MONITOR Civil-Military Relations in Pakistan February 2019 - PILDAT
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MONITOR
Civil-Military Relations in Pakistan
February 2019
Pakistan Institute of Legislative
Development And Transparency
PILDAT
Monitor
CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS IN PAKISTAN
February 2019
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 occasionally.
1. A War-like Situation
2. Elected Government has Complete A War-like Situation
Support of the Armed Forces: FM
Qureshi
3. Supreme Court puts Memo Case On February 14, a vehicle filled with explosives rammed into a convoy of the Indian Central
Suo Motu to Rest Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in the Occupied Kashmir, killing over 40 soldiers in what has been
4. Saudi Crown Prince Meets COAS termed as the “worst attack in the disputed region in three decades.”1 While India claims that
5. Former Chinese Military Chief of proscribed Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) took responsibility of planning the attack, Pakistan
Staff Imprisoned maintains that JeM has not claimed to do so.2 In fact, JeM was banned in Pakistan in 2002.
6. Crisis in Venezuela
International media stories address the issue of “structural violence and political repression in
Kashmir”3 as responsible for turning the 19-year old young Kashmiri boy, Adil Ahmad Dar, into
the suicide bomber behind what is now referred to as the Pulwama attack and narrate that as a
young kid, a group of the Jammu and Kashmir police's counterinsurgency unit, earlier called the
Special Task Force, had stopped him on the way back from school and forced the boy to make a
circle around their jeep on the ground with his nose. In addition, during mass protests in Kashmir
in 2016, when Indian troops killed about 100 protesters and blinded several hundred, Mr. Dar
was shot in his leg. After he joined the militants in March 2018, Indian troops raided their home,
locked the inhabitants inside and set it on fire.4
In the aftermath of the Pulwama incident, the Indian Government blamed Pakistan and as
protests erupted across India targeting Kashmiris, the Indian Government announced that it was
withdrawing the most favoured nation (MFN) trade status for Pakistan and hiked tariffs to the
extent of 200 per cent on imports from that country.5 Here is the timeline of the scenario as it
unfolded during February 2019:
Adil Ahmad Dar
1. The New York Times. Kashmir Suffers From the Worst Attack There in 30 Years. February 14, 2019.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/14/world/asia/pulwama-attack-kashmir.html?module=inline. (accessed
March 05, 2019).
2. YouTube. Minister of Foreign Affairs Shah Mahmood Qureshi Exclusive Interview on CNN Amanpour. February
28, 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6iU8rM1_6Y (accessed March 05, 2019).
3. The New York Times. The Young Suicide Bomber Who Brought India and Pakistan to the Brink of War. March 2,
Pakistan Institute of Legislative 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/02/opinion/sunday/kashmir-india-pakistan.html. (accessed March 05,
Development And Transparency
2019).
4. The New York Times. 'By the time this video reaches you, I'll be in Heaven': The teen behind Kashmir's deadliest
attack. February 15, 2019. https://scroll.in/article/913338/by-the-time-this-video-reaches-you-ill-be-in-heaven-
E-mail: info@pildat.org the-teen-behind-kashmirs-deadliest-attack. (accessed March 05, 2019).
Website: www.pildat.org 5. TRT World. India strikes Pakistan to quench public outrage over Pulwama attack.
https://www.trtworld.com/asia/india-strikes-pakistan-to-quench-public-outrage-over-pulwama-attack-24505
(accessed March 05, 2019).
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Monitor
CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS IN PAKISTAN
February 2019
1. February 19, 2019; Video Message by Prime Minister: In a
Video Message, Prime Minister Imran Khan offered to the Indian
Government that Pakistan will take action against any individual if
Delhi shares any actionable intelligence and evidence concerning
Pulwama attack. He said that India blamed Pakistan without any
evidence without thinking about what would be in it for Pakistan?
He said India is stuck in the past and instead of moving towards
resolution of the issue of Kashmir through dialogue, India
continues to make Pakistan into a whipping boy.
Prime Minister Imran Khan
Kisi qisam ki aap tehqeeqaat ker wana chahte hain iss incidence
mein, ke koi Pakistani iss mein mulawis tha, hum tayar hain. Agar
aap ke paas koi actionable intelligence hai ke Pakistan involved hai, who aap hamain dain, mein aap ko guarantee kerta hoon ke hum
action lain ge; aur action iss liye nahin lain ge ke hamain kisi ka pressure hai; action iss liye lain ge ke yeh Pakistan se dushmani ker
rahain hai agar koi Pakistan ki zameen istemaal ker raha hai.6
If the Indian Government wants us to undertake any investigation into this incidence, we are ready. If you [Indian Government] have
any actionable evidence that Pakistan was involved [behind Pulwama incident], you give us that [evidence], and I guarantee to you
that we will take action; and we won't take action because we are under any pressure; we will take action because if anyone is using
Pakistan's soil [against India], it amounts to being anti-Pakistan.
