Dr Ayesha Siddiqa-Agha is an independent security analyst and author of 'Pakistan's Arms Procurement and Military Buildup, 1979-99 In Search of a Policy" (Palgrave Press, 2001). She did her doctorate from King's College, London in 1996 and has worked on issues varying from military technology, defence decision-making, nuclear deterrence, arms procurement, arms production to civil-military relations in South Asia. She is also a Ford Fellow. She was asked to work as the Director of Naval Research with Pakistan Navy, making her the first civilian and woman to work at that position in Pakistan's defence establishment. Dr Siddiqa-Agha has written for various international journals like the journal for Defence and Peace Economics, Jane's Defence Weekly and the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists. She has also written commissioned papers on small arms and light weapons proliferation and problems of governance. Siddiqa’s new book Military Inc.: Inside Pakistan’s Military Economy caused waves in Pakistan and abroad.
After remaining under colonial rule for centuries followed by total dependence on the West, do you agree that the people of Pakistan are suffering something similar from what has been dubbed as post-traumatic slave syndrome?
Ours is something else. We are a rentier state.
What is a rentier state?
We take money for providing services to others. The country's ruling elite is a rentier.
Mercenary?
Yes. Rentier as in rent.
You are referring to ‘war on terror'?
Even before.
After joining military pacts such as SEATO and CENTO?
Yes.
And how the policies pursued by the ruling elite have impacted Pakistan?
They have served foreign interests since the country's independence.
And how this policy has impacted the masses?
The ruling elite do not make the country productive because they get money from outside. No one gets money for the people. They would be deprived anyway.
Do you see any chance that the people will get rid of subservience?
Sporadic struggles but disconnected.
So Pakistan is headed towards anarchy?
It is already there.
What will be the outcome of anarchy?
There doesn’t necessarily have to be a predictable outcome. Look at Sudan, Sierrre Leone, Rawanda and Ethiopia.
You mean perpetual anarchy?
Yes. Where is the evidence of a change? Once you loose your way, sometimes it’s hard to find the way out of the maze.
Can it lead to disintegration of Pakistan?
Not necessarily.
So the common man will continue to suffer?
Yes. I believe that we have confusion at several levels.
Do you see any difference between a democratic and military government or are both happy to act as a rentier?
No difference. In fact, they are linked to each other.
Can you please elaborate about the link?
The civilians do not replace the military and military does not replace them. It’s a superficial contest.
After remaining under colonial rule for centuries followed by total dependence on the West, do you agree that the people of Pakistan are suffering something similar from what has been dubbed as post-traumatic slave syndrome?
Ours is something else. We are a rentier state.
What is a rentier state?
We take money for providing services to others. The country's ruling elite is a rentier.
Mercenary?
Yes. Rentier as in rent.
You are referring to ‘war on terror'?
Even before.
After joining military pacts such as SEATO and CENTO?
Yes.
And how the policies pursued by the ruling elite have impacted Pakistan?
They have served foreign interests since the country's independence.
And how this policy has impacted the masses?
The ruling elite do not make the country productive because they get money from outside. No one gets money for the people. They would be deprived anyway.
Do you see any chance that the people will get rid of subservience?
Sporadic struggles but disconnected.
So Pakistan is headed towards anarchy?
It is already there.
What will be the outcome of anarchy?
There doesn’t necessarily have to be a predictable outcome. Look at Sudan, Sierrre Leone, Rawanda and Ethiopia.
You mean perpetual anarchy?
Yes. Where is the evidence of a change? Once you loose your way, sometimes it’s hard to find the way out of the maze.
Can it lead to disintegration of Pakistan?
Not necessarily.
So the common man will continue to suffer?
Yes. I believe that we have confusion at several levels.
Do you see any difference between a democratic and military government or are both happy to act as a rentier?
No difference. In fact, they are linked to each other.
Can you please elaborate about the link?
The civilians do not replace the military and military does not replace them. It’s a superficial contest.
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