Generals Face Harsh Criticism As NA Passes Defence Budget

[OrionHunter]

What's this PA bashing all about? It seems the Pakistani politicians have suddenly started a tirade against the Defence Forces for political mileage. What were they doing all these years? They seem to have sensed an opportunity now and striking while the iron is hot!

ISLAMABAD: The opposition PML-N raised on Saturday sharp questions about the performance of Pakistan’s military in recent years, with one senior lawmaker calling it confidence-shaking, before the National Assembly approved the defence budget of over Rs505 billion.

It was during debates on more than 200 opposition cut motions on demands for grants that the military role came under what was probably the severest criticism during a budget discussion in the country’s parliamentary history.

“Pakistan’s defence failures for some years have shaken the people of Pakistan,” Sardar Mehtab said as he accused the General Headquarters of imposing its will on domestic and foreign policy issues. “In the past few years, particularly in the past one year, people’s confidence has been badly affected,” he added.

I wonder how many Pakistanis have really lost confidence in their armed forces? Probably just a minuscule number, but don't you think the politicians are up to their old tricks of finding scape goats for political brownie points?

He regretted that despite prevailing poverty in the country, the generals were said to be “owning 25 to 50 crore rupees” at retirement and demanded that salaries and perks should be not more than those of their counterparts in neighbouring India.

Rs 25 to 50 crores as retirement benefits for a General? I think this is load of crap! Is it true? But yes, probably more transparency of the defence budget, would strengthen rather than weaken the defence services.

More on the budget here....

Generals face harsh criticism as NA passes defence budget | Newspaper | DAWN.COM

 

[Mav3rick]

What's this PA bashing all about? It seems the Pakistani politicians have suddenly started a tirade against the Defence Forces for political mileage. What were they doing all these years? They seem to have sensed an opportunity now and striking while the iron is hot!

After Kargil when the PA was forced to pull back by the then Prime Minister (Nawaz Sharif - Leader of PML-N) who could not sustain international pressure the Army was very unhappy with NS, Musharraf especially was quite critical of NS because all that effort had gone to waste just because NS collapsed under international political pressure. NS was subsequently ousted after a few months and most of his party leaders faced some harsh time under Musharraf and the breakaway faction (now known as PML-Q). NS, his family and quite a few members of his party were exiled from Pakistan for almost 10 years but that too was at the intervention of Saudi Arabia else Musharraf would have hanged NS for treason. Given all that, the stance of NS and PML-N in general is not surprising at all.

I wonder how many Pakistanis have really lost confidence in their armed forces? Probably just a minuscule number, but don't you think the politicians are up to their old tricks of finding scape goats for political brownie points?

We haven't really lost any confidence in the Army, most of us are simply fed up with their continued silence and inaction over US meddling in the country......military and political. Some of us believe that the current Generals are not really up to the mark and should be replaced. I personally can't wait for Kiyani to retire!

Rs 25 to 50 crores as retirement benefits for a General? I think this is load of crap! Is it true? But yes, probably more transparency of the defence budget, would strengthen rather than weaken the defence services.

More on the budget here....

Generals face harsh criticism as NA passes defence budget | Newspaper | DAWN.COM

I'm not sure about the figure of 25-50 crore but it must be close to the truth, these Generals are making a lot of money that they do not deserve. Then again our politicians, judiciary, media, bureaucrats etc, all are making a lot of money that they don't deserve.

 

[OrionHunter]

Then again our politicians, judiciary, media, bureaucrats etc, all are making a lot of money that they don't deserve.

I for a moment thought you were meaning India!!! Damn! I think it's a South Asian thing! Corruption and non governance are the hallmarks of most governments in this wretched geographical area! It sucks, and how!!

 

[Cheetah786]

owning 25 to 50 crore rupees” at retirement

25 to 50 crore is the Money they already accumulated before retirement this does not include what they get as pesnion or other perks when they retire plus Most of these Generals don't retire they draw a pension and simply Move on to crown corporations and draw a pay cheq from there 2.

 

[iPhone]

Army will always have the respect of the people, even polticians criticism is careful and only geared toward the top brass and rightfully so.

The army, or its top brass, needs to learn their lesson, they're not the absolute and the highest authority in the country. They're answerable to the civil leader and the parliament, both elected by the people of the country.

Unfortunately, even now the message isn't clear and they try to behave like the end all be all authority. What's this nonsense of john Kerry coming to the country and rushing to see Kiyani first.

He has no right to go there, Kiyani had no right whatsoever to see Kerry. Army has to be brought under civil administration the easy or the hard way. Too, many unconstitutional marshal laws have been enforced by them.

Slowly but surely these army generals will be saluting and fearing their civilian leaders. Next govt would be less fearful of them and the one after.........

Good job by PML-N to question the defence budget, its their right.

 

[Mav3rick]

I for a moment thought you were meaning India!!! Damn! I think it's a South Asian thing! Corruption and non governance are the hallmarks of most governments in this wretched geographical area! It sucks, and how!!

