Benazir Bhutto realised that (as did her father in 1972). Pakistan’s civil society may be against the army’s political and administrative interference and demand constitutional changes and refinement of higher defence control organisation, but no one would want to see harm done to this national institution; not even Pakistan’s respected human rights activist, Asma Jehangir, who broke down after Bhutto’s assassination and said some harsh things about the army’s role.

Ask any analyst of the political or strategic situation in Pakistan — other than George Bush — and he will tell you that the person responsible for creating this messy political situation and hurting the image of Pakistan army is the one who commanded it for the last nine years. A few weeks ago, General Musharraf retired from the army and handed over the baton and command to his chosen friend and subordinate, General Ashfaq Kiyani. It is the latter who has to shoulder the responsibility of making the army credible and operationally effective and obtain support from the people of Pakistan.

Ashfaq Kiyani is known to be a serious, professionally sound officer. His first statement on counter terrorism calling for the use of minimum force in the FATA and the realisation that it was primarily a political problem was impressive. There was a whiff of fresh air and suggestion of change from past practices.

How will Ashfaq Kiyani react to the emerging political situation in Pakistan? Can he come out of Musharraf’s yoke and shadow to restore public confidence in the army and within the army? A possibility that cannot be ruled out is that with the support of some Corps Commanders and political leaders, he may persuade/force Pervez Musharraf to resign and thus stop being a burden on the army and cause further chaos in the country. Such a step will enable him (and the Pakistan army) to start with a clean slate. Is he capable of doing that? Let us wait and watch.

... contd.