Monkey Business

[third eye]

Monkey Business

Should a professional military conduct business activities absent civilian oversight?

Should it be allowed to own or control large pieces of land courtesy of a colonial legacy and to change lease agreements at will without any regard for the resulting consequences on the lives of poor, defenseless workers?

Should it take on the role of a full-time real estate player and develop housing schemes for the rich?

Should it run a parallel economy and operate in a protective bubble while the rest experience severe economic hardships? Should horse-breeding and agricultural enterprise become so important to its interests that it feels compelled to fire upon citizens it is under oath to protect? If not, then why does it happen in Pakistan? And when will it ever stop?

The story coming out of Okara involving local farmers and the Pakistan Army and Rangers is a good example to illustrate the inequitable nature of relations between state-institutions and the common people. The Anjuman-e-Mazaraeen Pakistan (AMP) has been protesting against the change in their status from occupancy tenants to simple contract holders.

They used to dream of one day owning the land they have been working on for generations. Forget ownership, now they are struggling to keep their little share of profits. On July 3rd, two farmers were shot dead and a few others taken into custody when they refused to resume the irrigation supply they had blocked in protest.

The powers enjoyed by institutions in the name of the protection of citizens is often used against them. Instead of relying on performance and respect, fear is used as the ultimate tool. This oppression of people is rampant across the scale and the military is no exception to the rule.

What do Okara Military Farms (OMF) have to do with the country’s security or defense mechanism? ? Is it a site for a sensitive secret project for which a few nagging peasants can be booted out and killed, and then forgotten? How much money is made from this capitalist venture and many others like it managed by the military? How is that money spent?

For golf courses or families of the martyrs? For buying new guns or loyalties? Does patriotism demand complete silence in the face of unjustified aggression and highhandedness?

Who will address the grievances of the Anjuman-e-Mazaraeen Pakistan (AMP)? Nawaz Sharif? Shahbaz Sharif? Raheel Sharif? Is the civilian leadership even capable, let alone willing, of bringing powerful institutions under the ambit of the law?

A lot is said about how Pakistan inherited a strong military and bureaucracy and how these two ensure that the country keeps moving. Perhaps its time we start looking to just where their strength comes from and how it’s used. We know of empires and machines built and run on the bones and blood of the weak.

Just because they’re strong, just because we hail them as an institution that “functions,” doesn’t mean they’re doing it right.

Your Views :

@Icarus , @ faujihistorian, @WebMaster , @fatman17 and anyone else with a service background

 

[FaujHistorian]

Ours is a martial country. Military will always capture people's imgaination.

Little boys grow up to be miltiary soldier or officer.

So the military will be prominent in every aspect.

The author took an issue with contract farmers working on military lands and turned into something much more vicious.

I wish such issues were solved more amicably.

But that doesn't mean we need to drag miltiary through mud.

Even in USA most of the very large defense firms are dominated (owned and run) by military officers mostly retired.

No need to create a mountain out of molehill.


Thank you.

 

[third eye]

Ours is a martial country. Military will always capture people's imgaination.

Martial Country ?

Thats an interesting way to term a nation.

 

[FaujHistorian]

Martial Country ?

Thats an interesting way to term a nation.

no big deal. When very large sections of people hold army/police service as their ideal job for decades after decades.

Hope you understand.

 

[third eye]

no big deal. When very large sections of people hold army/police service as their ideal job for decades after decades.

Hope you understand.

I understand perfectly well - come from a family with the fourth Generation now in the Army / AF.

Yet , personally I would not like my nation to be ' Martial' but firm & progressive which would mean more openness amongst all wings and transparency.

 

[FaujHistorian]

I understand perfectly well - come from a family with the fourth Generation now in the Army / AF.

Yet , personally I would not like my nation to be ' Martial' but firm & progressive which would mean more openness amongst all wings and transparency.

Please come visit. You will feel at home among martial families.

Now for nation?
You get a nation with certain strengths (just like individuals)

It is upto educated elite to use those strengths for the betterment of the nation.

What you say should be part of every nation, martial or not.

Thank you.

 

[OrionHunter]

Monkey Business

Should a professional military conduct business activities absent civilian oversight?

Should it be allowed to own or control large pieces of land courtesy of a colonial legacy and to change lease agreements at will without any regard for the resulting consequences on the lives of poor, defenseless workers?

Should it take on the role of a full-time real estate player and develop housing schemes for the rich?

Should it run a parallel economy and operate in a protective bubble while the rest experience severe economic hardships? Should horse-breeding and agricultural enterprise become so important to its interests that it feels compelled to fire upon citizens it is under oath to protect? If not, then why does it happen in Pakistan? And when will it ever stop?

Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa’s book Military Inc — Inside Pakistan’s Military Economy provides an insight into the powerful, vast and expansive empire that the Pakistani Military has set up in Pakistan over the past six decades. Not surprisingly, the book, published in June 2007 is banned in Pakistan.

The book estimates the military’s share of the economy at over 20 billion dollars, (2007) besides owning 11.58 million acres of land.

What has happened in Pakistan is that any sector which could be monopolized, has been taken hold of by the military. The military is entrenched in the corporate sector. The list of industries where military or ex-military personnel are in charge include steel mills, sugar factories, cement factories, fertilizer factories, cereal factories, banks, logistics companies, construction companies, utilities, even universities and other higher education institutions.

