The Power Struggle Within the Military Leadership of Pakistan Is a Cheap Competition Over Who Can Serve the United States

News:

On 11 December, the media wing of Pakistan's armed forces issued a press release stating “On August 12, 2024, process of Field General Court Martial was initiated against Mr. Faiz Hameed, formerly Lieutenant General under provisions of Pakistan Army Act spreading over 15 months. The accused was tried on four charges related to engaging in political activities, violation of Official Secret Act detrimental to safety and interest of the State, misuse of authority & government resources and causing wrongful loss to persons. After lengthy and laborious legal proceedings, the accused has been found guilty on all charges and sentenced to 14 years rigorous imprisonment by the Court which has been promulgated on 11 December 2025.” (ISPR)

Comment:

A vigorous debate erupted in Pakistan after news that a former spy chief has been sentenced to fourteen years in prison by a military court, on charges including violation of state secrets and interfering in politics. The following five points are for consideration to guide the debate to a fruitful action, by the Permission of Allah (swt).

1. It is an open secret that the military leadership in Pakistan has interfered in politics for decades. The interfering in politics began after the United States seized control of Pakistan, through the military leadership, within the sixties of the last century. Since then, until now, the United States determines all the major policies of Pakistan, through the military leadership, whilst Washington allows the military leadership to determine the role and form of the political leadership.

2. When the army chief moves to put the political leadership to the side, it is called a coup, and when the spy chief moves for changing the faces in the political leadership, it is called elections. And the major disruptions in the country occur when there is a competition within the military leadership itself. All of this is tolerated and approved by America as long as its interests are secured within Pakistan and its region. That is the actual red line for the armed forces of Pakistan.

3. As for the most recent competition, Faiz Hameed competed with Asim Munir for the post of army chief. Both men have extensively worked in intelligence, and so are skilled in competing for the most important post in the country. Thus, their competition has been long and fierce. However, looking at both their service records, it is clear that both serve America, as much as they can, on all the major issues. It is also clear that both are secular in their politics and regard the complete implementation of Islam as extremism, terrorism and radicalism. So regardless of who won the competition, there is only harm for the Muslims and Islam, through the continuation of American colonialism.

4. The Muslims of Pakistan and their armed forces must end the cheap competition for service of America. Such cheap competition will not lead to the mobilization of our armed forces for the liberation of Kashmir and Palestine. Such cheap competition will not lead to preventing American control over the mineral resources of Pakistan, including its Rare Earth Elements. Such cheap competition will not lead to the implementation of the Shariah Law of Allah ﷻ and practical steps to unify the Islamic Ummah as the world’s largest state.

5. The Muslims of Pakistan and their armed forces must focus on a single point agenda to end American colonialism, which is the establishment of the Khilafah (Caliphate) on the Method of Prophethood. Muslim narrated on the authority of Abu Hazim who said, I sat with Abu Hurairah (ra) for five years and I heard him narrating on the authority of the Prophet (saw) who said,

«كَانَتْ بَنُو إسْرَائِيلَ تَسُوسُهُمْ الأنْبـِيَاءُ كُلَّمَا هَلَكَ نَبـِيٌّ خَلَفَهُ نَبـِيٌّ وَإنَّهُ لاَ نَبـِيَّ بَعْدِي وَسَتَكُونُ خُلَفَاءُ تَكْثُرُ»

“The Prophets (as) ruled over the children of Israeel, whenever a prophet died another Prophet succeeded him, but there will be no Prophet after me. There will soon be Khulafa’ and they will number many.” [Narrated by Muslim].

O Officers of the Armed Forces of Pakistan!

End the painful mockery of the armed forces by your corrupt military leadership. Earn the respect of the entire Islamic Ummah and the Pleasure of Allah (swt) by seizing the traitors, and re-establishing the Khilafah Rashidah (Rightly-Guided Caliphate). Grant your military support (nussrah) to Hizb ut Tahrir now, so that you are led in victory against our enemies by a Khaleefah Rashid (Rightly-Guided Caliph).

Written for the Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir by
Musab Umair – Wilayah Pakistan