National Misfortunes (Part-3)

International experts reject the simplistic explanation that National/ military disasters are merely the product of individual incompetence or "operator error". Instead, they argue that such catastrophes are systemic; highlighting the place of National/ military misfortune at the individual, organizational, and national-political levels. While history often looks for a general to blame (e.g., General Hamilton at Gallipoli or General Gamelin in France); however, focusing solely on the individual obscures deeper systemic issues. Individuals within political and military hierarchies do not operate in a vacuum; they are constrained by cognitive biases, institutional group think, and established mental paradigms. Therefore, even competent leaders are frequently trapped, blinded, or paralyzed by the party/ organizational machinery and information flows surrounding them; routine reliance on individual brilliance is a flawed safety strategy. 

At the National-Political Level, it needs no elaboration that Political parties as well as Military organizations do not exist in a political vacuum; they are tools of national policy. The national-political level shapes the overarching environment in which military institutions function. National/ Military misfortune often stems from a disconnect between political leadership and military establishments. If civilian leaders fail to provide clear strategic direction, or if military leaders fail to communicate operational limitations to civilian authorities, systemic failure follows. National priorities, defence budgeting, societal attitudes toward war, and bureaucratic politics dictate how well a military can resource its needs, train its personnel, and maintain readiness. While operational execution belongs to the military, the ultimate establishment of realistic strategic goals rests with national-political leadership.

Misfortunes occur when incompetent, shortsighted, submissive and power hungry national leaders demand military instruments to achieve objectives that are politically or logistically unfeasible. Here I am compelled to quote a few lines from my published piece, “Living a Lie”: ‘Have we learned relevant lessons from our National Misfortunes (loss of East Pakistan being at the top) and from other natural calamities? Does our present political system ensure true public representation, or is it the continuation of a vicious cycle keeping the people deprived from the hands of the second-/third-generation of hereditary, incompetent, corrupt and unworthy rulers? Is our judicial system free and fair? Is timely & free justice available to the people? Is the economy of Pakistan in the hands of patriotic technocrats or in the hands of IMF/WB representatives, who are always worsening the economic crises and further complicating the asphyxiating debt traps? Has any Pakistani Government ever satisfactorily ensured provision of affordable food, shelter, clothing, energy, education, and health care to the common citizens of Pakistan? Is freedom of speech, freedom from oppression, freedom of movement & safe travel, safety of life, property and family/self-respect, and, more importantly, respect for people’s mandate available in the country? Have we undertaken honest retrospection of all consequential national decisions taken in the past to ensure that the present national decisions are thoroughly debated in both houses of Parliament, people taken onboard and then implemented to achieve the National Interest of Pakistan, i.e. Security and Well-being of the People of Pakistan? Surely, for the ruling and affluent elite (by hook or by crook), the response will be affirmative; whereas for the majority of the people, it is negative. That is what can be described as ‘The Core Paradox of Living a Lie’. At its heart, living a lie requires a strange split in consciousness: you must somehow know the truth in order to suppress it, while simultaneously convincing yourself the lie is real. This creates internal friction—a quiet, ongoing expenditure of psychological energy that often leaves people feeling exhausted, detached, or empty. A predicament faced by a lot of people in Pakistan!’

Ultimately, ‘National/ Military Misfortunes’ happen as an inherent risk of weak political institutions and complex over-stretched military systems. Because war is innately uncertain, military organizations will inevitably face moments where they stumble. Mitigation requires moving past the search for individual scapegoats and instead fostering organizational self-awareness, critical institutional learning, and healthy civil-military dialogue across all three levels. As for Pakistan, the National Political Level has remained the weakest link as underscored by the stated examples of failures and missed opportunities. Eight decades may be considered a short period in the life of a Nation; yet, it must not be used as an excuse to win a wrong argument.  The review of our short national history proves beyond doubt that security & economic stability is not possible without political stability; which is totally dependent on free and fair elections under free and fair judiciary. The political victimisation and curbing the political dissent and branding difference of opinion as treason is self destructive.

The domestic superficial and sycophancy ridden environs and continuation of offering blood and sweat for other countries has always proved counter-productive and catastrophic. Putting own house in order in the political, economic and security domains needs to be Pakistan’s top priority, which is not likely when the largest and most popular political party in the country is secluded & kept on the anvil along with its incarcerated leadership. Pakistan can not afford to sacrifice another ousted Prime Minister, while three have already been executed in the past. Let's put the horse before the cart to move in the right direction. Pakistan Zindabad!