Today the Pakistan military’s internal economy is extensive, and has turned the armed forces into one of the dominant economic players. The most noticeable and popular component of military business relates to the business ventures of the four welfare foundations: the Fauji Foundation (FF), Army Welfare Trust (AWT), Shaheen Foundation (SF) and Bahria Foundation (BF). These foundations are subsidiaries of the defense establishment.

What is interesting is that retired and serving officers run secretive industrial conglomerates, manufacture everything from cement to cornflakes, and own 12m acres of public land, says Dr Ayesha Siddiqa.

Of the 96 businesses run by the four largest foundations, only nine file public accounts. The generals spurn demands by parliament to account for public monies they spend.

According to the book, the biggest and the most visible perk is the rural and urban land given out to serving and retired officers. They also get subsidies and other benefits to develop the land. A major-general can expect to receive on retirement a present of 240 acres of prime farmland, worth on average 1.1 million dollars as well an urban real estate plot valued at 1.4 million dollars. The Pakistan military, as a single group, owns more land than any other institution or group, amounting to about 12 per cent of total state land. And unlike other state institutions, the military can convert this land for private usage.

Good for the Generals but bad for the ordinary citizen of Pakistan. As the saying goes, "Every Country has an Army, but Pakistan Army has a country"!

P.S. I have quoted from Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa’s book, Military Inc — Inside Pakistan’s Military Economy. So please don't train your guns on me. Troll her instead!!

 

[third eye]

A major-general can expect to receive on retirement a present of 240 acres of prime farmland,

Seems unbelievable !

 

[OrionHunter]

Seems unbelievable !

Right! I couldn't believe it myself!!

 

[notorious_eagle]

A major-general can expect to receive on retirement a present of 240 acres of prime farmland, worth on average 1.1 million dollars as well an urban real estate plot valued at 1.4 million dollars.

Bull Sh**. My Uncle(Dad's older brother) retired as a 2 star in 2010, all he received was a house and a plot. My best friend's Dad retired in 2008 as a 3 star, he received the same perks as my Uncle except their house was 2 canals. Also, these perks weren't free. They paid for these perks throughout their Career, a certain portion of your salary is deducted from every paycheque to pay for these perks. Ayesha Siddiqa's book has been discredited here on this forum many times, its full of errors. Feel free to search through the history of PDF.

When the Civil Institutions fail to provide the basic necessities for the Armed Forces, they have no choice but to engage in these activities themselves. These business enterprises are run by retired Army Officers and not serving ones. These enterprises are the biggest taxpayers in the country, they are by no means a burden on the economy.

 

[SQ8]

The truth always lies in the middle. There is a lot of "capturing" of land by the military which is then used for real estate wheeling and dealings. The many businesses opened up(much like Turkey) to help finance the military's needs and lifestyle. Eventually these "private" foundations grew well(being favoured over others via manipulation of competition). The military also has its fair share of corruption, but then again that is common across the subcontinent. What is not common is the military's grasp over the reins of power which till recently it has been reluctant to let go. Not because of India or any other external force, but because a certain lifestyle and associated perks may be brought under question if the civilian leadership is given too much power.
Thankfully for the military, the civilian leadership in Pakistan has yet to throw up an intellect that has to match that of the military(which is really a very average benchmark as such). Without an intellectual leadership that can overpower that of the Generals and deep state, the establishment has a free hand still in manipulating business standards to its gain.

There is always the opposing story which is important to look at as well to get an idea of whats the real story:
Xeric's Primer: Fauji/Bahria/Shaheen Foundation

 

[Jango]

Seems unbelievable !

Lagta hai mere rishtedar kisi aur fauj main naukri kar rahay thay!!!

 

[VCheng]

Ours is a martial country. Military will always capture people's imgaination.

Little boys grow up to be miltiary soldier or officer.

So the military will be prominent in every aspect.

The author took an issue with contract farmers working on military lands and turned into something much more vicious.

I wish such issues were solved more amicably.

But that doesn't mean we need to drag miltiary through mud.

Even in USA most of the very large defense firms are dominated (owned and run) by military officers mostly retired.

No need to create a mountain out of molehill.


Thank you.

Yes, there is nothing to see or discuss here. Move along!

 

[Hyperion]

Mate, this is not a molehill.................. let's not be blinded by what the military actually has become............. TTP maybe the biggest threat to private citizens, however, the biggest threat to private enterprise is the armed forces........... let's for once call a spade a spade.................

Things that go on in this country in the name of 'security'............... and the apologists............... LOL................

Ours is a martial country. Military will always capture people's imgaination.

Little boys grow up to be miltiary soldier or officer.

So the military will be prominent in every aspect.

The author took an issue with contract farmers working on military lands and turned into something much more vicious.

I wish such issues were solved more amicably.

But that doesn't mean we need to drag miltiary through mud.

Even in USA most of the very large defense firms are dominated (owned and run) by military officers mostly retired.

No need to create a mountain out of molehill.


Thank you.

 

[FaujHistorian]

Mate, this is not a molehill.................. let's not be blinded by what the military actually has become............. TTP maybe the biggest threat to private citizens, however, the biggest threat to private enterprise is the armed forces........... let's for once call a spade a spade.................

Things that go on in this country in the name of 'security'............... and the apologists............... LOL................

Have you ever tried to setup a large factory aka private enterprise in Pakistan?

Just curious.