New Delhi, Nov 27, 2017: The Pakistani Supreme Court slammed the military establishment for its involvement in commercial ventures on defense lands that were not theirs.The three-judge bench led by Gulzar Ahmed, chief justice of Pakistan (CJP), questioned Lt General (Rtd), Mian Mohammad Hilal Hussain, defence secretary. “These lands were granted to you for strategic and defense purposes, but you have begun commercial activities on them.Were cinemas, wedding halls, and housing societies built for defense purposes? The CJP asked Hussain from Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper.According to the report, the Pakistani army has opened commercial establishments on its many bases.
The CJP was not satisfied with his answer and ordered the Defence Secretary of Pakistan to tell all the chiefs, “Go and tell them that the land intended for defense purposes will not be used commercially.” Tell all military cantonments that the land will only be used for strategic purposes.
It appears that the Pakistani judiciary has decided that it is going to take on the military establishment.
It is being seen by the Pakistani military as a challenge to its establishment.This is unusual in a country where the Pakistani army has ruled for more than half of its seventy-year history.And, as the saying goes, “It’s not a nation with an Army, but an Army with a Country.” The Pakistani Army has built a huge business empire over the past seven decades, with their most profitable business being real estate, which is managed by the Defence Housing Authorities (DHAs).Eight DHAs were created in major cities.These DHAs – mostly created through ordinances and according to the Pakistan government, are running more than 50 projects in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi-Islamabad, Multan, Gujranwala, Bahawalpur, Peshawar and Quetta.
A few months ago, DHS of Lahore attempted to acquire 50 acres of land from the Lahore high Court.The Chief Justice of the High Court lamented that while he didn’t want to criticize the army, “the army seems like it has become the largest land graber in the country.” The army’s uniform is meant to serve and not be ruled as a king.Does the army make sacrifices? Are other institutions, such as judges, lawyers, and police, not willing to make sacrifices?
This is not the first instance of land grabbing by the Pakistani army.An army battalion seized 3,500 acres of land in Karachi in 2010, which also included a centuries-old cemetery.
Today, the Pakistani army establishment has more than 100 independent businesses that are operated by subsidiaries of five Foundations for the military.Fauji Foundation.Army Welfare Trust.Shaheen Foundation.Bahria Foundation.Pakistan Ordnance Factory Board Foundation.Defence Housing Authorities (DHAs).
While politicians in Pakistan are sent to prison on corruption charges, no one dares question the military establishment.
It was 1998 when Qazi Husain Ahmad, chief of the Islamic party Jamaat Islami (JI), dared Pakistan Army to say that the generals were not Corps Commandants but “Crore commanders”.
Pakistan is currently in debt and Imran Khan has been asking for funds from Saudi Arabia or China to make his “Naya Pakistan”, but the Pakistani military establishment seems to be cash-strapped.
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