ISLAMABAD: Disciplinary violations in Pakistan’s defence forces have increased in the recent years, as like the ordinary public, hearts and minds in the military also are divided on the issue of the so-called US war on terror.
Despite being part of the highly-controversial US war whose targets are Muslims, the motto of the Pakistan military, however, continues to be Islam-centric i.e. Imaan, Taqwa, Jehad Fi-Sabeelillah (Faith, Fear of God, Jehad in the way of Allah).
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirms that there is no change in this motto. To a question, the ISPR also said since the foundation of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan is Islamic, so the Pakistan Army also follows the Islamic ideology. Sources within the military also said despite all pressures, there was no intention to change this particular colour of the country’s defence forces.
However, it is accepted that it is the friction between the military’s post 9/11 Washington-dictated role and its well-entrenched Islamic outlook that it has been facing growing cases of indiscipline. Brigadier Ali’s case, being the latest one, is also considered as the outcome of the same contradiction. The family of Brigadier Ali has already revealed that he was victimised by the then dictator and military chief General Musharraf, whom he confronted over the so-called US-led war on terror.
Eversince Musharraf decided to become a part of the US war on terror, numerous military officials have either opted to seek premature retirement or were sacked or forcibly retired for not willing to be part of this controversial war. The military authorities, however, never shared with the media the number of such military officials.
It was Opposition Leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, who in a recent statement, cautioned the military to stick to its fundamentals (Islamic ideology) to save the state and the institution of the Army from collapse. When asked about the recent arrest of Brigadier Ali, he said although he does not know the background of the case, this suffocating environment is a serious matter of concern for him. He said the basic foundation of the Pakistan defence forces is attached to the Islamic faith and that Pakistan Army was also the Army of Islam.
He warned that any effort to divide the armed forces on secular and religious lines would be disastrous for both the state and military. He added the unity of Pakistan and its armed forces were linked to the Islamic ideology and faith.
Chaudhry Nisar’s statement is seen as a clear message to the military establishment that any further toeing of the US dictates would damage Pakistan and further the divisions not only within the society, but also within the rank and file of the Army.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chief Imran Khan also shares the same opinion. Instead, he was the first one to have warned the top military command in his public statement that launching a military operation in North Waziristan must be ignored to avoid serious rift within the defence forces. In Imran Khan’s view, the Pakistan military could not live on if it is secularised and detached from its Islamic vision.



Many have left Pakistan Army or were sent home