MONITOR Civil-Military Relations in Pakistan February 2018 - PILDAT
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MONITOR
Civil-Military Relations in Pakistan
February 2018
Pakistan Institute of Legislative
Development And Transparency
PILDAT
Monitor
CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS IN PAKISTAN
February 2018
In this Issue This monitor is meant to identify key developments during the month on Civil Military
Relations in Pakistan with selected high-profile international developments included
1. Troops to be sent to Saudi Arabia occasionally
2. Judiciary backs Army: Nawaz
Sharif Troops to be sent to Saudi Arabia
3. National Security Committee meets
twice in February
4. Defence Minister visits Soldiers
5. COAS Directs discontinuing use of
Watan Cards for Tribals
6. Continuing Role of COAS in
Foreign Affairs
7. President AJK meets COAS
8. Corps Commanders' Conference
9. Commander V Corps inspects Thar
Coal Project
10. Crackdown on Fake Armed Forces
Accounts
11. Students engaging with the Army
12. NAB wants name of ex-ISI Chief
placed on ECL From Left to Right: Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa; Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman;
13. Maldives Chief Justice arrested Chairman Senate, Senator Raza Rabbani; Minister of Defence, Mr. Khurram Dastgir Khan
14. Army Chiefs changed in KSA and
Sudan On February 15, 2018, the Inter-Services Public Relations announced that Pakistan Army
15. Arms Procurement Scandal in contingent is being sent to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) on training and advise mission
Nigeria and that these or troops already there will not be employed outside KSA, adding that the
Pakistan Army maintains bilateral security cooperation with many other GCC/regional
countries.1
The announcement came after the meeting of Chief of Army Staff, General Qamar Javed
Bajwa with Mr. Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliki, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
(KSA).2 Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff had made a three day visit to KSA and UAE in
October 2017 and more recently, in February 2018 where he met with the Saudi Crown
Prince Mohammad bin Salman.3
Saudi Arabia has been involved in an active conflict with the Houthi rebels in Yemen since
2015 when it first requested Pakistan's support. However, Pakistan opted to remain neutral in
the conflict through a unanimous resolution of the Parliament.4 The refusal to send troops
had resulted in diplomatic stresses in Pakistan's relationship with KSA and UAE.
Questions were raised in both houses of Pakistan's Parliament over the 'Army's unilateral
decision' to send troops to KSA especially after the 2015 Parliamentary resolution against it
as the Federal Ministers of Defence and Foreign Affairs were asked to give policy statements
on the issue. 5
While speaking in the Senate, Federal Minister of Defence Mr. Khurram Dastgir Khan,
MNA, said that the Prime Minister has approved deputing 1000 additional Pakistani troops
1. ISPR Press Release, Official Website, February 15, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018 at
https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-press_release&id=4565&cat=army#pr_link4566
2. ISPR Press Release, Official Website, February 15, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018 at
Pakistan Institute of Legislative https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-press_release&id=4565&cat=army#pr_link4566
Development And Transparency 3. Gen Bajwa holds talks with Saudi crown prince, THE NATION, February 02, 2018, as accessed on March 02,
2018, at https://nation.com.pk/02-Feb-2018/gen-bajwa-holds-talks-with-saudi-crown-prince
4. Parliament decides to remain neutral in Saudi-led Yemen war, THE NATION, April 10, 2015, as accessed on
E-mail: info@pildat.org March 02, 2018, at https://tribune.com.pk/story/867500/resolution-expected-on-yemen-crisis-as-joint-
Website: www.pildat.org session-of-parliament-resumes/
5. For details, please see NA, Senate chide govt over troops for Saudi Arabia, Dawn, February 17, 2018:
https://www.dawn.com/news/1389964
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CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS IN PAKISTAN
February 2018
to Saudi Arabia for training and advisory purposes while Pakistan has an existing number of 1,600 Pakistani troops already on deputation
in KSA. 6
It is unclear whether the decision of sending additional troops to KSA has been discussed in the National Security Committee.
Judiciary backs Army: Nawaz Sharif
While addressing a Seminar on 'The Future of Democracy in
Pakistan' in Karachi on February 02, 2018, former Prime
Minister, Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif criticized the
Judiciary to be supportive of the Military Rules. He said that
“…whenever democracy has come under attack, some
sections of the judiciary — instead of standing with the people,
the Constitution and democratic rule — have supported
dictators.” He also said that the Judiciary has “favoured the
doctrine of necessity, and certain sections of the judiciary
have used such theories to give legitimacy to martial laws.”7
Later, on February 19, 2018, Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr.
Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, speaking in the National Assembly
called for a final debate in the Parliament on who has the final
say in legislation. Political leaders from the opposition Mr. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif addressing a Seminar on “The Future of Democracy in
welcomed the Prime Minister's proposal for debate. Mr. Pakistan” in Karachi on February 02, 2018
Mahmood Khan Achakzai, head of Pakhtunkhwa Milli
Awami Party (PkMAP) alleged interference by the Armed Forces, and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in the Senate elections, as well as
playing a major role in change of government in Balochistan. He said, “I appeal to the Chief Justice of Pakistan and the Army Chief. If you
are loyal to the oath you have taken, then stop interfering into politics.” 8
National Security Committee meets twice in February
In a welcome development, two meetings of the National Security Committee (NSC) were held during the month on February 02 and
February 19, 2018.
The crucial National Security Committee which has been established in Pakistan with the National Security Division as its Secretariat for
the first time in 2013, had seen dormancy as it only met 10 times under former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in nearly 4 years and
maintained a poor average of 2.5 meetings per year. Prime Minister Abbasi is maintaining an average of monthly meetings of NSC as the
committee is now meeting more regularly.
While the meeting held on February 2 reportedly discussed the measures taken by Provincial Governments towards fulfilling the
requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) in addition to regional relations,9 the NSC meeting held on February 27, 2018,
discussed Foreign Minister's trip to Russia as well as other issues.10
Chaired by Prime Minister Mr. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, the NSC meetings were joined by the members including Federal Ministers of
Defence, Foreign Affairs, Interior, Advisors to the Prime Minister on Finance and National Security, Chairman JCSC and Chiefs of the
Army, Navy and Air Force.
6. Sparks in Senate as govt refuses details on troops to KSA, THE NATION, February 20, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018, at https://nation.com.pk/20-Feb-
2018/sparks-in-senate-as-govt-refuses-details-on-troops-to-ksa
7. 'Future of Pakistan's democracy uncertain,' Nawaz says, DAWN, February 02, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018, at https://www.dawn.com/news/13868448
8. PM takes PML-N row with judiciary to parliament, DAWN, February 20, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018, at https://www.dawn.com/news/1390490
9. Prime Minister Office, Official Website, February 02, 2018, as accessed on March 08, 2018 http://pmo.gov.pk/press_release_detailes.php?pr_id=2193
10. Prime Minister Office, Official Website, February 27, 2018, as accessed on March 05, 2018 at http://pmo.gov.pk/press_release_detailes.php?pr_id=2213
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Defence Minister visits Soldiers
On February 06, Minister of Defence, Mr. Khurram Dastagir Khan, MNA,
visited injured soldiers at CMH Peshawar. He also visited the home of Shaheed
Captain Jazib Rehman in Kohat. 11
COAS Directs discontinuing use of Watan Cards for Tribals
On February 15, 2018, the ISPR announced that the “COAS directs for
facilitation to Tribal brethren in FATA. Watan Cards earlier issued as ID
document for payment of compensation to TDPs no more required. Henceforth
CNIC will be taken as ID document.” 12
This has perhaps meant that temporary displaced persons (TDPs) of Federally
Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) are allowed by the COAS to use
computerised national identity cards (CNICs) as the documents of
identifications for payments of compensation instead of Watan Cards. It must be
noted that the Watan Cards system, developed by NADRA in supporting the
Minister of Defence, Mr. Khurram Dastgir Khan meeting an injured
Government of Pakistan, has been used to provide financial assistance to TDPs soldier at CMH Peshawar
as well as facilitate rehabilitation of people affected by natural calamities.
Earlier, journalists from South Waziristan visited the ISPR and urged to end Watan Card system, and to allow tribal people to use CNICs
instead. In a meeting with DG ISPR, who briefed them about the on-ground situation and military's de-mining efforts, 13 the visiting
journalists also raised various concerns including over the 'extra-judicial murder' of Naqeebullah Mahsud, failure in arrest of Senior
Superintendent of Police Rao Answar, as well as arrest of local tribesman after a blast by factions opposing government. DG ISPR had
reportedly assured the journalists to forward their demands to the COAS.