Prime Minister also warned India that if it takes any action against, Pakistan will have no choice but to retaliate. (Agar aap ye
samajhte hain ke aap Pakistan pe kisi kisam ka hamla karain ge, Pakistan retaliate kerne ka sauche ga nahin, Pakistan retaliate
karary ga!).
2. February 22, 2019; NSC Meeting: Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting of National Security Committee to discuss geo
strategic and national security environment and situation arising after the Pulwama Incident. The official communique from the NSC
meeting conveyed that the “State of Pakistan is not involved in any way, means or form” in the Pulwama which was conceived,
planned and executed indigenously [in India].
The NSC reiterated that Pakistan has sincerely offered investigation of the incident as well as the offer of dialogue on the issue of
terrorism among other disputed issues and Pakistan expects India to positively respond to the offers.
The NSC went on to say that “India also needs deep introspection to realize that why people of Indian Occupied Kashmir have lost
fear of death. The violence by Indian forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir is highly counterproductive and the global community needs
to play its part in resolving the long pending Kashmir issue in
accordance with UN resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiris.”
Prime Minister also authorized Armed Forces of Pakistan to
respond decisively and comprehensively to any aggression or
misadventure by India.7
3. February 26, 2019; Indian Attack: On February 26, Indian
fighter jets came inside Pakistani territory. While the Indian
Government claimed that Indian planes carried out a bombing raid
that targeted the largest training base belonging to JeM and
eliminated “a very large number of JeM terrorists, trainers [and]
senior commanders,”8 DG ISPR clarified that Indian aircrafts
crossed across the LoC and when pursued by Pakistan Air Force,
“released payload” towards Balakot in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa in
haste while escaping and neither a building was hit, nor there were
Wreckage of the IAF plane in Pakistan
any casualties.
6. YouTube. PM Imran Khan Address To The Nation | Pulwama | 19 Feb 2019. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFHSVuoOikQ. (accessed March 05, 2019).
7. PMO.Gov.PK. Website. Prime Minister Imran Khan today chaired a meeting of National Security Committee at Prime Minister's Office. February 21, 2019.
http://pmo.gov.pk/press_release_detailes.php?pr_id=2699. (accessed March 05, 2019).
8. The Independent.co.uk. Website. India-Pakistan crisis: Tensions rise over Kashmir after 'surgical airstrike' on militant training camp.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/india-pakistan-aircraft-bombing-pulwama-kashmir-balakot-fighter-jets-attack-a8796946.html. (accessed March 05,
2019).
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February 2019
4.. February 26, 2019; NSC Meeting: A special meeting of the
National Security Committee “strongly rejected” Indian claim of
targeting an alleged terrorist camp near Balakot and the claim of
heavy casualties and termed it as the Indian government resorting
to “self serving and reckless” action “done for domestic
consumption being in election environment.”
The NSC stated that India has committed uncalled for aggression
to which “Pakistan shall respond at the time and place of its
choosing.” The Forum also decided to requisition joint session of
the Parliament while the Prime Minister summoned a special
meeting of the National Command Authority.” 9 COAS with Chairman Senate and Speaker National Assembly ahead of
Briefing to the Parliament
Later, in a press conference, DG ISPR said that now it is time for
India to wait for Pakistan's response which will come at “a point
and time of our choosing.”10
5. February 27, 2019; Pakistan's Response: On February 27, Pakistan Air Force undertook strikes across the LoC from Pakistani
airspace to “demonstrate our right, will and capability for self defence,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, adding that Pakistan
does not wish to escalate, but is fully prepared if forced into that paradigm.” DG ISPR confirmed that, in response to PAF strikes
Indian Air Force crossed the LoC and the PAF shot down two Indian aircraft inside Pakistani airspace, one of which fell inside Azad
Jammu and Kashmir while the other fell inside Indian occupied Kashmir. He also confirmed that Pakistan arrested one Indian pilot. 11
6. February 27, 2019; In-Camera Briefing to the Parliament: Parliamentary leaders were briefed on the security situation by the
Foreign Minister, DG ISPR and Chief of Army Staff in an in-camera briefing to the Parliament. Later, a statement issued by the
National Assembly Secretariat said that the Parliament “unanimously expressed that they stand united against any aggression against
Pakistan and will support the Government and it's institutions unconditionally.” Following the briefing, Foreign Minister Qureshi
said that parliamentary parties' leaders had expressed their solidarity with the Armed Forces and the Government.12 Prime Minister of
Pakistan, Mr. Imran Khan, was not part of the briefing to the Parliament.
