan Army

July 8, 2023 1:27 pm

On June 26, Major General Ahmed Sharif, the Director General (DG) of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), announced during a press conference that three Pakistan army officers, including a lieutenant general, had been court-martialled as part of the military’s “self- accountability process” regarding the events of May 9.[1] Though he did not reveal the names of senior military officers facing court martial and other proceedings, there are speculations on names of Lahore’s former Corps Commander Lt Gen (retd) Salman Ghani, former DG ISI Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid and Lt Gen Muhammad Aamer, Corps Commander Gujranwala 30 Corps. Maj- Gen Sharif further stated that 17 standing military courts were currently operational in the country, conducting trials for at least 102 individuals involved in the violence allegedly orchestrated by Imran Khan’s supporters, and emphasised that this process would continue.[2] [3]

These revelations substantiate reports of an internal mutiny within Pakistan’s powerful military establishment after the events of May 9. Maj-Gen Sharif claimed, “The events of May 9 have demonstrated that a group of miscreants and their facilitators achieved what our enemies could not accomplish in 76 years.”[4] [5]

While the military establishment is taking measures to address its internal issues through these court-martials, there are speculations that Pakistan’s army chief, General Syed Asim Munir, is capitalising on this opportunity to consolidate power by appointing trusted officers to significant positions and removing potentially loose cannons. Although court-martials have occurred throughout Pakistan’s 76-year existence, the recent large-scale dismissals raise concerns and cast doubt on the possibility of an attempted “coup” against the serving army chief.[6] To avoid similar events in the future, the army leadership is setting an example by punishing military officers and civilians allegedly involved in the May 9 violence. Maj-Gen Sharif averred that in his statement, “It is most important to expose the planner and facilitators of these events and bring them to justice if the nation wants to move on from May 9,” adding that otherwise “any other political party will repeat these actions”.[7]

For the military establishment to maintain control in Pakistan, it cannot tolerate civilian supremacy. The unprecedented breach of the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, which is the primary power center in Pakistan, by Imran Khan supporters on May 9 inflicted severe humiliation upon the army leadership, particularly Gen Munir.[8] This event was interpreted as a message from the Pakistani people to the military establishment, telling them to return to their barracks and allow civilians to govern the country. Consequently, the military is taking strong actions against the individuals responsible for the violence on May 9 to assert its authority.

During the Formation Commanders’ Conference on June 7, Gen Munir emphasised that the noose of law would be tightened around “the planners and masterminds who orchestrated the politically motivated and hate-filled rebellion” against state institutions, aiming to create chaos in the country.[9] This served as a clear warning to Imran Khan and his party members. Additionally, Gen Munir indirectly targeted the country’s judiciary, stating that “endeavours by any quarter to create obstructions and stymie the conclusive defeat of ill design of inimical forces will be dealt with iron hands.”[10] Tensions have arisen between the higher judiciary and the army concerning the Imran Khan issue. The Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial and few other Supreme Court judges have been accused of favouring Khan.[11]

Top judges and civil society organisations have raised serious concerns about the trial of civilians in military courts under Pakistan’s infamous Army Act, 1952.[12] During a speech to officers in Lahore Garrison on May 20, Gen Munir announced that the “legal process of trial against planners, instigators, abettors and perpetrators involved in 9 May tragedy has commenced under Pakistan Army Act and Official Secret Act.” Pakistan’s Law and Justice Minister, Azam Nazeer Tarar, has defended the government’s decision to use anti-terrorism laws and military courts to try some civilians involved in the protests.[13] However, Human Rights Watch expressed concerns about the trial of civilians in military courts and stated in a press release, “Pakistan’s military courts, which employ secretive procedures that deny individuals their due process rights, should not be utilised to prosecute civilians, even for offenses against the military.”[14]

Interestingly, during a recent hearing on the issue, Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Bandial, leading a six-member bench, remarked, “I expect that no military trial of civilians will be conducted while proceedings are ongoing.”[15] Nevertheless, following the press conference by the DG ISPR on June 26, the Supreme Court bench has decided to “adjourn” the hearing of petitions challenging the trials of civilians in military courts until further notice.[16] This suggests that the top judiciary might also succumb to pressure from the military establishment and allow the trial of certain individuals in military courts.[17] It will further help Pakistan military to tighten its grip and weaken civilian institutions in the country.[18] However, the Imran Khan episode has brought out fundamental faultlines between the army, the judiciary, and the civilian leadership. These three institutions will remain the main reason of future instabilities in Pakistan.