Military Inc. — Ayesha Siddiqa

I am uploading Military Inc.– Inside Pakistan’s Military Economy, a book by Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa, as a public service to the people of Pakistan. I dont intend to earn any commercial gains from it. It is right of every person to find out about the real intentions of our beloved army.

Dr. Ayesha will appreciate more and more people having easy access to her publication. Though it is your moral responsibility to buy this book as soon as you can to support her cause.

You can download the pdf version of this book by clicking on the following link.

Military Inc.

 You can buy this book from amazon. The link is given below

Buy Military Inc.

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19 Comments

Filed under Army, Military Inc., Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf, Politics

19 Responses to Military Inc. — Ayesha Siddiqa

  1. daredevil92103

    i downloaded the book, and i will buy it asap. thank you and Dr. Ayesha for allowing me to learn more. i dont much about the situation over there, and i love to read. thank you again.

  2. Saeed Tiwana

    General ( Retired ) Musharraf and Major Shabbir Sharif (Shaheed) NH both are from the same PMA course. They were some 5000 officers junior to me. Shabbir Sharif’s company (B) of 6FF was attacked by the enemy in 1971 war in the Fazilka sector almost seventeen times.I wrote an attack-after-attack account in HILAL weekly.My best friend in the army, General Amir Hamza, SJ(1965) and HJ(19710 was his brigade commander. We were SARFAROSH; willing to die for our country’s defence. Musharraf is the butcher sitting outside Lahore’s old Tollington market, selling chicken. Huge orders are coming to him to slaughter his own countrymen;he dutifully supplies on time. My son had topped in Staff College and was about to be promoted a Lt-col ( probably posted in Musharraf’s Secretariat.) I ordered him to abide by his OATHS taken on commissioning and to resign. That was 6-7 years ago. Since then I do not affix the rank of Major and gallantry award (1965) of Sitara-e-Jurrat. I am ashamed. I left Pakistan. My six-month junior general Hameed Gul hinted:” Pakistan needs you “. I said. Almighty has decided to handover Pakistan to dogs.I left Pakistan. This guy is smarter than anyone I have ever known but a coward who ran away during 1965 war. He is enemy No. 1 of Pakistan.
    Now people are getting to know him.
    The generals and editors are responsible for his illegal grabbing of power in Pakistan. All the provinces are in revolt.He is probably the LIQUIDATOR OF PAKISTAN. Another traitor has joined him; she better explain how her husband earned 50 million USDs for the chinese missiles ! There are atleast a dozen people who know about it. They are lt-Generals and full generals.
    The two are planning another criminal act to prolong powere.

  3. daredevil92103

    man, the situation sounds bad over there. still haven’t got to read the pdf yet. what about the area where the U.S. says bin laden is hiding out? i talked to a guy who said those tribal people are very big on honor, and they wouldn’t let bin laden stay there. he said that they aren’t the type to give in to money, and the U.S. shouldn’t go in there attacking. i agreed with him. i think if those tribal guys are men of honor, they would do what is right. i mean, i’m not over there, so i dont know the situation, but i will trust men of honor.

  4. Saeed Tiwana

    When a youngman enters the Military Academy to be an officer , he is called GENTLEMAN CADET. Why? Because character is what differentiates a hero from a villain.
    A cadet can go upto the rank of a general, but if he is characterless, his army is doomed.
    Officers who cannot uphold their OATH of office ought to be weeded out of the army like weed.

  5. daredevil92103

    i agree with that.

