By Qamar Bashir
The 9th May saga has finally come to an end—whether lawfully, unlawfully, or through
the application of brute force. In its press release, the ISPR (Inter-Services Public
Relations) made comprehensive claims, stating that the punishments, which ranged from
seven to ten years to the perpetrators of 9th May, were based on concrete and irrefutable
evidence painstakingly gathered by investigating agencies.
The ISPR attempted to substantiate its claims by releasing a heavily edited video,
accompanied by dramatic music and special effects, as purported "irrefutable" evidence.
However, the press release failed to acknowledge that the verdicts against civilians were
issued under the Army Act, bypassing civilian legal processes. It also omitted critical
details about the court proceedings, such as the collection of evidence, cross-examination
of witnesses, evaluation of the prosecutor's case, and forensic analysis of the video to
verify its authenticity and eliminate suspicions of tampering. The lack of transparency
and adherence to due process raises serious concerns about the legitimacy and fairness of
these judgments.
The ISPR further claimed that the entire nation was deeply agonized by the alleged
attacks on military installations. However, this assertion remains unsubstantiated. If such
a sweeping claim is to be made, it should be backed by credible evidence, such as the
results of a free and fair survey or the outcomes of the May 2024 elections, particularly
the decimation of PTI during the electoral process. Without such supporting evidence, the
ISPR's claim to speak on behalf of the entire nation lacks credibility and oversteps its
institutional boundaries.
The fact remains that the armed forces and their installations are funded by the hard-
earned tax money of the people of Pakistan. It is reasonable to believe that no nation or
political party, under any stretch of imagination, harbors ill will or animosity towards the
armed forces, which are sustained by the nation's taxpayers.
Instead of resorting to introspection, if the ISPR believed that punishing the political
street operators—many of whom likely did not fully understand the gravity of their
actions or the potential consequences—would rekindle the people’s love, affection, and
respect for the armed forces, then it may need to reconsider its approach. It is important
to recognize that many of these individuals may not have had the resources or the means
to defend themselves adequately before the Field General Court Martial.
Moreover, the ISPR's assumptions are contradicted by the public's reaction to its own
communications. After the ISPR posted the fabricated video on its official Twitter
handle, I personally reviewed thousands of comments, hoping to find even a few
supportive voices for the punishments. To my disappointment, less than 1% of the
comments were favorable. This overwhelming public disapproval underscores the urgent
need for introspection and a thoughtful re-evaluation of the current strategy.
The prevailing negative perception of the armed forces is troubling for all reasonable
individuals, including politicians, members of parliament, thinkers, analysts, and citizens
from all segments of society—mothers, sisters, brothers, elders, and youth alike. They
understand that strong, committed, and focused armed forces are essential for the security
and safety of the country and its people. These stakeholders genuinely wish for the image
of the armed forces to be restored as quickly as possible.
However, frequent derogatory press conferences by the ISPR—labeling its own citizens
as terrorists, perpetrator of violence, digital terrorists, or Khawarij, and urging Balochs to
fight with the army instead of targeting innocents—are counterproductive. Statements
insinuating that politicians and activists are rebels or traitors, coupled with the arrests of
political figures, political or right activists do not serve to create respect for the armed
forces, but instead exacerbate the existing distrust and hatred.
It is deeply painful for Pakistanis to witness an institution once cherished and respected
by people across the country now seemingly at odds with various groups—Balochs,
Pashtoons, politicians, businessmen, lawyers, judiciary, public representatives, social
media influencers, overseas Pakistanis, and media professionals.
Unfortunately, the army attempts to address every perceived threat—whether intellectual,
philosophical, or arising from media or social media—through the use of force reflects a
flawed strategy. This force-driven approach, which fails to address the root causes, has
proven ineffective in the past and will continue to fail in the future.
Interestingly, the armed forces have installed a controversial figure as Prime Minister,
who frequently attributes anti-people actions by the government to the Chief of Army
Staff. He has publicly admitted that the Army Chief orchestrated the installation of a
minority government in Pakistan following the alleged manipulation of the 2024
elections. He also thanked the Army Chief for dispersing the PTI public meeting at D-
Chowk on November 26th, during which a brutal operation by the Rangers reportedly
resulted in the deaths of numerous PTI activists, allegedly due to direct fire. The
government conveniently shifts responsibility for all anti-people actions by the Interior
Ministry to the army-appointed Interior Minister.
This deflection of blame by none other than the Prime Minister, coupled with the army's
direct confrontations with citizens across the country, has fundamentally transformed
public perception of the armed forces. Once revered and respected, the armed forces are
now increasingly viewed as adversaries and usurpers of people’s rights. This shift is
deeply disturbing for Pakistanis who want to see their armed forces loved and respected.
However, as the saying goes, love and respect must be mutual; one-sided admiration does
not last long.
This is a critical point for the army leadership and the ISPR to consider. If they believe
that propaganda videos, allegedly produced by unlawfully hired civilians, can restore the
image of the armed forces, they are mistaken. The ISPR must recognize that genuine
public relations require more than superficial attempts at image management. Building
trust and goodwill demands meaningful actions that address the root causes of public
dissatisfaction, rather than relying on ineffective and counterproductive propaganda.
Given this context, it is imperative for all relevant agencies and platforms—such as the
National Assembly, Senate, think tanks, and the armed forces' own research and analysis
wings—to undertake comprehensive research studies, hold debates, and engage in
consultations to address a fundamental question: why have the armed forces seemingly
lost their place in the hearts of the people of Pakistan?
The answer to this question should have been used to understand the root causes of
people-army disconnect which is crucial for rebuilding trust and strengthening the bond
between the armed forces and the citizens they serve. Such a strategy, if effectively
implemented, could have swiftly bridged the trust deficit between the armed forces and
the people, reignited the lost love, and restored the honor and dignity of the institution.
