Destructive role of the Pakistan Army

Ayesha Siddiqa's book Military Inc. has given us a good foundation to understand the roles of the Pakistan Army which are well beyond the realm of their professional duties.

Although at times the book seems to be gasping for statistics, this attempt by Ms. Siddiqa nevertheless helps us understand the comprehensive infiltration of the Army and consequent destruction of Pakistani institutions. From housing schemes, construction firms, fertilizer plants and banks, the tentacles of the Milbus is well spread out.

It also reveals other misconceptions - i.e. that it's a Punjabi Army. Although there is truth to this, further inspection reveals that only 3 of the 34 districts of Punjab find representation.
In page 59, her research sheds light on the composition of the Army. It turns out 75% of the Pakistan Army is from three districts in Northern Punjab - presumably Rawalpindi, Attock and Chakwal. Another 20% of the Army recruits hail from 4-5 districts in the NWFP, leaving the rest of the 125 districts of the country with a 5% representation.

With such damning statistics already raising question marks on the ability of the Army to satisfy the heterogenous mix of the country, the intrusion into the markets and economic structures of Pakistan reflect extremely negatively on this institution. The fact that it has taken over through the barrel of the gun and maintains one pointed at the democratic leaders even today, gives the Armed Forces a menacing image. It makes sense then to see the same threatening posture used to make the politicians bow down, also be used to squeeze benefits from the state's financial institutions and fund what often are loss making enterprises benefitting an elite group of officers and their immediate beneficiaries.