More on defending the defenders

Answering unwarranted criticism of the Military in this space last week, we discussed Military (read Army) take-overs, and Military not allowing democracy to flourish in Pakistan. The article generated debate but unfortunately many restricted their comments to continuing emotive criticism devoid of rationale and missed the finer points made about Pakistan's military-dependent civil-military construct and its subpar political class. Continuing the debate, we discuss the remaining issues of corruption in Military and the perks of its senior leadership, before coming back to Maulana Fazlur Rehman's speech in Islamabad Lawyers' Convention on July 19, 2026.

Corruption in the Military ranks, like all organs of any State, is not unique to any specific country. According to Transparency International Defence & Security Index, almost two-thirds of the countries in the world face 'high to critical risk of corruption' because Defence Sector masks behind national security exemptions, bypassing public oversight and transparency. However, Military corruption in Pakistan's context is dealt with decisively, swiftly and with due diligence at all levels.

The internal accountability of the System is strong, responsive and aggressive. Under the System, punishments have been awarded from Sepoy to General, as known. There, unfortunately, is no comparative precedent by other state organs.

Corruption in the political class in numerous ways – MNA/MPA Discretionary Funds being just one example – is too well known. The ways wherein politically-motivated schemes, 'ostensibly' for public welfare, drain the national exchequer, are all too brazen. The mad race to acquire privileges, including financial benefits of all sorts, by legislators is not hidden either.

The scale and scope of corruption in other organs of the State decidedly dwarfs Military's corruption, if any. And Military's corruption is punishable even after retirement. In Pakistan's case, the audit system is feared, is very detailed and penetrating with very aggressive Parliament oversight (paradoxically!).

Worldwide, military corruption is concentrated in arms procurement, the embezzlement and misuse of secret budgets, military-owned commercial enterprises, and favouritism in personnel decisions. In our Military, there are relatively stringent checks to ensure institutional integrity, contain corruption and…