It saddens me to read your post. Sounds like another PTI fanboi who repeats the 'establishment' part ad nauseum because the Aristotle of Pakistan Mr. Imran Khan, the born again Muslim, started saying that barely a year ago. Have some originality of thought! A philanthropist and a financially clean person doesn't make one a great leader necessarily.
Projection, and blind one at that...
Who is even talking about PTI or the former premier? Great that you have an original thought and you want to impart that wisdom... but if replying to me than at least quote the passage that is being discussed... just so I'm clued in!
Second, if there is correlation between what I have said and what Khan says does not infer causation. My posts on this board are fairly clear on my stance and that is not in his favor. Quite the contrary I have tried to confer to the reader a more thorough, thoughtful and meaningful approach. Kind of thing that people forego when catering to superficial political rhetoric... analysis I'm more interested in as well.
My reflection, if it saddened you was not agenda driven, but yours? Which pivoted instantly to a politician, his party and credentials... perhaps was‽
For your info, the same 'Establishment' had Pakistan to be a very prosperous country well into Pakistan's history into the 1980s when compared with the neighbors. The same 'Establishment' made Pakistan's defense, and, yes, with a lot of American help, to be so strong that a fledgling nation born in 1947 with potentials like the modern Afghanistan has been able to face off a far stronger enemy till this day.
I'm afraid Pakistan has been a basket case for much of it's history. The little success that it did enjoy had more to do with western largesse. The establishment preferred and indeed acquiesced to an easier route, one of quid pro quo. And that "far stronger" enemy is the cope right there... Pakistan was only as useful as it's utility. I do not want to recount it's many failures... since you conveniently failed to mention. Ah yes... Ukraine comes to mind in recent times. Let me put it in plain English... Pakistan LOST the day of it's partition! Centuries of sacrifice, existence, progress and their descendents lost. And to be clear, I'm FOR partition... only saying, as Jinnah mused "a mutilated, truncated and moth eaten" one.
Only solemn acceptance here from you is that it could have been worse. But that cuts both ways, doesn't it? It could have been equally as bad or worse for India as well. So, establishment didn't do jack! In fact if anything it proved itself as opportunistic as anyone... understanding it's role and thumb over matters only it could affect. It leveraged and co-opted power for itself alone! The unwashed masses crossed the rubicon yet became colony of their own... the institutions didn't impart power to the people, it took it away! Whatever could have happened, actually did happen! Kashmir and Bengal lost! What other unpolished and unruffled diamond could India indeed possess by attacking, controlling or conquering Pakistan? Except for an endless headache ending perhaps in it's very disintegration...
Yet, Pakistan rightfully lost!
And lastly, did fight the wars it signed up for... consequences of which it's people(not of their choosing) feel to this day!
The perks and the privileges the Pakistan military enjoys are not unique to Pakistan. In America too the Military Industrial Complex enjoys immense privileges to the detriment of ordinary Americans and I think there are other countries where some form of uniformed or civilian oligarchy enjoys great privileges. BUT countries don't get destroyed from them.
It is fairly unique!
MIC is a private enterprise... need of it arose from wars of conquest, furthering and protecting U.S overseas interests, projection of power, protection of allies and by sale of equipment/services rendered.
Pakistan military has become an institutionalized oligarchy, that compromises on it's raison d'etre, and runs multiple commercial enterprises. In fact, fighting a real war may not be in "it's" own real interest, irrespective of nations desires!
An example is Pakistan's lack of interest or desire in patching up in it's neighborhood for the foremost interest of it's masses. Incapacity, lack of capability or desire? In reality the services rendered by the oligarchy's to its foreign benefactors inhibits any such forays... in trade, currency, movement, education or resources.
A country gets destroyed when there are internal divisions, when there are 'revolutions' when the revolutionaries are the same old--as in case of PTI, a country gets destroyed when all its institutions start to fight against each other, which is happening in Pakistan now, thanks in no small measure to a power hungry Imran Khan who was assured to win the next elections anyway.
Gravely damaging the Pakistani 'establishment' without a viable alternative would put Pakistan in grave danger akin to what happened in some Middle Eastern countries in the name of 'revolutions' and Indians are eagerly waiting for the moment to arrive. Do you think Imran Khan is that smart and do you think there will be a PTI if, God forbids, a bullet takes him out??? Oh you fools!!!
seemingly the ability of it's establishment to pull replacements out of thin air has remained commendable. None though were/are statesman, lacking basic acumen and knowledge about themselves, country or region at large. Puppets on a string! To put in perspective Pakistan has lost leaders to bullets/bombs and crashes.
Bring something new, willya‽
As I have said, elections are distractions managed by a few, on their dime and for their benefit.
so come what may...
Bring change that speaks, not a politician.
But then I am probably playing the proverbial flute to the buffaloes here. There are none more blind than those who refuse to see!
Ah, pity!
Insted keep yourself entertained with that proverbial flute... makes more sense.
The 1965 war was a turning point for Pakistan as that’s when Pakistan military leadership connected close to China as it faced embargo from USA. Where as, it was after end of Musharraf’s tenure that Pakistan looked towards China for majority of defence needs while the craving for F-16 diminished.
One war to another, military was instrumental in bringing China close to Pakistan due to defence needs.
Pakistan willingly signed up for a cause against Soviets!
That, U.S didn't share same goals as Pakistan only reflects different priorities. Pakistan, though was a beneficiary of choice! It's elites chose that route...
Your last lines sums it up... Pakistan military unto itself was/is an instrument of foreign policy, domestic meddling and state paid the price for it's earlier commitments. I guess rentier was a correct term afterall.