Agreed, but the internal dynamics of Pakistan have been different. There has been a perceptible tilt towards military in civ-mil equation in the past. The first democratic transition took place in 2013 and the second one will be happening in 2018. Due to this tilt, there is a general perception of Army being the protector of ideological and geographic frontiers of the country. This perception is the reason why "over-glorifying" exists. It is due to this tilt, that army naturally plays a dominant role in all geostrategically important projects and is specific in relations with China , thus we even saw the Chinese asking Pakistan Army to play a more active role in managing CPEC rather than just security role. US in 1950's was a vibrant democracy, it had a balanced civ-mil equation, Pakistan is on the right path and is going there, but iit is too early to say Army's role will be limited to that of security in geostrategically important projects.
Sir, I agree with your post and everything you wrote. But one part, "The Chinese asked the Pakistanis to play an important part". This is just a bunch of baloney. Sir, I've done a lot of work in various different places across the globe and know your country too. So its nothing new to me in term of knowing dynamics of various places. The only thing the Chinese and the Pakistani government did ask the Army, was to protect the route. Which is the responsibility of the military anyway. In the previous military rules, the military has strengthened itself to be "the only" institute that had discipline and can work. The Civilian police forces, etc, weren't even modern enough beyond WWII rifles (majority of them). So Army was a cure to everything.
Had the institutions been allowed to be built (including the police force, etc,etc), you'd see much less corruption and everything else as once the system gets developed, it takes about 10 years to mature it. Your systems are now being created and developed (special police forces, anti corruption laws, Panama leaks, etc, etc). So all these are a part of maturing a system to where it would eventually start to function like the UK or the US to majority of the degree. People and families will fade away, in terms of influence and the institutions will flourish. That is when all "ingredients" come together and you have a nicely tasting Chicken Tikka Masala (I am a big fan of it so I didn't know how else to use the analogy
. So for a tasty dish to be cooked, all ingredients have to come together and taste the right way, meaning work together.
The media, etc, and the military should start to reduce the over-glorification and let all institutes work together. Pakistan could have a regional power status that she could start to get in the next 10 years (7th largest populated country and 7th largest military), the only thing lacking, are proper institutes to manage this transition and take the country forward. Thanks
i have to jump in i m sorry in advance
the thing is sir that what you are describing about Military institution is nothing less than the simplest truth but the fact is every army or every place is different than others
US dont have the past we have
US military did not played in role in national politics but pakistani Army and other armies like turkish do
we are all aware of its involvement in domestic politics but if you will look closely in recent events
strategic diplomacy is also being conducted by Pakistani Army
its involvement in SCO is clear indication of it Diplomatic efforts of COAS
infact what i am trying to say is very simple
IT is not the same for everyone
It works differently for different people
Sir, Does it work differently for everyone or is that the "game plan" to keep the military showcased as super-humans? When you over-glorify everything on media, common person will get effected and will think the same way. So a politicians can do corruption and be baster*dized for decades for it, a military general can do corruption and the voices never come out?
Think about it, is it "different for everyone" or is it being run this way? To me, it has been run this way and that means, it is "correctable". Hypothetical situation, if there was a coupe in Pakistan next year what do you think will happen? All these automakers,electronic giants,, etc, getting ready to invest into Pakistan, will leave. And India will be sending in "sanctions" resolution in the UN, supported by the US and the UK, etc. Even if just the est implements it, there will be serious draw backs. The point I am trying to make is, not to scare anyone, but to really outline that it is not the time with playing these old games. Pakistan has a very bright path and the system should work together with all its components participating. Not one over-glorified a lot more than everything else.
What do mature and successful people do? They change with times and adapt to the changes around them. Otherwise, they would be running the old show in new times and will fail. Thanks
