villageidiot
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I also happen to believe disagreements over foreign policy were the main reason for the falling out between military and IK but the question we have to ask ourselves is:Always thought and believed the external affairs are the primary reason for the PTI v. Establishment split. It is not Bajwa's personal interest or that of 1 or 2 or 4 of his inner circle that is driving this wedge nor is it any new found love for the PDM cohort (for which the military has very little love lost in the first place) that is leading the establishment to not bend to PTI demands.
The simple issue is that Pakistan's long term interests require balanced ties with the US. IK and PTI have burned this bridge pretty bad and unless there is a reset, in all likelihood the establishment will not go along with IK.
Because of these external dependencies and imperatives, the establishment is also not eager on doing another extra-constitutional favor to PTI by forcing the sitting government to call for early elections. There is no legal precedence for this unless the sitting government itself throws in the towel and calls for re-elections or if there is a vote of no-confidence against SS in the parliament. Since PTI is not sitting in parliament, essentially none of the legal options are being exercised by the PTI and the establishment has no urge to push for anything extra-constitutional at this time.
Coming back to the topic of this thread, accepting Israel would become a point of decision if the majority of the Muslim world including Pakistan's allies decide to do it. Turkey has diplomatic ties with Israel but is very vocal for Palestinians. If KSA does the same, two of Pakistan's principal allies would have aligned. The issue to watch for is what the Saudi recognition of Israel yields for the Palestinians.
Second, anyone wanting to stir up more anti-military sentiment can just bring in the Israel factor to pile on more dirt on the establishment just because anti-Israeli stance sells by the tonnage in Pakistan. All things inexplainable can be set on the doorsteps of the zionists and its a case done and over with.
Side-bar, I fully condemn the assassination attempt on IK and the disgusting situation with Azam Swati. Whosoever is behind these acts, whether establishment, FIA, PDM etc., should be fully punished for these things, however IK/PTI should be factual when pointing fingers. The situation on hand demands responsibility and proof when accusing specific people. In other words, will the accusations hold in a court of law? Question to answer for PTI/IK et-al.
I am personally gutted by the fact that our country is a banana republic and worse because even the basic norms of decency are no longer being practiced.
I just hope our pols and Est. pay heed to President Arif Alvi's advice/imploring for talks. This is the ONLY way out. IK cannot win over the establishment with street power and the PDM/establishment cannot win with #2 herbay either.
Is "balanced ties with the US" (to borrow your words), worth the dent in credibility and reputation the military seems ever so willing to take? That is the whole problem. I agree we can't go banzai against the US, but where does the military draw the line? There will be no balanced US-Pakistan relations, if there no longer exists a Pakistan. That may sound exaggerated, but think of the long term effects of the current turmoil. Punjab was the last stronghold of the military and it's beginning to look bleak now, isn't it?
Also, regarding the fact that IK should provide proof when pointing fingers, I agree. I'd suggest that we let an FIR get filed and then conduct investigations as is the norm for bloody civilians? The sky won't fall. Some egos might get bruised, that's all. But then, nobody has a right to say IK is pointing fingers willy nilly.