Continuing Role of COAS in Foreign Affairs
The COAS continues to play an active role in the diplomatic domain. Following is an account of his diplomatic interactions during
February 2018:
i. Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan, H. E. Mr. Mehdi Honardoost, called on the COAS at the GHQ on February 12, reportedly to
discuss Pakistan-Iran border management and matters of mutual interest.14
ii. On February 12, the newly appointed Turkish Ambassador to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Ishan MustafaYurdakul, called on the COAS to
discuss matters concerning regional security.15
iii. Ambassador of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Pakistan met with the COAS at the GHQ on February 15, and discussed issues of
bilateral relations including defence and training cooperation. 16
11. ISPR Press Release, Official Website, February 06, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018 at https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-
press_release&id=4541&cat=army
12. ISPR Press Release, Official Website, February 15, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018 at https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-
press_release&id=4565&cat=army#pr_link4566
13. ISPR Press Release, Official Website, February 04, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018 at https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-
press_release&cat=army&date=2018/2/4
14. ISPR Press Release, Official Website, February 12, 2018, as accessed on March 05, 2018 at
https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=tpress_release&id=4555&cat=army
15. SPR Press Release, Official Website, February 12, 2018, as accessed on March 05, 2018 at
https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=tpress_release&id=4555&cat=army
16. ISPR Press Release, Official Website, February 15, 2018, as accessed on March 05, 2018 at
https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=tpress_release&id=4565&cat=army#pr_link4566
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President AJK meets COAS
President Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJ&K) Mr. Masood Khan, met with the COAS at the GHQ on February 23. The ISPR reported that
the two discussed matters of mutual interest, specifically, the situation on Line of Control (LOC). Both were in agreement over the
continuation of policy of restraint on Indian provocations, fearing Kashmiri suffering to increase if tensions escalate. 17
Corps Commanders' Conference
A Corps Commanders' Conference held at the GHQ on February 07, 2018, geo-strategic and security environment was reviewed
especially in the context of US security policy, as well as operation Radd-ul-Fasaad, and Indian Cease Fire Violations. 18
Commander V Corps inspects Thar Coal Project
Commander V Corps, Lt. Gen. Shahid Baig Mirza, visited the Thar Coal Project and inspected mining operations at Pakistan's first open-
pit coal mine, under-construction power plant and community development projects, on February 11, 2018. This was shared through a
press release by Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC). He praised the efforts of Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC),
and termed the project to be a game changer in the energy sector. The Commander said that the “Pakistan Army and its subordinate forces
will not allow a scratch on CPEC projects in Sindh.” 19
Crackdown on Fake Armed Forces Accounts
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has reportedly handed over a list
of 250 fake accounts using the names of Pakistan's Armed Forced to the
Federal Investigative Agency (FIA) for a crackdown. Reportedly, these
accounts are operated by unauthorized individuals, who create false
news about the Pakistan Army, and have started getting a lot of attention
on social media forums. The FIA has forwarded the case to Pakistan
Telecommunication Authority (PTA).20
Students engaging with the Army
On February 15, 2018, 500 students and faculty members from
educational institutions in Multan visited Multan Garrison, where they
'spent a day with the Army.' The event was meant to make students
aware of the functioning of the Pakistan Army, as well as its
capabilities. Students were also allowed to fire small arms, and Image of young girls handling sophisticated weaponry on a field trip to Multan
witnessed a weapons and equipment display.21 Garrison, as released by ISPR on February 16, 2018
On February 22, 2018, another group of students and faculty members from different educational institutes spent a day with the Army at
Panu Aqil Garrison, where they witnessed a similar display of arms and ammunition and capabilities of the Pakistan Army. Major General
Zafar Ullah Khan, General officer commanding (GOC) 16 Division also interacted with the students.22
17. SPR Press Release, Official Website, February 23, 2018, as accessed on March 05, 2018 at
https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=tpress_release&id=4586&cat=army
18. ISPR Press Release, Official Website, February 07, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018 at https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-
press_release&id=4544&cat=army
19. Corps Commander inspects Thar Coal Project, DAWN, February 13, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018, at https://www.dawn.com/news/1389004/corps-
commander-reaffirms-protection-for-cpec-projects
20. Crackdown on fake armed forces social media accounts, THE NEWS, February 16, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018, at
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/281609-crackdown-on-fake-armed-forces-social-media-accounts
21. ISPR Press Release, Official Website, February 16, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018 at https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-
press_release&id=4568&cat=army
22. ISPR Press Release, Official Website, February 22, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018 at https://www.ispr.gov.pk/front/main.asp?o=t-
press_release&id=4568&cat=army
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There is no information available about the age group of these young students; however, pictures released by ISPR show rather young girls
with very large guns. Where the press releases note that the purpose of these excursions is to raise awareness about the Pakistan Army, the
nature and need of the awareness is unknown. What seems to be problematic is the blatant display in front of and use of fire-arms by small
children. Children have impressionable minds and exposing them to laudatory use of weaponry may cause them to turn to violence.
NAB wants name of ex-ISI Chief placed on ECL
National Accountability Bureau, through a notification, has accused former Minister of Railways under General Musharraf, Lt. Gen.
(Retd.) Javed Ashraf, of conniving with others to illegally award contract/lease of 140 acres land of Railways Golf Club, Lahore that has
caused huge loss of Rs2.16bn [approximately] to the national exchequer. NAB has recommended to the Government to put Lt. Gen.