  6. Saeed Tiwana

    Ayesha Siddiqa went to King’s College, London for Ph.D in war studies. I also applied for it in 1977 . Since I was in London the faculty head called me for an interview. He asked me about the ‘Thesis” I’d like to write in order to get Ph.D. I gave the subject:” CONTEMPORARY FIGHTING STYLES”. That every country has infantry, tanks, missiles, ships, at.al.
    but each country has a distinct fighting style. There is the British Fighting style, the Chinese, the American, the German, the Russian at.al.
    I wanted to put on record how each style would fight the other. How would China fight the Americans? First they would shift far away from the sea; go into mountains, concentrate forces there. They would allow the Americans to invest them, but mountains preclude heavy equipment. Then they would play defense like Von Leeb said:” Defence aims to tire out the offensive army.” Then they would select a target formation which is isolated and cannot get timely-intensification of effort; both in defending and attacking.
    Then a quick battle of annihilation would kill an entire division in a two or three day’s battle. Then the Chinese would either move away to another mountain or enemy’s supply route.
    The Head of the department took out my book ( Fundamental Rules for the organization of military victories) praised it as a major contribution in Major Tactics. He explained that they turn out civilians who can speak the ‘jargon’ of generals- to over-awe the generals by the civilian bosses .
    I predicted that Soviet Russia was about to attack Afghanistan. They’d declare that they have come to uplift that country out of dark ages; give it roads, progress and education.
    I predicted that they would be playing in the hands of the Afghans; that Afghans would fight for two or ten years and shake down Soviet Union into many countries.
    Ayesha Siddiqua does not know where Pakistan Army is weak. She thinks it is weak because of business-ing. I don’t think so.
    They are weak because three serious military diseases have gotten hold of it. First, Military-Equalitarianism, equal density deployment of the army on all fronts.It makes the army weak everywhere;strong nowhere.
    It violates the vital military principle of CONCENTRATION OF FORCES and they adopt DISSIPATION OF FORCES as a deployment policy. Second disease, Sectorisation policy, which atonce changes the war effort from a general’s war to a section commander’s war. The general is sitting hundreds of miles away, like a lady telephone operator and no more. The general is defeated as soon as his sections collapse somewhere.
    Thirdly, a weak army has a better chance to drag a stronger army to dust by adopting defence in interior-lines. That forces the stronger to invest and dissipate its forces; but that allows the weak the flexibility to attack wherever the strong is weak and isolated.
    In 1971 Pakistan Army, some 15 rag-tag brigades, were facing three Indian Corps of 10 divisions plus one artillery division.
    GHQ Rawalpindi commissioned me to go to East-Pakistan and save the war.
    As I sat on the plane to fly to Dacca via Ceylon, war started in West-Pakistan too.
    Then GHQ sent me to Fazilka sector where my best friend was the Independent Commander. How Indians were whipped there must be read from Indian general Sukhwant Singh’s book “INDIA’S WARS SINCE INDEPENDENCE”. He allocates a special chapter on our Fazilka sector.

    In two wars my conytribution was capturing 85 POWS with full weapons and 450 POWS with full weapons. After they were brought in our sector, I ordered officers mess to make their breakfasts. Two Indian officers, Capt.Suria & Chaudhry remarked:” I would have been kicking in your stomach; rather than feed sandwiches and coffee!”
    I said.” That is exactly the difference between us.You are my guests now. You can keep your ‘kukris’(knife) lest your men attack you.
    I would die for an american youth as easily as I would for mine.

  7. daredevil92103

    you are honorable. i was supposed to become a navy SEAL, but i didn’t want to have anything to do with the military. very few men of honor. for someone like you, people would fight. you are the kind of person that leads by example, i would bet. probably also a person who would be right there, with the men, doing what you asked of them with them. a rare person. i admire you. i too would die to protect a non-american youth. the media in this country, i think it is trying to make people believe anyone from areas near the middle east are terrorists. it saddens me, because it is a technique that hitler used. trying to make a group of people non-human. in my opinion, there is no greater glory than to die saving the life of another. i know i’m kind of rambling, sorry. i just want to let you know, even though i haven’t met you in person, i amire you.

  8. silent ghost

    mr saeed tiwana…u r a classic example of an egoistic, self centered and hungry for praise psycho!…had u been able to do anything…u sure cud have raised in rank!…u couldnt see ur son prospering so u became the biggest hurdle in his rising career!…bravo!…u were sent to save the war u say!..u did the same!…am i right?..hahaha!…get real!…and to top it all!…no matter how bad the atmosphere at ur home, u dont go around publicising it at the mall….so keep ur comments to urself. treacherous u will only be, if u talk about an institution which gave u identity!…face it, u were nothin without the army in the first place!…so stop criticizing it!…u r like a child biting the hand that feeds it!…i pity u!…God have mercy on u!

  9. Syed Ali

    Mr Saeed ,
    I understood what you said or write, but you pretented that you were not a butcher.

    The one who is in the miliry of Pakistan they are the great gang rapest of pakistan including you.

    You think you blaim the Mushi and you will be out of that shit no all of the senior officer they all in the same shit as Mushi ,Ayub and Zia ,without you guys they wouldn’t be able to get in to the power.

    One of bigest butcher was Ayub his son thought that time he’s feudal lord. What you did give me the one example.

