Rehman Malik not allowed to enter GHQ

[pkd]

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GHQ is ‘out of bounds’ for Rehman Malik
By Syed Irfan Raza
ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Rehman Malik faced an embarrassing situation on Wednesday when he was not allowed to enter the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi during a ‘scheduled’ visit to attend ‘a ceremony’ to pay homage to the army personnel who died during the siege on Saturday.

Interior ministry sources told Dawn that the minister had gone to the GHQ to attend the ceremony and stayed there for a couple of minutes and returned to Islamabad after placing a wreath at the Yadgar-i-Shohada, which is far away from the main GHQ building.

Malik was not accorded protocol at the GHQ where he arrived at the GHQ to place wreaths on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

He placed flowers on the memorial after he was not taken to the main building, sources said. According to sources, there was no senior military official to receive the minister and he stayed there hardly for three minutes before returning to the capital.

Earlier, the interior ministry’s media team had invited reporters to attend a ceremony at the GHQ, where the interior minister would ‘unveil a plaque bearing the names of the slain military personnel’.

Journalists were later told that no such function would be held and they need not reach the venue.

Sometime later, reporters were informed that the minister had visited the GHQ and laid floral wreaths there.

Nawazish Ali, the interior ministry’s media director, said the minister stayed there ‘only for five minutes because he had to … attend the National Assembly session’.

An official of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the minister’s visit was scheduled and that he placed a floral wreath at the Yadgar-i-Shohada.

There was no explanation why the minister was not received by any senior GHQ official and for his brief stay.

[blain2]

Poor guy..attended to by a Brig...not sure what this is about. Maybe the intention was only to go the memorial for the martyrs.
http://www.app.com.pk/photo/photo_li...fe7886e37a.jpg

[rajeev]

I dont know why Pakistanis are not fighting against this. How can civilian leader - a leader elected by the people of Pakistan not allowed to enter? Who runs the country - army or politicians? If this is democratic rule, what is army rule then?

[qsaark]

I dont know why Pakistanis are not fighting against this. How can civilian leader - a leader elected by the people of Pakistan not allowed to enter? Who runs the country - army or politicians? If this is democratic rule, what is army rule then?

Because this is not what bothers an average Pakistanis. Respect is earned and the politicians are doing nothing to earn that respect. If there comes a democratic government that would solve the everyday problems of Pakistanis and would give them the due respect, than you will see that people will reciprocate accordingly. I can not speak for many but I myself am a staunchest supporter of the democracy. However, the way Zardari government has performed so far, I don’t want to see him in power for even one more day. I and many Pakistanis may tolerate a corrupt government as we all are corrupt at some level, but a President and or his cabinet started looking like a security risk for the country is intolerable.

[graphican]

I dont know why Pakistanis are not fighting against this. How can civilian leader - a leader elected by the people of Pakistan not allowed to enter? Who runs the country - army or politicians? If this is democratic rule, what is army rule then?

Not politicians, but these are the stooges who doesn't have any respect anywhere in the country... military is no exception.

And for your info, Rehman Malik is non-elected member of the government who was initially an adviser to the Defense Ministry (but always had more powers than the minister itself). He is member of Senate now and is excellent example to study how bad people ruin good systems.

[S-2]

A soldier doesn't salute his superior out of respect. He might or might not actually feel such but his salute is rendered in acknowledgment of the authority and trust invested in that higher ranking individual by the institution whom promoted that man.

So too here. You respect and promote the institution or not. Now nobody here likely knows the specific circumstances of this alleged incident but the expressions based upon the speculation reveal that there's no adherence to institutional authority, if the reports are correct.

That will be a problem and underlies a greater problem of institutional arrogance within your military which can only be overcome by your armed forces freely acceding key powers back into their rightful holders and then rendering the finest professional advice to help guide their decisions.

I hope matters begin to reverse themselves but if your public doesn't understand and be patient, then you'll continue to be guided through leadership by charisma and not the institutions and laws of the land.

[rajeev]

Because this is not what bothers an average Pakistanis. Respect is earned and the politicians are doing nothing to earn that respect. If there comes a democratic government that would solve the everyday problems of Pakistanis and would give them the due respect, than you will see that people will reciprocate accordingly. I can not speak for many but I myself am a staunchest supporter of the democracy. However, the way Zardari government has performed so far, I don’t want to see him in power for even one more day. I and many Pakistanis may tolerate a corrupt government as we all are corrupt at some level, but a President and or his cabinet started looking like a security risk for the country is intolerable.