(Retd.) Javed Ashraf Qazi on Exit Control List, along with others.23
Apart from the Minister, other army officers named by NAB spokesman include, Former Chairman Railways Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Saeed-uz-
Zafar, Former General Manager Railways, Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Hamid Hassan Butt, Former Member Railways, Brig. (Retd.) Akhtar Ali
Baig. However, these names are not included in the NAB notification for Exit Control List.24
Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Javed Ashraf has also served as ISI DG while Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Saeed-uz-Zafar has served as Peshawar Corps Commander.
In 2012, NAB had summoned the military officers to record their statements, but the Generals were not convicted.25
In 2009, the Public Accounts Committee was about to take action against the former Generals involved in a Rs. 4 billion scam in the
National Logistics Cell (NLC), however, the then COAS Gen. Ashfaq Kayani decided to proceed against the accused under the Pakistan
Army Act instead of through a Civil Court or NAB. It was only in 2015 that the ISPR announced some form of conclusion of the NLC
scam. 26
International News
Maldives Chief Justice arrested
On February 06, the Maldives Military troops arrested Chief Justice Abdulla Saeed and another Supreme Court judge, at the behest of the
President of Maldives Abdulla Yameen, who declared emergency in the Island nation, saying, “I had to declare a national emergency
because there was no other way to investigate these judges.” 27
The Supreme Court judges had ordered the release of political dissidents, in the face of escalating arrests of opponents of President
Yameen.
Army Chiefs changed in KSA and Sudan
On February 27, King of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud, fired Saudi Arabia's Chief of Army Staff, and the heads of ground
and air defence forces, by an overnight decree.28 First Lieutenant General Fayyad bin Hamed al-Ruwayli was appointed the new chief of
staff. The move appears to be part of the recent reshuffle in key State portfolios in KSA.
23. NAB wants name of ex-ISI chief placed on ECL, DAWN, February 25, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018, at https://www.dawn.com/news/1391550
24. NAB wants name of ex-ISI chief placed on ECL, DAWN, February 16, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018, at https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/281609-
crackdown-on-fake-armed-forces-social-media-accounts
25. NAB wants name of ex-ISI chief placed on ECL, DAWN, February 16, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018, at https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/281609-
crackdown-on-fake-armed-forces-social-media-accounts
26. For details, please see Convictions in the National Logistics Cell (NLC) Scam, PILDAT Monitor on Civil Military Relations, August 2015:
http://www.pildat.org/Publications/publication/CMR/MonitoronCivil-MilitaryRelationsinPakistan_Aug2015.pdf
27. Maldives' top judge arrested as state of emergency declared, THE NEWS, February 07, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018, at
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/277822-maldives-top-judge-arrested-as-state-of-emergency-declared
28. Saudi Arabia fires top army chiefs in military shake-up, AL JAZEERA, February 27, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018, at
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/02/saudi-arabia-fires-top-army-chiefs-military-shake-180227054218368.html
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In a similar fashion, Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir also replaced
the Army Chief on the same day, February 27, 2018, in a further shake-up of the
security establishment. Earlier in February, the Sudanese President had
replaced the head of National Intelligence and Security Service, reinstating
Salah Abdullah Mohamed Saleh.29 Sudanese Army Spokesman also announced
a series of senior appointments in the armed forces, saying that the changes were
routine.
Arms Procurement Scandal in Nigeria
On February 21, 2018, Nigerian ex-Army Chief, Retired Lieutenant-General
Ihejirika was hauled by Nigeria's anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial
Crimes Commission (EFCC), to answer questions about the role he played in
the US $ 2.1 billion arms procurement scandal. The General was one of 18
retired army officials being investigated by a committee set up by Nigerian
President Muhammadu Buhari on assumption of office.30 The General was
released on administrative bail after the preliminary interrogations.31
Nigerian ex-Army Chief, Retired Lieutenant-General Ihejirika
29. Sudan replaces army chief in security reshuffle, REUTERS, February 27, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018, at https://www.reuters.com/article/sudan-
army/sudan-replaces-army-chief-in-security-reshuffle-idUSL8N1QH4V0
30. Arms Procurement Scandal: Why Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Is After Former Chief of Army Staff Ihejirika, SAHARA REPORTERS, February
22, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018, at http://saharareporters.com/2018/02/22/arms-procurement-scandal-why-economic-and-financial-crimes-commission-
after-former-chief
31. Dasukigate: EFCC grills Nigeria's former Army Chief Ihejirika, NAIRALAND FORUM, February 21, 2018, as accessed on March 02, 2018, at
http://www.nairaland.com/4361526/dasukigate-efcc-grills-ihejirika
07Pakistan Institute of Legislative
Development And Transparency
Islamabad Office: P. O. Box 278, F-8, Postal Code: 44220, Islamabad, Pakistan
Lahore Office: P. O. Box 11098, L.C.C.H.S, Postal Code: 54792, Lahore, Pakistan
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