  10. haider karim

    tiwana sahib,,khush rahoo,,apnay aap ko nanga karnay ka,,,our apni army ko badnam karnay kaa,,,,sahih jaga dhundee haii,,u call ur self sarfarosh,,,,,ahhhh,,,,,i beleive ur not a strategist,,,nor a tactiction,,,,just a mere inventor of gud conspiracy theories and a sick mind,,,pakistan army has done the biggest mistake to give u sitara_jurrat…….Just know that musharraf was in artillary,,,and it was the artillary that saved pakistan…….thooda sa os rizq ka kiyal rakho,,,jo pakistan army main tum haram kartay rahay hoo

  11. haider karim

    silent ghost,,,u have really spoken mi heart and mind,,,i absoloutely support you,,,i have been keenly reading the articles od this psycho,,self styled tiwana ,,once saddam hussain attacked kuwait,,,and the way this man had been supporting saddam and his baseless attack on kuwait,,,,,he has bben terming that pscho person as the hero of islam,,,,just see now wat has happened with iraq,,,,,it was all the fallout that followed after first gulf war,,,and i know for sure,,that this tiwana has been getting all kind of support of sadam and his secret agency,,,,,,,for which he remained his personal friend,,,i think i should finish here,,,it would not be justified if i disclose too much secrets about mr tiwana,,,

  12. Mashhood

    listen Mr. Tiwna sahib.. i DONT CARE who DR. Ayesha Siddiqa is. She is a shame to herself and this country. Mr. our army is the most organised, disciplined institution in Pakistan.. and these are the men who r still guarding our walls and who stand awake and say to people like you that” Nothing is going to hurt you while im standing here. nothing is goinng to hurt you on my watch” and you guys VERY EASILY say that our army has no capability.. if someone like Musharraf is not good it doesent mean that our army is bad.Soldiers follow there superiors because they have sworn to do it.it is very easy for us to sit back and critisize.i suggest why dont you guys watch the borders for a while with sub freezing temperatures and sleep in Igloos Instead of ur Centrely Heated Houses. so GET IT RIGHT MR>>

  13. pakalert

    http://pakalert.wordpress.com/2008/10/24/ayesha-siddiqa-military-inc/

    Dr Ayesha Siddiqa’s ‘The Military Inc.’ is a book deflective of reality, highly derogatory and against the very notion of sovereignty.

    Dr Ayesha Siddiqa launches the book by giving the impression that her intention is to cover the entrepreneurial activities of military worldwide. However, in depth reading reaffirms suspicions that her book massively targets the Pakistan Military and the top echelons of the Armed Forces, most of which are based upon self serving assumptions and intentional hoodwinking. A labyrinth of financial figures is presented to further obscure the ordinary reader’s intelligence.

    The book sets forward four arguments. First, that MILBUS (Military Business) is military capital that perpetuates the military’s political predatory style; and is kept concealed and includes questionable transfer of resources from public sector to individuals connected with armed Forces. Second, the military’s economic greed increases in totalitarian systems. Third, Military convinces the citizens to bear additional costs for security on basis of conceived threats to the State. Fourth, the book considers the Pakistan Military the cause of all ills, social disparity and democratic fiasco.

    Let’s start by setting the record straight. MILBUS in Pakistan – is the result of honest intentions and visionary policies – to raise independent resources, to self-finance the on-going national technological development, to modernize strategic assets, and most importantly, the determination to rely less on Foreign Aid. While at the same time, build facilities for retired military personnel and their families; and slowly withdrawing from National Defense budget allocation as a percentage of GDP.

    MILBUS also exists in well developed countries like the USA, UK, France, China, Israel or even Turkey. The Milbus or the PMEs (Private Military Enterprises) are generally known as the Private Military Industry. Famous US PMEs include Halliburton, Black-water worldwide, Defensecurity, Titan Corporations, Kellogg Brown & Root, Air Scan, DynCorp’s, CACI International, etc. Famous UK PMEs include Black-Op’s and Aegis Defense Services. Most of these are active beneficiaries of the Iraq War. The worldwide PME industry is now worth over $100 billion a year. Thus, this is not just a Pakistan specific industry.

    MILBUS in Pakistan is being criticized unnecessarily, with the sole intention to malign the Armed Forces. The Pakistan military has never intended to deliberately conceal their economic activities and they do not cause injustice by weighing heavily on civilian corporate sector or individual leaders.