I think this is not healthy to have long-term democratic rule. Army should obey civilian leaders, otherwise Pakistan will go through coups again. This kind of back and forth between army and civilian rule will provide instability. You guys have to choose to have one form of rule. Switching back and forth every couple of years will destroy Pakistan's economy.

I am not saying Indian democracy is great. We have lot of corrupt politicians but behind the scenes there is a stability at high end which gives it way to grow fast. I am not saying you guys follow Indian way or US way. What I am saying is that you guys should choose some form of rule and stick with it.

Look at China, they have authoritarian rule and they flourishing like nobody else. Why not be like that if most Pakistanis dont like elected leaders.

[S-2]

"Look at China, they have authoritarian rule and they flourishing like nobody else."

rajeev,

Please bear in mind that even the PRC requires the subordination of the PLA to the communist party and their civilian cadres. There's adherence to a higher authority than the military and it's institutionalized through their political officers at every level of the PLA, PLAAF, and PLAN.

[Kasrkin]

I dont know why Pakistanis are not fighting against this. How can civilian leader - a leader elected by the people of Pakistan not allowed to enter? Who runs the country - army or politicians? If this is democratic rule, what is army rule then?

Rehman Malik is not an elected representative. Selected by the president would be the more appropriate term. There is no need to get overboard with this, for all we know it could've been a genuine error on part of the military staff, as opposed to an intentional display of indifference or disrespect. The PPP government at large has been almost entirely vocally appreciative of the respect and support delegated to them by the military. Much of what General Kayani and General Pasha have stressed upon in the past would attest to the same.

[Righteous_Fire]

I dont know why Pakistanis are not fighting against this. How can civilian leader - a leader elected by the people of Pakistan not allowed to enter? Who runs the country - army or politicians? If this is democratic rule, what is army rule then?

You Noobs! , whoever said he's an elected representative of the people

Yup, thats right, the guy started out his non elected but close to the big and powerful repertoire back in the 90s with Benazir, but because of his shady and anti Pakistani behaviour and tactics, not Benazir didnt thank or promote him among her staff whenever there was time for such.

This guy has done so many things that are clearly against the interests of Pakistan, the majority of our people are just amazed how he still remains in power, even though with events like the GHQ and others, if it was a minister with a conscience, he would have resigned long ago.

But not Rehman M, WHY?

In Pakistan even to this day, (though days for such behavior are almost over), you can get to high places if you have friends in high places, viz a viz the President.

Such people are in a looooong line of continuation including the likes of Moin Qureshi, Shokat Aziz and others, that have been imposed on us to undermine our interests, But the Pakistani people have had enough, the days of such people are numbered!!!!!

[PakSher]

Army is focused on planning and who cares about Jokers like Rehman Malik. He informed the press, so he can have photo opportunities. He has covered up lot of corruption and incompetency of the Zardari Government. He needs to be removed from office.

[dk33]

He was at GHQ - I saw and heard him clarify that news story live on a Geo interview after the Lahore attacks, and chastised journalists for running with a story that could be negated with photographic evidence.

[SSGPA1]

I dont know why Pakistanis are not fighting against this. How can civilian leader - a leader elected by the people of Pakistan not allowed to enter? Who runs the country - army or politicians? If this is democratic rule, what is army rule then?

Rajeev yaar if you are still not happy with all the answers then you should take both Malik and Zardari to India so that proper respect can be showered on these two 'fine' gentlemen.

[SSGPA1]

That will be a problem and underlies a greater problem of institutional arrogance within your military which can only be overcome by your armed forces freely acceding key powers back into their rightful holders and then rendering the finest professional advice to help guide their decisions.

I hope matters begin to reverse themselves but if your public doesn't understand and be patient, then you'll continue to be guided through leadership by charisma and not the institutions and laws of the land.

It will take time but it will happen. For the first time in the history of Pakistan, our army updated the National Assembly.

US and EU achieved the present level of democracy after hundereds of yrs and trying to see Pakistan thourgh the same lense is not fair.

[arihant]

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I think Rajeev's are word taken harshly.

Who says Indians have better politics. Even though we elected they all are crape (Although, things now changing). But still he should have not be insulted such a way.