Can Pakistan's Sizable Army Budget Help in Tackling Fuel Dilemma?
Media reports suggested last week that the Pakistan Army had canceled all military drills until the end of this year in order to conserve fuel and lubricants as the country is facing a severe economic crisis. Sputnik spoke with former Defense Attaché and Group Captain Khalid Mahmood to get an insight into how serious the situation is.
SputnikA report by a Eurasian-based publication has suggested that the
Pakistani Army was canceling its war games, not because of a ceasefire deal with
India or peace on its borders, but rather due to a
lack of necessary fuel.
Is the situation actually that serious or is the report somewhat exaggerated? According to a former Pakistani diplomat Khalid Mahmood, the reality on the ground for Islamabad’s military is not as abysmal as it is being portrayed.
"I don't think the situation is that terrible because the army has a very large budget, however, the economic crunch does warrant strict austerity measures, which would also include restriction on movement and activities by the troops if it could be avoided," Mahmood told Sputnik.
The diplomat explained that the
army's operational needs cannot be ignored at any cost and that adequate reserves of equipment and other stores are maintained at all times.
Just last year, the army announced a 'dry day' every Friday, which meant that no military vehicles would run on this day unless there is an emergency. All government vehicles were to remain parked every Friday in an effort to curb fuel spending.
These efforts by the army came at a time when the country is facing an
unprecedented economic and political crisis. After former Prime Minister
Imran Khan was removed from power in April 2022 in a no-confidence vote, the country slipped into a political crisis.
Army's Involvement in Politics
The army, which has traditionally played a vital role in Pakistan's politics, has been the country's prestige. A weaker army means a threat to Pakistan's international reputation, especially when it's involved in a border conflict with its neighbor.
Looking at whether the Pakistani army is 'losing its ground' due to economic and political instability, Mahmood explained that there was no doubt that the army had been "the center of gravity" for Pakistan's security against internal and external threats.
"The army has always played a balancing role in this regard, but in the ongoing scenario within the country the army's over-involvement in the political matters have adversely affected its reputation and standing amongst the masses," the former defense attaché said.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, top journalists and political analysts have also voiced their concerns over the army's involvement in the recent political matters, calling it undemocratic and authoritarian.
The country has had three martial laws, lasting decades, since its independence in 1947. More recently, the army has also faced wide criticism from civilians for jailing hundreds of PTI supporters and wanting to try them in the military courts following violent protests that broke out in the country after Khan was arrested in May.
According to Mahmood, it would be better for the Pakistan Army to stop getting involved in political matters.
"The sooner the army takes itself out of this situation, the better it will be for everyone as the army will then have more time and opportunity to address its own affairs more effectively," Mahmood told Sputnik.
Surge of Terror Activity
Over the last few months, Pakistan has also faced a surge in terrorism, although some analysts say that this has been played up by the pro-government media and in reality it aims to distract people from the real issue at hand: the illegal delay of provincial elections and the rule of law being misused by the acting caretaker government of PDM.
Looking at the serious implications this could have for the country, Mahmood said that any distractions that the army has from its fundamental operational role of defense will limit its ability to deal with multifarious operational situations emanating from within the country and outside.
"Situation on both our eastern and western borders and the omni-looming threat of terrorism warrants a very high level of operational preparedness on the part of the army and requires full support from the masses," Mahmood told Sputnik.
He further said that any alienation of even a small part of the civilian population and distrust toward its army can have devastating effects for the armed forces in the event of any operational emergency.
Threat of Nuclear Weapons Falling Into the Hands of Militants?
Pakistan is a nuclear state. This means that any crisis within the country raises the alarm for international observers over the safety of its nuclear weapons.
Shedding light on whether these nuclear warheads can fall into the wrong hands, Mahmood said that fortunately the security and control of nuclear assets is governed by extremely stringent procedures and measures.
"The standard operation procedures for handling nuclear assets under the overall control of National Command Authority makes it almost impossible for any unauthorized person or intruder to have access to the nuclear assets of the country, so the international community needs not to worry in this regard," the diplomat concluded.