    The book ‘Military Inc’ is based upon a series of presumptions and false accusations. Throughout her book, the author obstinately insists that the growth of Military economy is the case of self interest and predatory acquisition by senior officers, in which it allow the Generals to seek benefit for themselves and their clients.

    The author fails to provide, any concrete evidence that could confirm her allegations, that questionable transfer of wealth is made to individuals connected with armed forces. All she could give in example were the 500 sq yard official plots given to the Generals at the end of their service, as part of their benefits, and hence her assumption that a retired general is worth from Rs.150 million to Rs.400 million.

    Rarely do critics mention, that nominal deduction from the pay of all military officers are made during their service, in return for a small apartment or a small housing, which is handed over at the time of their retirement. However, this facility is still not available to all retiring servicemen.

    Next, the book alleges that the military’s economic greed increases in totalitarian systems, where the general public, private businessmen, civilian corporate sector and national business units are all oppressed to encourage and endorse military business units. Her book focuses largely on the four welfare projects managed by the Pakistan Military i.e. The Fauji Foundation (FF), the Army Welfare Trust (AWT), Shaheen Foundation (SF) and Bahria Foundation (BF), and in some places the Frontier Works Organization (FWO).

    The author believes that “the profit earned by military is directly proportional to power and gives the armed forces a sense of being independent of the incompetent civilians” – which can only be considered as an extremely reckless comment.

    There was great wisdom behind establishing these welfare projects. The visionary minds knew that “the profit earned by the military will be directly proportional to Sovereignty of the Country and the Institution”.

    The Military established its first welfare foundation in 1954, with funds received from the British as part of Pakistan’s share of the Post War Services Reconstruction Fund. In India, those funds were distributed immediately amongst those who fought the Second World War. Unlike India, Pakistan’s wise military opted to use those funds to establish projects that would ensure the overall well-being, availability of jobs, and a decent pension for their armed forces.

    The initial purpose of these welfare projects was to create employment opportunities for the honorable retired or disabled military personnel. Servicemen – whose only obligation is defending the borders of Pakistan.

    This one wise decision, not only raised the morals of the serving military men, but also gave the ordinary citizens a reason to join the Armed Forces of Pakistan and serve their country. Assured that their future is protected, the servicemen live their lives in testing times on borders, remote locations and a life away from family.

    The Fauji Foundation, Shaheen Foundation and Bahria Foundation were all established under the Charitable Endowments Act 1890. The Army Welfare Trust was established under the Societies Registration Act 1860.

    Then all these entities are registered Tax-paying Companies. The Army Welfare Trust and the Fauji Foundation pays tax at 20% of their profits. Shaheen Foundation and Bahria Foundation pay Taxes at 30% of their profits. Fair enough!

    This limited industrial base that evolved over years added to the military’s credibility and resolves to contribute towards the Nation’s socio-economic development and Pakistan’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Like any ordinary successful businessmen or multi-national corporations (MNCs), the Pakistan Military utilized their available structure, nominal budget and dedicated their human resources for the welfare of the uniformed men and civilians working in those companies. While also pioneering technology, developing expertise and establishing quality control.

    The book ‘Military Inc’ accuses the Pakistan Armed forces of running business (MILBUS) that are diverse in nature, ranging from small scale to large scale corporate enterprises. As examples, it quotes Schools, Banks, Insurance Company, Radio and TV, a Fertilizer company, Hospitals and Clinics, Cement plant, Universities and institutes, etc.

    Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa left no opportunity to magnify and exaggerate the limited and partial presence of MILBUS competing in Pakistan’s broad based expanding economy.

    Let’s analyze the limited magnitude and negligible worth of these Military run ventures, compared to similar mega business entities currently present in Pakistan.

    According to State Bank of Pakistan, there are total 73 Banks in Pakistan. From which, there are 24 Limited banks, 11 Foreign Banks, 8 Financial Banks, 4 Specialized Banks, 13 Investment Banks, 7 Micro-finance Banks and 6 Islamic banks. Out of these total 73 banks – Dr Ayesha Siddiqa tends to be intolerable towards ONE ‘Askari Bank’ run by Military? In 2007, Askari Bank paid a Tax of Rs. 743 million.

    According to Federal Bureau of Statistics, there are 24 Cement plants in Pakistan, and only ONE owned by ‘Fauji Cement Company Ltd’. A Tax-paying company listed on the Stock Exchange.