7. February 27, 2019; PM Addresses the Nation: In an address to the nation on February 27, Prime Minister Imran Khan said that
following Pakistan's retaliatory attack into Pakistan and capture of the Indian Pilot, it is now up to India not to further escalate the
crisis between the two countries. He said that world history tells us that wars get prolonged due to miscalculation. Pakistan is ready to
engage into a dialogue with India and better sense should prevail in
India to engage with Pakistan. 13
8. February 28, 2019; PM Announces Release of Indian Pilot:
Addressing the joint session of Parliament, as Prime Minister
Imran Khan announced that “as a first step to open negotiations,
Pakistan will be releasing the Indian Air Force officer in our
custody,”14 the whole house, including treasury and opposition
members, thumped their desks to welcome the announcement.
International media and social media widely welcomed the
initiative and announcement by the Pakistan Government.
Prime Minister speaking in the Parliament
9. PMO.Gov.PK. Website. A special meeting of the National Security Committee chaired by the Prime Minister was held at Prime Minister's office. February 26, 2019.
http://pmo.gov.pk/press_release_detailes.php?pr_id=2707. (accessed March 05, 2019).
10. Dawn.com. 'Time for India to wait for our response': ISPR DG debunks New Delhi's claims on LoC violation. February 26, 2019. https://www.dawn.com/news/1466161.
(accessed March 05, 2019).
11. Dawn.Com. 2 Indian aircraft violating Pakistani airspace shot down; pilot arrested. February 27, 2019. https://www.dawn.com/news/1466347. (accessed March 05, 2019).
12. Dawn.Com. Website. Govt, army brief parliamentary leaders on Indian aggression at in-camera session. February 27, 2019. https://www.dawn.com/news/1466415.
(accessed March 05, 2019).
13. YouTube. Prime Minister Imran Khan Address to Nation | 27 February 2019 | 92NewsHD. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJUOuSnC288. (accessed March 05, 2019).
14. Dawn.Com. Website. Indian pilot to be freed today as peace gesture: PM. March 01, 2019. https://www.dawn.com/news/1466858. (accessed March 05, 2019).
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February 2019
9. February 28, 2019; Situation Update: In a Situation Update15 on February 28, 2019, the ISPR reported that Pakistan Army troops
are at high alert along the Line of Control (LoC), with all required safeguards along Eastern Border in place, to thwart any Indian
aggression. The ISPR press release stated that in the past 48 hours, Indian troops resorted to increased cease fire violations in Kotli,
Khuiratta and Tatta Pani Sectors along the LoC and Indian deliberate firing on civilians resulted into shahadat of 4 citizens injuries of
2. The ISPR cautioned public “to stay mindful about rumour mills and stay responsible in use of social media.”Elected Government
has Complete Support of the Armed Forces: FM Quresh
Elected Government has Complete Support of the Armed
Forces: FM Qureshi
In an interview to CNN's Christiane Amanpour,16 Pakistan's Foreign
Minister, Mr. Shah Mahmood Qureshi, said that “after a very long time in
Pakistan, there is a Government which has complete support of the Pakistan
Armed Forces.” He went on to add that military and political leadership
being on the same page offers a great opportunity to India, which it should
avail for talks with Pakistan.
Mr. Qureshi also repeated the statement that the PTI
Government enjoys support of the military in yet another
interview given to the TRT World.17 Foreign Minister Qureshi speaking to Christiane Amanpour
Supreme Court puts Memo Case Suo Motu to Rest
On February 14, Supreme Court said that it was the statutory duties of the
authorities to pursue the matter of arrest of Mr. Hussain Haqqani, former
Ambassador of Pakistan to the US, in the 'Memo case'.18 “It seems nothing to
be done at this juncture that needs intervention of this Supreme Court,” the
court observed while disposing off the case.
On a suo motu, the court had taken up a case pertaining to steps being taken
by the government for ensuring implementation of the Supreme Court's
earlier directive to bring former Ambassador Haqqani back home. During
the hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mr. Asif Saeed Khosa, was reported
as saying that “with the blessings of Allah Almighty, the State of Pakistan is
strong and not weak to stumble over writing a memorandum.”19
Key characters in the Memo case
15. Inter Services Public Relations. Website. Situation Update. Due to prevailing environment Pakistan Army troops are at high alert along Line of control with all required
safeguards along Eastern Border in place to thwart any Indian aggression. February 28, 2019. https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=5208. (accessed March
05, 2019).
16. Yo u Tu b e . M i n i s t e r o f F o r e i g n A ff a i r s S h a h M a h m o o d Q u r e s h i E x c l u s i v e I n t e r v i e w o n C N N A m a n p o u r. F e b r u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6iU8rM1_6Y (accessed March 05, 2019).
