Generals

[fatman17]

Generals

Dr Farrukh Saleem

Sunday, November 11, 2012





What do the generals want? The Pakistan Army, like all other institutions, is a pyramid. But the Pakistan Army, unlike any other Pakistani institution, is the only Pakistani institution where soldiers rise from within to become commanding generals purely on the basis of merit. This military pyramid rests on two pillars: respect for the chain of command and the confidence of Pakistanis in their armed forces.



As of right now, Pakistan Army’s two serving generals, 22 serving lieutenant generals, 150 serving major generals for a total of 620,000 Pakistani soldiers are in a state of war. This is the longest – and the bloodiest – war that the Pakistan Army has ever fought. This war has multiple fronts – Tirah Valley, Shawal Valley, Wana, Miranshah, Mir Ali, Swat, Sararogha, Bajaur, Orakzai, Khyber and Kurram. This is a war where the distinction between a combatant and a non-combatant is blurring. This is a war where the distinction between a soldier and a civilian is blurring – even the distinction between war and politics is blurring. This war truly has all the characteristics of a 4G war.



Then there’s India with its ‘cold start military doctrine’. Then there’s the Indian army with its ‘Order of battle’, whereby at least half of all Indian army corps are stationed within a striking distance from the Pakistan-India border. The Indian army’s XV Corps with two infantry divisions in Srinagar, XIV Corps in Leh, XVI Corps with three infantry divisions, an artillery brigade and an armoured brigade in Nagrota, X Corps in Bhatinda, XI Corps in Jalandhar, IX Corps in Yol and II Corps in Ambala.



Remember, generals around the world respond to ‘capacity’ not ‘intent’. Pakistani generals look at the Indian Army and see its inventory of 6,384 tanks as a threat (since none of those Arjun MBTs can cross the Himalayas into China, they must all be for Pakistan).


Pakistani generals look at the Indian Air Force and see its inventory of 672 combat aircraft as a threat. Pakistani generals look at the Indian Army and find that XV, IX, XVI, XIV, XI, X and II Corps all pointing their guns at Pakistan. The Pakistani generals look at India’s 4th Armoured Division, 12th Infantry Division, 340th Mechanised Brigade and the 4th Armoured Brigade deployed to cut Pakistan into two halves.



As of right now, the Pakistan Army is fighting a deadly 4G war within and must, at the same time, stand prepared to defend Pakistan from the 3G threat from the east. In essence, the Pakistan Army is fighting at three different levels – physical, mental and moral. To be certain, the Pakistan Army cannot win on the physical battlefield unless it also wins the mental combat, the ‘will to fight’ and the ‘belief in victory’.



So, what do the serving generals want? The same thing that any serving general in a state of war would want – support from all other pillars of the state. So, what do the Pakistani generals need to guarantee the longevity of the Pakistani state? The same thing that any serving general in a state of war needs – esprit de corps, sense of unity, commonality of interests plus chain of command and the confidence of the public on the military.



As of right now, one retired general, five retired lieutenant generals and two retired major generals are on trial – both in the courts of the law and the media. What do the retired generals want? They don’t want to be convicted – either by the courts or by the media. Well, there shouldn’t even be any debate on this count – anyone who breaks the law must be held responsible and punished.






The writer is a columnist based in Islamabad. Email:

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

I think once we close down US embassy , the war would be over as there would be no funding for Terrorist inside Pakistan money is coming in thru US embassy and distributed to local factions who do not agree with GOP or Pakistan Military

 

[hotaki]

I think once we close down US embassy , the war would be over as there would be no funding for Terrorist inside Pakistan money is coming in thru US embassy and distributed to local factions who do not agree with GOP or Pakistan Military

Very true closing or reducing the size of us embassy will help the situation.

Pakistan needs to establish a public enquiry starting from 1947, start with killing of liaqual Ali khan, punish those who are Alive and took part with ayyub in marshal law. Bring those to justice who helped zia bring in marshal law and musharrif, hang these people in public.

investigate all civilians and civil department who were part of corruption.

I hope they hang these bastardz generals, the army needs to realise that its the most hated institution now, its not worth the money we spend on it.