The lack of accountability in Pakistan is .......... well I guess there is no real word for it in English or any other language for that matter. You implement accountability and justice.....you get a responsible united nation! Quite simple to say but a nightmare to implement!

 

[Mav3rick]

Army will always have the respect of the people, even polticians criticism is careful and only geared toward the top brass and rightfully so.

The army, or its top brass, needs to learn their lesson, they're not the absolute and the highest authority in the country. They're answerable to the civil leader and the parliament, both elected by the people of the country.

Unfortunately, even now the message isn't clear and they try to behave like the end all be all authority. What's this nonsense of john Kerry coming to the country and rushing to see Kiyani first.

He has no right to go there, Kiyani had no right whatsoever to see Kerry. Army has to be brought under civil administration the easy or the hard way. Too, many unconstitutional marshal laws have been enforced by them.

Slowly but surely these army generals will be saluting and fearing their civilian leaders. Next govt would be less fearful of them and the one after.........

Good job by PML-N to question the defence budget, its their right.

Do you believe that you could have achieved Nuclear technology, missile technology etc. by disclosing military budgets? There is a secret budget that is always classified, never revealed to anybody, even the prime minister/president and some ministries have it. There's a huge difference b/w transparency and accountability, there can be no transparency in certain matters related to national security but accountability is a must within each department.

 

[iPhone]

but accountability is a must within each department.

You answered your own question. Fine they have their secret defence budget but it still should one that is in full knowledge of the prime minister. This is the way of true democratic societies.

Right niw our generals don't respect the PM, they hold meetings with foreign political reps without having the right to do so, without consulting with the PM first. They form their own foreign policies, to bell with civilian admin. No wonder they are in this mess, and as a result the entire nation. Americans love to deal with countries where there is only a single authority to deal with and despite all this current unrest, Kiyani is still bent on being that single authority.

 

[somebozo]

Zardari & company along with baighairat brigade are on secret payrolls..they are expected to behave like this.

 

[gOtHmOG]

25 to 50 crore is the Money they already accumulated before retirement this does not include what they get as pesnion or other perks when they retire plus Most of these Generals don't retire they draw a pension and simply Move on to crown corporations and draw a pay cheq from there 2.

Where did you get that info? Probably from some Urdu newspaper. Don't just pull out figures right out of the air

 

[Cheetah786]

Where did you get that info? Probably from some Urdu newspaper. Don't just pull out figures right out of the air

Where did i get what info?

Wow it doesn't surprise me that some even now pretend to be blind


Fauji Foundation, the corporate face of the serving and retired generals watching and serving their collective financial interests,

The Fauji Foundation is currently running the Fauji-Jordan Fertilizer Company, the Fauji Fertilizer Company, the Fauji Cereals, the Fauji Corn Complex, the Fauji Polypropylene Products, the Foundation Gas, the Fauji Oil Terminal and the Distribution Company Limited, the Mari Gas Company Limited and the Fauji Kabirwala Power Company Limited.

The Pakistan Army-run Army Welfare Trust (AWT), separately, runs an empire of business projects that also includes banks, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical and cement plants.

 

[TopCat]

25-50 crore??? wow its a lot. how about other government high officials like secretary/judges/Engineers/Doctors? do they get that kind of money by the age of 50s?

 

[pak-marine]

;1867649]What's this PA bashing all about? It seems the Pakistani politicians have suddenly started a tirade against the Defence Forces for political mileage. What were they doing all these years? They seem to have sensed an opportunity now and striking while the iron is hot!

exactly oppoutunists they saw a chance now taking advantage , same maggots are a direct produce of dictator ship! " not that i disagree with them , my question is why all these bigots kept quiet over the last decades ... these are fuedals they are equally bad or infact worst than dictators as their rule is hostile to millions of Pakistanis in rural areas.

 

[Cheetah786]

exactly opportunists they saw a chance now taking advantage , same maggots are a direct produce of dictator ship! " not that i disagree with them , my question is why all these bigots kept quiet over the last decades ... these are fuedals they are equally bad or infact worst than dictators as their rule is hostile to millions of Pakistanis in rural areas.

But the good news is there inner fighting is bringing out all the dirt and in the long run that good for Pakistan.

 

[gOtHmOG]

Where did i get what info?

Wow it doesn't surprise me that some even now pretend to be blind


Fauji Foundation, the corporate face of the serving and retired generals watching and serving their collective financial interests,

The Fauji Foundation is currently running the Fauji-Jordan Fertilizer Company, the Fauji Fertilizer Company, the Fauji Cereals, the Fauji Corn Complex, the Fauji Polypropylene Products, the Foundation Gas, the Fauji Oil Terminal and the Distribution Company Limited, the Mari Gas Company Limited and the Fauji Kabirwala Power Company Limited.

The Pakistan Army-run Army Welfare Trust (AWT), separately, runs an empire of business projects that also includes banks, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical and cement plants.

What you're saying is that each retired army officer gets 25 crore on retirement? My father is retired, he didn't get 25 crore