17. Yo u Tu b e . O n e o n O n e E x p r e s s : I n t e r v i e w w i t h S h a h M a h m o o d Q u r e s h i , P a k i s t a n i F o r e i g n M i n i s t e r. F e b r u a r y 2 8 , 2 0 1 9 .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQoy1cEVgb0. (accessed March 05, 2019).
18. PILDAT.Org. Website. Memo Scandal: PILDAT Quarterly Monitor on Civil-Military Relations in Pakistan: January – March 2012. https://pildat.org/civil-military-
relations1/pildat-quarterly-monitor-on-civil-military-relations-in-pakistan-january-march-2012 (accessed March 05, 2019).
19. Dawn.Com. Website. Eight years on, SC disposes of memogate case. February 15, 2019. https://www.dawn.com/news/1463939/eight-years-on-sc-disposes-of-memogate-
case (accessed March 05, 2019).
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CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS IN PAKISTAN
February 2019
Saudi Crown Prince Meets COAS
On February 18, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during his
visit to Pakistan, reportedly had an important meeting with Chief of the
Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa at the Prime Minister's
House.20 DG ISI, DG ISPR and DG MI were also present in the meeting.
According to the ISPR, “Regional security focusing on Middle East was
discussed during the meeting.” Pakistan's initiatives on the ongoing peace
talks between the United States and Taliban were also discussed, it added.
nternational Developments
Former Chinese Military Chief of Staff Imprisoned 21
On February 20, Chinese State media reported that a former chief of staff of
China's military was sentenced to life in prison in President Xi Jinping's
COAS Bajwa with Saudi Crown Prince
ongoing anti-graft crackdown.
The AFP reported, quoting official news agency Xinhua, that Mr. Fang Fenghui was appointed to the People's Liberation Army's top post in
2012 and was convicted of accepting and offering bribes, and having an unclear source of a huge amount of assets. A military court sentenced
Fang to life in prison, stripped him of political rights for life, and ordered
the confiscation of all his personal assets. All of Fang's recovered assets
will be turned over to the state treasury.
Mr. Fang Fenghui was abruptly replaced in August 2017 amid a stand-off
with India over a territorial dispute, and just days after he had met the US
top brass to discuss North Korea. The general was transferred to the
military prosecution authority on suspicion of bribery in January of last
year, state media reported at the time.
China's President Xi Jinping has reportedly sought to enhance his control
over China's two-million-strong military, the world's largest, reshuffling its
leadership and vowing to make it "world-class" by 2050. The military was
ordered to pledge to be "absolutely loyal, honest and reliable to Xi" in new
guidelines released by the Central Military Commission in 2017. Mr. Fang Fenghui, Former Chinese Chief of Staff
20. TheNews.Com.Pk. Website. MBS, COAS agree to bolster defence ties. February 19, 2019. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/433644-mbs-coas-agree-to-bolster-defence-
ties. (accessed March 05, 2019).
21. TheNews.Com.Pk. Website. Ex-Chinese military chief of staff jailed for life over graft. February 21, 2019. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/434622-ex-chinese-
military-chief-of-staff-jailed-for-life-over-graft. (accessed March 05, 2019).
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February 2019
Crisis in Venezuela
The crisis on who is the legitimate president of Venezuela has deepened
further as the President-elect, declared by the National Assembly, Mr.
Juan Guaidó, has taken oath of office though Mr. Nicolás Maduro has
held on to the presidency, backed by Venezuela's Armed Forces that
support him.
The two men have been at loggerheads for more than a month. While Mr.
Guaidó has been recognised by more than 50 countries, Mr. Maduro, who is
backed by China, Russia and Cuba, insists that he is the only legitimate
president. After the May 2018 re-election, the results of which have not
been recognized by the United States and Lima Group of mostly right-
leaning Latin American governments due to low turnout and allegations of
vote-buying by the government, in January 2019, Mr. Maduro went ahead Presidential Contenders in Venezuela: Mr. Nicolás Maduro (left) and Mr. Juan
with his inauguration for a second six-year term while Mr. Guaidó, assumed Guaidó (right)
leadership of the National Assembly, and swore himself as interim president
at the opposition's rally. 22
On February 3, US President Donald Trump, in an interview to CBS, said that military intervention was a possibility. “Certainly, it's something
that's on the — it's an option.”23
22. Reuters.Com. Website. How Venezuela got here: a timeline of the political crisis. January 29, 2019. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venezuela-politics-timeline/how-
venezuela-got-here-a-timeline-of-the-political-crisis-idUSKCN1PN05S. (accessed March 05, 2019).
23. Dawn.Com. Website. Sending troops to Venezuela an option, says Trump. February 4, 2019. https://www.dawn.com/news/1461693/sending-troops-to-venezuela-an-
option-says-trump. (accessed March 05, 2019).
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Pakistan 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
E-mail: info@pildat.org | Website: www.pildat.org
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