People have lost respect for army and if they were ever to try their hand at Marshall law they will be beaten back to barracks, they are getting slaughtered by the their own public who are fed up of the system, people hsvr more respect for taliban then the army atleast they fight their enemies while the army panics and cowers as America is carrying it a deep raid in to the country.

 

[Leader]

purely on the basis of merit

group merit, not individual merit... plus there are other "merits" that do count if you want to rise in the hierarchy.

 

[niaz]

I think once we close down US embassy , the war would be over as there would be no funding for Terrorist inside Pakistan money is coming in thru US embassy and distributed to local factions who do not agree with GOP or Pakistan Military

Firstly, I fail to see the underlying objective of this article. Does Dr Farrukh Saleem desire us to reduce the number of generals in the Army? Political ambitions do not stop with generals. Egypt had a large army but it was Col. Nasser who took over. Libya was also taken over by Col Qaddafi when he was only 27 years old. This is not limited to less developed countries; in 1967 a bunch of Colonels threw out the Greek King Constantine II and took over the government of Greece.This military Junta ruled Greece until 1974.

Secondly, with all due respect I fail to see how closing down US embassy will really help in reducing terrorism in Pakistan? Won’t the US also close down Pak Embassies and Consulates in the US mainland in retaliation? Embassy staff in the ‘eyes & ears’ of the country;do we really want to ignore whatever is happening in the most powerful country of the world?

Remember even at the height of cold war, both the US as well as USSR had active embassies in each other’s cities. If looking at the US citizens pains some of the Pakistanis too much, we can ask for a reduction the Diplomatic Staff which is also a two way street. Subsequently if takes one year to get the US visa, Pakistanis should not complain. There are some 5,000 or so Pakistanis studying in the US, with no Consulates, who will take care of their needs?

Even if you close down US embassy, what stops CIA funding terrorists from Afghanistan, India or Dubai? The world has turned into a global village but we prefer to live in isolation! In my humble opinion closing of embassies is always counterproductive.

 

[fatman17]

Firstly, I fail to see the underlying objective of this article. Does Dr Farrukh Saleem desire us to reduce the number of generals in the Army? Political ambitions do not stop with generals. Egypt had a large army but it was Col. Nasser who took over. Libya was also taken over by Col Qaddafi when he was only 27 years old. This is not limited to less developed countries; in 1967 a bunch of Colonels threw out the Greek King Constantine II and took over the government of Greece.This military Junta ruled Greece until 1974.

Secondly, with all due respect I fail to see how closing down US embassy will really help in reducing terrorism in Pakistan? Won’t the US also close down Pak Embassies and Consulates in the US mainland in retaliation? Embassy staff in the ‘eyes & ears’ of the country;do we really want to ignore whatever is happening in the most powerful country of the world?

Remember even at the height of cold war, both the US as well as USSR had active embassies in each other’s cities. If looking at the US citizens pains some of the Pakistanis too much, we can ask for a reduction the Diplomatic Staff which is also a two way street. Subsequently if takes one year to get the US visa, Pakistanis should not complain. There are some 5,000 or so Pakistanis studying in the US, with no Consulates, who will take care of their needs?

Even if you close down US embassy, what stops CIA funding terrorists from Afghanistan, India or Dubai? The world has turned into a global village but we prefer to live in isolation! In my humble opinion closing of embassies is always counterproductive.

i dont think so - the last 2 para's basically spells out his thinking.

serving generals need support of the nation during war and peace time...
retired generals are not above the law....

thats it IMHO.

 

[Sinnerman108]

i dont think so - the last 2 para's basically spells out his thinking.

serving generals need support of the nation during war and peace time...
retired generals are not above the law....

thats it IMHO.

The generals represent the institution.

Maligning the institution (via old cases) will make the task of gathering public sentiment very difficult.

Especially when you are aware that our politicians who are primarlity responsible for public sentiment have in past and will in future fail to deliver.

No one has gone too far, when one's tail is stuck.

the legs are for running, tail is for wagging. All departments (organs) should do what they have to.

 

[fatman17]

generals form 0.00028% of the army. thats it. 99.99% of the army remains 'disciplined and professional'.