    According to State Bank of Pakistan, there are total 59 Insurance companies in Pakistan. There are 4 in the Public sector, 50 companies in the private sector and 5 are incorporated abroad. Why should anyone be narrow-minded towards ONE owned by military – ‘Askari General Insurance Ltd’, which is listed on the Stock Exchange and pays Tax?

    According to the Health Division and the P.M.D.C, there are around 924 Hospitals, 12,726 Medical Institutions, 560 Rural Health Centers and 4712 Dispensaries all over Pakistan. Out of these, if 10 Hospitals and 20 Medical Centers are being run by Fauji Foundation, what’s the hue & cry about? These Medical services are offered to the military and civilians alike. Even the prestigious Aga Khan Health Services (AGHS) own 7 Hospitals and 164 Medical Centers.

    According to State Bank Pakistan, there are above 10 Fertilizer Plants in Pakistan from which 6 are State owned and the rest are private. Out of these, only ONE is military owned, the ‘Fauji Fertilizer Company Ltd’, which is listed on the Stock Exchange and audited by KPMG Taseer Hadi & Co, and pays Tax annually.

    According to Higher Education Commission, there are 122 Universities in Pakistan. Out of which, 65 are in the Public sector and 57 in the private sector. Foundation University and Bahria University are the only two affiliated with Armed Forces providing quality education to all citizens alike.

    Foundation Schools have 90 branches all over Pakistan; compared to the City School which has more than 150 branches and the Beacon-house School which has around 130 branches. We as a Nation should triumph the quality education being promoted by the Foundation schools and the model paradigm implemented.

    The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has 50,125 companies registered with it. From these only 9 are MILBUS projects. Why can’t Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa accept these 9 MILBUS projects out of the 50,125 projects broadmindedly?

    The author also alleges that Military’s Internal Economy is hampering the growth of Pakistan’s free market economy – which of course is not true. For her information, under this same system and era, and under the leadership of General Musharraf, Pakistan’s free market economy boomed from $75 billion in 1999 to become $160 billion in 2007.

    In the last 6 years, the free market economy of Pakistan expanded by $85 billion. The expansion and growth the Civilian Corporate sector, National Business Units and Multi-National Corporations witnessed in these last 6 years remain unprecedented in Pakistan’s Economic History. Hence proven, that Military’s Internal Economy did not hamper Pakistan’s free market economy!

    According to Dr Ayesha Siddiqa’s book, the worth of Fauji Foundation is $169m, the worth of Army Welfare trust is $862m, the worth of Shaheen Foundation is $34.4m and the worth of Bahria Foundation is $69m. Total worth of MILBUS entities in Pakistan arise to ONLY $1.135 billion.

    Hence, the presence of MILBUS companies, in Pakistan’s free economy of $160 billion, amongst these other sectors and enterprises arises to a negligible maximum 0.8%.

    The Karachi Stock Exchange (KSE) Market Capitalization in January 2008 stood at $75 billion. MILBUS worth as compared to KSE again arises to only 1.5%.

    It’s amusing to note that Dr Ayesha Siddiqa wrote a whole book, to malign a system (MILBUS) whose worth does not exceed 0.8% of Pakistan’s free market economy.

    Dr Ayesha Siddiqa’s desire to portray the Pakistan Military as a coercive and self serving breed aiming to consolidate their economic power at the expense of Pakistan, not only erodes her neutrality into bias, but the above economic comparisons also contradict all her presumptuous and sham claims. As MILBUS in Pakistan has been competing fairly in free market and contributing to today’s knowledge-based economy. It has played an active role to generate revenue for Pakistan and in contributing to overall GDP.

    One of the greatest wisdom foreseen, behind establishing MILBUS was to liberate the Pakistan Armed Forces of international aid assistance and interference. Classified financial autonomy gives the Armed Forces a sense of self-respect and confidence of being independent of the dominating ‘International Coalition of the willing’ and their foreign aid.

    The Pakistan Army has received a total of around $17 billion from the United States for arms, equipment and compensation since 1954, the year the United States entered into defense pacts with Pakistan. Much of it was uselessly spend during the 1980’s Afghan war and the wars Pakistan fought with India. After 9/11, the famous foreign assistance of $10 billion comprises 60% reimbursement costs for expenditure incurred by the Pakistani Military while patrolling on PAK-Afghan border, recorded in the ‘Coalition Support Funds’. These worthless assistances have not helped the Pakistan Army contrary to perception propagated in media reports.

