For the seventh year in a row, the nation observed Pakistan Day under military rule. Pervez Musharraf showed up at the Minar-e-Pakistan dressed in muftis and spoke at what was in every sense of the term a pre-election political rally. And thereÂ’s the rub. While talking of democracy, the army continues to be sovereign.On March 18, Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Sadaat symbolically handed over the command of the PAF by giving his sword to his successor, marking the completion of his tenure. On the same day, the army chief whose tenure had run out in October 2001, showed no sign of handing over his sword to his successor. While speaking to the troops in Bahawalpur, General Musharraf promised to give them state-of-the-art weaponry so that they would acquire a qualitative edge over the non-existent external enemy.
At the Corps Headquarters, he was greeted by generals who appeared over-burdened with medals and ribbons. The corps commander pinned honorary badges on Musharraf, who had shown exceptional courage in visiting the town that had taken the life of the last army chief-turned-president. To prevent any recurrence, police and security personnel had sealed off the entire city.
This sombre military ceremony was in sharp contrast to a joyous meeting that had taken place in Lahore 66 years ago. The All India Muslim League had passed a resolution calling for the creation of a sovereign Muslim state. Seven years later, Pakistan appeared on the map. Its very name exuded the purity of IqbalÂ’s ideology. In its birth, there was not a hint that it was destined to become a garrison state.