 

[Fieldmarshal]

generals form 0.00028% of the army. thats it. 99.99% of the army remains 'disciplined and professional'.

generals also come through the ranks, its not like one day they are civilians and the next they are generals. it takes an officer around 25 years of grueling service in all sort of conditions in war and peace to make it to the rank of a general officer. All officers who make it too general rank have had a distinguished careers and are brilliant officers, almost all of them top of their class always. it is a huge thing becoming a general officers as the competition is very very fierce.
and furthermore this is not the iraqi army where sadam declared him self a general with out serving in the army for even a day !!
this is the Pakistan army.

and if u want to bring anyone to task for all the martial laws than you try and punish all the damn politicians, who create the environment for the army to step in. for example
- before the Ayub khan martial law the political situation had deteriorated to such an extent that during a session of national assembly/legislative assembly a member shot dead the speaker.
-bhutto had rigged the elections and the country was rocking under under the p.n.a movement to the extent that the day to day workings of the govt. had come to a grinding halt.
- due to the stupidity and incompetence of gangas they left the army with no other option but to enforce martial law. even more so this time the army chief was outside the country and in the air while it all happened.
-to top it all the so called 'greatest politician" bhutto him self had declared civil martial law and him self as chief martial law administrator.
during ayub khans tanure we were leaders in asia, with record development and industrialization, we were the envy of the world so much so that countires like south korea, took out 5th five year plan and implemented it lock stock and barrel (we know what happened to south korea). than bhutto came u f@#ked ut all up.
From 1947 till 1987 when election where held after the death of zia ul haq the countries external debt stood at 15/16 billion dollars ie in 40 years we had accumulated just 15 billion dollars of foreign debt. but in the 10-12 years of sham democracy of marry go around of ganga-banazir we doubled our debt to 36 billion dollars and at the same time squeezed the country dry through loot and plunder. Zia had left a healthy economy with avg. growth rate of 6%. but by the time musharaf came to power in around 10 years time our growth rate had hit rock bottom and our foreign reserves empty basically the eco was in dire straights.
musharaf regime again rescued the economy and we even crossing 8% growth rate, our balance of payment was good and our external reserve at record high. but than "free and fair " elections happened and ppp came to power again and in less than 5 years they doubled our external debt. so basically we had accumulated 30 some billion dollars in 60 years and these thief's and looters took it to 67 billion dollars !!!!!

but the most astonishing thing is that all our political leaders began their political careers under the tutelage of the army, be it bhutto who called ayub "dadi" and was the sectrary of his awami muslim league, or the gangas who need to thank gen. jillani for every thing they have (as even today people remember "sharif ka toka" and their father use to sell tokas that he made in his bhati), or the mqm who came to power riding on apc and to this day party structure reflects their beginning or the mullahs who are what they are because of the army.
but the worst bit is that these same politicians come to power again and again and they do the same thing again and again ie loot and plunder the country dry. but our people elect them again and again.

so if democracy means that the politicians spend all their energies in looting and plundering, while the country slips into termoil than i dont want any democracy.
our biggest problem is that all the military men who assume power try to be democrats while all our politicians who assume power become dictators (as can be seen that almost all our main stream parties have no democracy within them and the leaders behave like dictators). wt we need is accountability of the toughest kind otherwise we are history.

my analysis
history repeats it self and when we look at things through a historical prospective i see that, musharaf played the role of ayub khan and yahya khan into one (good economy like ayub but same drinking and parting like yahya), kiyani is playing the role of tikka khan and now we will have a zia ul haq. but this time who ever it will be it will, the gloves will come off and a ruthless accountability across the board.
that my analysis baki ALLAH knows best.

 

[PakShaheen79]

Firstly, I fail to see the underlying objective of this article. Does Dr Farrukh Saleem desire us to reduce the number of generals in the Army? Political ambitions do not stop with generals. Egypt had a large army but it was Col. Nasser who took over. Libya was also taken over by Col Qaddafi when he was only 27 years old. This is not limited to less developed countries; in 1967 a bunch of Colonels threw out the Greek King Constantine II and took over the government of Greece.This military Junta ruled Greece until 1974.

Secondly, with all due respect I fail to see how closing down US embassy will really help in reducing terrorism in Pakistan? Won’t the US also close down Pak Embassies and Consulates in the US mainland in retaliation? Embassy staff in the ‘eyes & ears’ of the country;do we really want to ignore whatever is happening in the most powerful country of the world?