    Because, with these insignificant and worthless assistance, follows a series of humiliating articles and editorials composed in American print media. The clueless and prejudice Pakistani media ignorantly picks up the chanting and further plays an important role in distorting and altering the actual facts and figures. No relevant person is approached to clarify and set facts straight. Authors like Dr Ayesha Siddiqa bank on such distortion to further slander the admirable Pakistan Military.

    After year 2000, the $85 billion expansion of Pakistan’s economy, decreased the ratio of US aid & assistance to Pakistan’s economy by around 100%. Now the U.S aid & assistance account to only 6.25% of Pakistan’s expanding economy. Pakistan is successfully wriggling out of foreign influence. Visionary MILBUS was the right step in the right direction at the right time!

    Pakistan Military requires a proper platform utilized to clear the misperceptions being propagated against them and counter the sham allegations. In short, Pakistan military lacks the exposure to enhance their PR with the Public. Pakistani GHQ and ISPR should take up an active role similar to Pentagon and make their interactions more effective.

    Next, the book ‘Military Inc’ considers Pakistan Military the root cause of social disparity and democratic fiasco. It alleges that socio-political fragmentation would result in strengthening the army’s control over politics. Throughout her book, Dr Ayesha Siddiqa lambasts and scoffs at the concept of MILBUS accusing the military of building assets and calling them as the ‘new land barons’.

    In her desperation to smear the Army, she even fails to condemn the corruption practiced and coercive measures exercised by the inept political leaders. How these redundant leaders influence the bureaucracy, alter the constitution, plunder national institutions, stagnated the trade & exports, multiplied the foreign debts for the country, rob the country of the foreign reserves and accumulate their wealth in developed countries – is all together ignored by her conveniently.

    The truth is that the Armed forces are forced to intervene reluctantly and take control of the state to save it from the irresponsible and hopeless politicians, who drag the country towards brink of collapse, every time they come to power.

    In short, Pakistan’s external debt rose from $18 billion in 1988 to become $38 billion by end of 1999. In 1999, Pakistan’s total debt (internal & external) was almost 90% of its GDP. External debt in ratio to foreign exchange earnings were 347%. Debt servicing allocated in 1999 budget was 61% of total revenue resources. According to the World Bank, in 1999-2000 Pakistan was amongst the highly indebted countries.

    Despite the above mentioned debacle for Pakistan – the substantial expansion in the personal wealth, land and business interests of Mr. Zardari and Mr. Nawaz Sharif has earned them a place in the ‘Top 5 richest people’ of Pakistan in 2007. Not a single General or military servicemen made it to the list of ‘Top 40 Richest Pakistani’. Who should we consider a peril to Pakistan’s existence – these fraudulent politicians or the reserved military?

    The Raiwind complex of Nawaz Sharif, build on an area of around 2000 acre, consist of palatial residences, 300 acre farm, 500 bed hospital, a school, 200 acre dairy farm, etc – constructed at a cost of above Rs. 800 million. He personally owns Ittefaq foundries, three Sugar mills, numerous Textile mills, Steel Mills, Paper Mills, Spinning mills, Engineering companies, and numerous other business units. He owns several residential properties in Lahore and Muree. He owns vast acres of lands in Sheikhapura, Chunian, Raiwind, Multan and Bhopattian. These feudal turned politicians can easily be labeled as the ‘old Pakistani barons’.

    Dr Ayesha Siddiqa also alleges that the military convinces the citizens to bear additional costs for security on basis of conceived threats to the State. She wants the public to believe that their taxes are being exploited at the expense of the notion ‘National Security’. This statement of hers is an attempt to ignore and snub the volatile situation Pakistan faces at its borders.

    She also remains oblivious to the fact, that India allocates 5 times that of Pakistan’s defense spending.

    However, under President Musharraf, the military spending DECREASED as percentage of GDP and National budget. It now stands at 3% of GDP and 15% of National budget. It strikes out though, how Dr Ayesha Siddiqa veils and ignores the bulk of the National budget of 85% that lies at the disposal of the manipulative hands of our shady politicians. The public has the right to know, what proper utilization has been brought about with that unaccountable 85% in the 1990’s?

    This derogatory book ‘Military Inc’ intends to sow seeds of disenchantment amongst the general public against the modest and patriotic institution of the Armed forces of Pakistan, and lower its grace. Those Armed Forces of Pakistan that run to protect and deliver relief, to ordinary Pakistanis in times of calamities, natural disasters, floods, train accidents, and earthquakes. Does Pakistan have any other force or institution which is as disciplined and effective in providing speedy help immediately? Shouldn’t we strengthen this only institution that we have?

