A Punjabi Dominated Coup Bid

The Pakistan army was once again in the eye of the storm. Or so it seemed from distant New Delhi. Since Pakistan-watching is a big industry here, lust as India-watching is in Pakistan, the developments in Islamabad evoked great interest. Anything that happens in the Pakistan army creates a stir in the region, especially because of its habit of sacking prime ministers and seizing power. It has been the dominant and the most organised institution in a country and is still trying to get used to a democratic polity, an Islamic democracy at that.

It is believed that a majority of those who were involved in this coup were Punjabis. Punjab and the Punjabis are a dominant force in this Islamic country. Since the days of Zia-ul Haq, when he launched his Islamisation drive, large sections of the Pakistan any have been Influenced by his philosophy. Former ISI chief, Lt-Gen Hamid Gul, who openly says that he is prepared to send his son to wage jehad in Kashmir, is perhaps the most articulate face of this school of thought.

According to information available here, the coup plot was uncovered towards the end of August and early September. Apparently consultations between the civilian and military authorities took about three weeks, before it was decided to arrest the plotters. Why did it take three weeks to decide this issue? It is believed that the Americans, who have an extensive Intelligence network In Pakistan and have worked closely with its army and intelligence agencies, were in on the whole thing and could have pressured Pakistan to take action against those involved. Having recently given a one time waiver to the Pressler amendment, the increased leverage and the obvious fed of the army being assuaged, would have helped the US to pressure Pakistan to arrest the officers.

Though only 40 officers were arrested, It can be safely surmised that they would have many sympathisers In the army, especially among the lower ranking officers. It needs to be seen if there is a backlash. Domestically, while the development is an unhappy one, for Benazir Bhutto, the timing of the revelation of the coup attempt, deliberate or otherwise, was a boon. She was about to go for the NAM summit in Colombia, followed by the UN summit.

The officers also wanted a more aggressive involvement in Kashmir, according to reports in the Pakistani press. Clearly they had connections with the fundamentalist parties which have been deeply Involved in the Kashmir Insurgency. Not surprising therefore that the religious parties, for whom Benazir Bhutto's Islamic credentials have always been somewhat suspect, especially because of her pro-American positions, have reacted with hostility to the arrests. Every time there is a crisis in Pakistan, politicians have had no compunctions in wanting the army to takeover. Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), headed by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, the implacable foe of Benazir Bhutto, can't possibly be happy at the turn of events. His party, now trying to mend fences with the army, has only said the arrests were the army's internal matter. But it has not openly condemned the plot.