Remember even at the height of cold war, both the US as well as USSR had active embassies in each other’s cities. If looking at the US citizens pains some of the Pakistanis too much, we can ask for a reduction the Diplomatic Staff which is also a two way street. Subsequently if takes one year to get the US visa, Pakistanis should not complain. There are some 5,000 or so Pakistanis studying in the US, with no Consulates, who will take care of their needs?

Even if you close down US embassy, what stops CIA funding terrorists from Afghanistan, India or Dubai? The world has turned into a global village but we prefer to live in isolation! In my humble opinion closing of embassies is always counterproductive.

I would like to comment on bold part only.

Sir, the title Generals was chosen to show that in the armed forces, command structure is the ultimate entity and discipline within that structure is the only binding factor. Secondly, all the media criticism in being done against "Generals", so it has nothing to do with the number of generals. All he is trying to prove is that Generals are not even 0.5% of the total army and their respect by the lower ranked officers is key factor behind discipline of army. If former "Generals" have done something wrong, institution must not be maligned but at the same time Dr. Furrakh Saleem aptly told us that current "Generals" are worried about simultaneous 4G and 3G warfare threats! That is why "Generals" are issuing statements with phrases with embedded messages like " Any effort to create a distinction between the two, undermines the very basis of this concept and is not tolerated, be it Pakistan or any other country".

 

[Last Hope]

Short and quick article, yet brief and precise. I agree.

Once talking to a friend, who happens to be a Major, he said something quite interesting. [Talking about Generals.] 'Its not the person that is (corrupt), it's the post/position."

 

[fatman17]

Chain of command

Farrukh Saleem

Thursday, November 15, 2012





Pakistan is at war – at war to save its soul. The Pakistan Army is at war – at war to save Pakistan from its enemies.



The Pak Army is an organised force raised and trained to respond to emergencies. The enemy has attacked. An order by a superior officer is an order to be obeyed. There is no leisure of time. This is not the corporate world. This is not a primetime talk show. It’s a matter of life and death – kill or be killed. Time is of essence.



There is no time to dissect or analyse the order. This is not a court of law. The army is all about obeying orders – immediately and without question.



Fact 1: In seventeen days of September 1965, a total of 3,800 Pak Army jawans and officers (as per neutral claims) embraced shahadat defending the country they loved. Over the past decade, twice that many have accepted martyrdom for the love of Pakistan – and the war still rages on demanding even more shaheeds in order to protect Pakistan from her enemies.



Question: In 2012, can we hold a single National Assembly session without the army securing Islamabad’s capital territory?


Pakistan is at war – at war to save its soul. The Pakistan Army is at war – at war to save Pakistan from its enemies. For the Pak Army to win this war – the longest and the bloodiest in its history – it needs three things: a strong chain of command, unit cohesion plus confidence of the Pakistani society in its armed forces.



The army’s most powerful weapon is its ‘chain of command’, the formalised ‘system within which authority passes down from the top through a series of military ranks in which each is accountable to the one directly superior’. Intriguingly, the army’s most powerful weapon is also its most vulnerable asset.



Organised warfare is now a science – military science. Unit cohesion is “the willingness to stick together on a mission.” Unit cohesion is all about two things: social cohesion and task cohesion.



Social cohesion is all about “emotional bonds of friendship, liking, caring and closeness” among the members of the armed forces.



And, task cohesion is all about the “shared commitment among members to achieving a goal that requires the collective efforts of the group.”



Unfortunately, the Pak Army’s ‘chain of command’ is under attack by other organs of the state – the state that is in a state of war.



Unit cohesion is under attack (this could lead to widespread insubordination, chaos, anarchy and disintegration of the state).


Unwittingly or consciously, episodes are underway that shake Pakistani society’s confidence in its armed forces – a society that is in a state of war. This will end up in nothing but disaster.



The mother of all questions is: Can the longevity of the State of Pakistan be guaranteed without a firm ‘chain of command’ being intact? Do we want a disciplined army? Do we want an effective army?


Military discipline, to be sure, is “built on the foundation of obedience to orders”. The army’s effectiveness, to be certain, is also “built on the foundation of obedience to orders”.


The writer is a columnist based in Islamabad. Email: farrukh15 *************