INTERVIEW – General Mirza Aslam Beg


Written by SAO • Special Features • August 2011

General Mirza Aslam Beg - former Chief of Staff, Pakistan Army, shared his learned views on the changing perception surrounding the Pakistan Armed Forces. General Beg, SBt, HI(M), NI(M), afwc, psc (born 2 August 1931), is a retired four star rank general who was the Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Army succeeding General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, after the latter died in an air crash on 17 August 1988. He continued to hold the powerful post of Army Chief till his retirement in 1991, and was succeeded by General Asif Nawaz after the latter’s nomination by President Ghulam Ishaq Khan. As Army chief, Beg is credited for improving the fighting capabilities of the Pakistan Army.[1]

SAGlobalAffairs: In the light of global political events since 9/11, do you think there is a negative image of Pakistan Armed Forces?
General Mirza Aslam Beg: It is not the image which has been impacted but the military has been falling short of the expectations of the people ‘to correct the course’, regarding the defiance of the court orders; retarding the process of accountability and rampant corruption by the sitting government. People, now have the feeling that the armed forces may themselves have become accomplice to the crime.

SA: What are some factors that are contributing to this public perception?
MAB: The main factor is the same as mentioned above. Under the circumstances, it is the armed forces who must intervene under Article 190 of the Constitution. Hesitation to do so is a matter of concern, as it is fraught with a dangerous drift.

SA: How should one improve Armed Forces’ image?
MAB: The armed forces must come forward to “correct the course”, which means:
•   Provide protection to the apex court to implement court orders and establish rule of law.
•   Provide protection to the apex court to carry out above board accountability, without interference by the government.
•   In order to check corruption and malpractices, early elections are the only answer, to be held under a National Government (Bangladesh model). This is the collective responsibility of the political parties, the people and the armed forces.

SA: What is the ISPR’s role in promoting image of Armed Forces in correct perspective?
MAB: ISPR mainly carries out crisis management tasks. It needs to follow a long-term policy of ‘engagement with the media,’ and the people, based on openness, information sharing and discrete contact both at higher and gross roots level.

SA: How has the media impacted the news coverage of national security and the armed forces?
MAB: They have played a very positive role by highlighting the expectations of the people from the armed forces at these very trying moments. Some may have transgressed the limit. In doing so, in their very moment of anxiety, they share with the broad masses. Media has created a level of awareness, which was totally missing in 1971, when Dhaka fell, to the utter dismay of the nation.

SA: What is the media’s influence on thinking of general public?
MAB: It has been able to maintain a high level of public awareness, with regard to all the major issues. It has not acted against national interests. A few exceptions may be there but, by and large, it has acted responsibly, creating a degree of awareness amongst the people, which I consider an asset and the driving force for change.

SA: The future role of media?
MAB: Media also has a role to correct things where they go wrong. For example, they have the shared responsibility to join the efforts and find peace with our tribals, with whom we are engaged in a running battle for the last six years. This would help Pakistan to also provide a safe exit to the occupation forces from Afghanistan – the “mother of all evil.”