It is very natural that one thinks of time easing out of government-military relations when Pakistan's top military brass is there at a place—the presidency--with which it was not happy over the last many weeks. The COAS along with all services chief was around President Zardari when Navychief Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila was decorated Friday with Nishan-i-Imtiaz (military) for his meritorious services.
Nishan-i-Imtiaz is one of the highest national honors in Pakistan.
President Zardari had his second meeting with his army chief in a week and especially with the one who was reluctant to visit presidency earlier.
The body language and the analysis of the people who eye on government-military relations in Pakistan claim it was a sign that the crisis generated by the memo scandal was over even though the inquiry by a Supreme Court-appointed commission was ongoing.
'The presence at the investiture ceremony of the entire military top brass, including Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen KhalidShameem Wynne, Chief of the Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman, reinforced this impression.', writes a leading English daily of Pakistan.
"An icebreaker between President Zardari and Gen Kayani preceded it last week after weeks of heightened tensions. A meeting between Gen Wynne and the president followed, making it further clear that a rapprochement was at work. So it was natural for the electronic media to attach significance to the Zardari-Kayani meeting— their second direct interaction over the past seven days— on the sidelines of the ceremony."
Last month, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani launched the very first round against the military establishment and said there can be no state within a state.
Also, the Prime Minister did not hesitate accusing the COAS and the DG ISI having acted “unconstitutionally and illegally” while submitting replies to the Supreme Court in the memo case. The army retaliated almost in the same tone and warned of serious ramifications.
Islamabad's reports said some mediators stepped in before the situation reached a point of no return. Saudis are also said to be among the forces that remained active to bring about a thaw in government-military relations.
Soon after, Gen Kayani was seen going to the Presidency last Saturday to offer truce in return for the government creating a conducive environment so that the two could live together.
Yet another report said Friday President Zardari held an informal meeting with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of the Staff Committee General Khalid Shameem Wynne and services chiefs over a cup of tea at the Presidency. As refreshments were served after the ceremony, the president held informal talks with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Khalid Shameem Wynne, army chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman and Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila.
Manzoor Shaikh, Jan 21, 2012
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