Tensions have emerged within the Pakistani military as concern grows that the army is losing status, threatening the supremacy of the 600,000-man institution that has dominated the country politically since its birth.
Qamar Javed Bajwa, appointed as commander of the world’s sixth largest army in November last year, was taken to task last week by junior officers unhappy about perceived efforts by Nawaz Sharif, the prime minister, to curb its power.
Many in the ranks are sceptical about closer ties with Mr Sharif’s government, which the general was expected to usher in with his pro-democracy credentials. General Bajwa has been saddled with the reputation of being “Sharif’s man”. He has little counterinsurgency experience in Pakistan’s decade-long war against Islamist militants in its west.
The rift may alarm western allies, for whom smooth relations between Pakistan’s government and military are a guarantee of stability in a country possessing nuclear weapons and still regarded as a bulwark against international terrorism.
At an army dinner, or darbar, where the floor is open to all, the general faced unusually candid questioning last week over government meddling.
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Officers complained about a senior minister attacking military courts — introduced in 2015 to allow the army to try terrorism suspects — and the recent dressing down of Pakistan’s former intelligence chief by Mr Sharif and his brother that was leaked to the press. Military sources said that General Bajwa promised to address the concerns, telling the officers: “You do your job and let me do mine.” The exchange was itself leaked, however.
Mr Sharif resisted enormous pressure to extend the term of General Bajwa’s popular predecessor, Raheel Sharif, who led a brutally effective campaign against militants sheltering in Pakistan’s lawless tribal belt after the Peshawar school massacre in 2014. Security has improved markedly across Pakistan, although there has been a string of horrific attacks by the Taliban, Isis and affiliates of al-Qaeda in the past year.
Determined to regain some ground in the constant tug of war between civilian and military rule in Pakistan, Mr Sharif, who has twice before been toppled from power, ignored the calls to retain General Sharif. It was the first time a Pakistani military chief had departed as scheduled in more than 20 years.
It was a victory for the prime minister and should help to ensure that Pakistan approaches a smooth transition of power at the general election in 2018. It would be the second time this has happened in seven tumultuous decades in which democracies and dictatorships alike have been cut short by assassinations and martial law.
At a time of tension between Pakistan and India, General Bajwa does at least bring vast experience from commands on the border and in Kashmir.
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Since taking the reins he has reshuffled the military old guard. Powerful officers have been moved on, including the chief of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Pakistan’s spy agency.