    The publication of Dr Ayesha Siddiqa’s own book ‘Military Inc’ in 2007, in President Musharraf’s era, repudiates her claims to term the military rule as manipulative and suppressive. It’s evident that no subtle or coercive measures were taken against her or any arm-twisting to curb the publication of this highly controversial book! Where would she find such boundless and gracious freedom? The book ‘Military Inc’ has become a checker of the chessboard being maneuvered by the unknown and ambiguous foreign powers interested in Balkanization of Pakistan.

    The ultimate objective of the book ‘Military Inc’ is to perpetrate friction and cause dissent amongst the ranks of the disciplined Armed Forces. By deliberately triggering upheaval within the lower ranks, the intention appears to encourage internal revolt. As a consequence, the unity, discipline and allegiance of the Armed Forces of Pakistan can be destroyed.

    Thus, to protect the allegiance of the Armed Forces, the whole concept of visionary MILBUS is justified, as a set of activities for the development of Pakistan’s military might, meant to counter the rising regional threat convergence and decreasing dependence upon foreign aid – ultimately protecting the sovereignty of Pakistan and its savior Armed Forces!

    Glory and Triumph to Pakistan Armed Forces!

    Afreen Baig is an independent analyst majoring in International Relations and Economics. She can be reached at afreenbaig@gmail.com

  14. haider karim

    tnxxxxxxxxx afreen for ur eye opening analysis,,,,i wish you should also publish a book….i assure you,,,that will clear the doubts of so many,,,and most important at least black sheeps like ayshia would have some shame,,,though she is shameless,,,,,God be with you

  15. It is now recognized that without Chinese military’s crucial role, it would have been very difficult for the Chinese to build the modern industrial base and attract massive foreign direct investments to become the factory of the world. It is also clear that, as a powerful and stable institution, Pakistani military can and should take inspiration from the PLA to play a much bigger role in Pakistan’s economic development and rapid industrialization to help increase the nation’s prosperity and lift millions out of poverty, as China’s PLA has done.

    Pakistan’s military should take a leaf from the Chinese PLA playbook. It should do what is necessary to strengthen the nation’s industry, economy and national security, regardless of any critics, including Ayesha Siddiqa Agha and her myriad fans. This is the best way forward to a well-educated, industrialized, prosperous and democratic Pakistan in the future.

    http://www.riazhaq.com/2009/06/militarys-role-in-p akistans-industrial.html

  16. ghazanfar

    ilove army and farhan also cannt live without him my love farhan jiggarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

  17. ghazanfar

    miss u jaNIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

  18. Aamir

    here ‘s a praise for army from its former commander east pakistan, When Amir mir (journalist) questioned him:
    What do you say about the commission’s findings that your troops in East Pakistan indulged in loot, arson, rape and killings?

    he replied;

    Immediately after taking command in East Pakistan, I heard numerous reports of troops indulging in loot and arson, killing people at random and without reason in areas cleared of anti-state elements. Realizing the gravity of the situation, I approached my bosses through a letter dated April 15, 1971, informing them of the mess being created. I clearly wrote in my letter that there have been reports of rapes and even the West Pakistanis are not being spared. I informed my seniors that even officers have been suspected of indulging in this shameful activity.

    However, despite repeated warnings and instructions, the respective commanders failed to curb this alarming state of indiscipline. And this trend definitely undermined our troops’ battle efficiency.
    (http://www.rediff.com/news/2004/feb/02inter1.htm)
    SHAME

  19. Mustafa

    @ Silent Ghost, Haider Karim, Mashood

    Please stop using self praising. They way you talk shows that you don’t have any relation with Army in even your ancestors.
    Second thing, they Musharaf, Who did 5 brutal mistakes, and top of the all was damaging the pride of Nation and Army as well.

    I still remember how Ayub use to be called … i have seen that army dont recall those words, let me recall you them , it was ” Ayub Kuta hay hay ”

    this talk may lead to nothing, if u wont recall the lessons you were taught. and lessons is, Pakistan 1st. not Musharaf 1st. what he did to A.Q, Sawat, Lal masjid……..and really i dont want to recall that what i listened about the people of Pakistan when i was with him ..

    And by the constitution of Pakistan. Pakistan Army is to server the nation, Not to rule !
    so take your guns, and go on your duties.

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