The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Ikram Sehgal, Editor of Pakistan Defense Journal, said here on Sunday that army should not stay longer and get involved in day-to-day affairs of a country, as it affects their professionalism.

"Army has a specific role to play for a very specific mission for a very short time…They can come at a national crisis for a short time and go back to barracks. Otherwise, they lose professionalism if they get involved in day-to-day affair," he said exchanging views with journalists at Dhaka Reporters Unity on pre-and post-election scenarios in Pakistan-a country ruled by the military for most part of its history.

Sehgal, who delivered a lecture at the National Defence College yesterday, said he gave the same message to Bangladesh Army officers. He would not disclose what he precisely told them.

In reply to a question, he said there are some commonalities of Pakistan's pre-election situation in Bangladesh, which he said are "disturbing".

Sehgal, who was a Major of the East Bengal Regiment in 1971, said the Bangladesh Army is more restraint and smarter than the Pakistani army and hoped they would learn from the mistakes made by the Pakistani Generals.

"Your army is much more sensible and responsible," he said, adding that the Bangladesh Army has done tremendous job after January 11 last year and said this is a very special situation here. Asked if he thinks the army's stay here seems to be longer, Sehgal said if elections are held after several months, it would be alright. But their stay "beyond the time will not be good".

Sehgal said President General Musharraf had done many good jobs in first two years, strengthening the local-government institutions, empowering women and resuscitating the economy, but all his good works were negated by his later actions and political ambition. He said Pakistan's Army Chief General Kyani recalled all 362 army officers from civilian posts, kept army off from politics, restricted Generals from talking to politicians and ensured free and fair parliamentary elections in Pakistan.

The defence editor observed that a Captain, a Major or a Brigadier or General has no business to run business. "They are not trained for running a country; they are to protect the sovereignty of a state and can come only at a national crisis for a short period of time."

In reply to a question, he said he had talk with the Election

Commissioners during his last visit to Dhaka and said the Commission should give the elections soon the electoral role in prepared. "If the Election Commission is ready, it should hold the elections," he added.

About the possibility of a coalition government of slain Ms Benazir Bhutto's PPP and Pakistan Muslim League (Newaz), the Editor said there would be a coalition as both the parties have got a common stand against President Musharraf. "Once they hated each other, but they are together because of President Musharraf factors." Saying that the assassination of Benazir was a great loss to Pakistan, he said she was a great charismatic leader and a 'queen'. If she were alive, her party would have got more seats, he observed. Asked about any security concern over Dhaka-Kolkata train service, Sehgal said although he had fought two wars against India and was captured and tortured by Indian BSF, Bangladesh and Pakistan should strengthen relations with India breaking the mindset of fear and mistrust and create a better environment in the region.