In Islamabad, pro-coup billboards are showing up just as the Army chief’s retirement date draws near. No one is surprised, and while the boys are not taking credit, neither are they eager to take any action against the campaign. Retired officers are even expressing their desire for Gen Raheel to continue beyond his term, just as they have supported the same for every Army chief before him. Media has twisted the words of US officials including US Senator John Mccain to try to make it sound like America also wants an extension for Gen Raheel, and the usual suspects on social media have been chomping at the bit for “Go Nawaz Go” slogans.
However it was Turkey, not Pakistan, that has suffered a coup attempt, and the response has been amusing to watch. There are those who are clearly disappointed that Turkey’s coup did not succeed, and worry that this might send the wrong message to our own leaders.
TURKISH PEOPLE WIN: I wish/pray NwazSharif does not get ideas frm this episode n starts thinking same would happen in Pak. NOT GOING 2B SAME
— SHAHEEN SEHBAI (@SSEHBAI1) July 15, 2016
#Turkey coup is also a litmus test for Nawaz Shareef. If Erdogan had any Panama accounts, no one would have been on streets to help him.
— Farhan Khan Virk (@FarhanKVirk) July 15, 2016
Next there are the civilian leaders celebrating Turkish citizens fearlessly standing up to their military to preserve their democracy.
Turkish people out in streets challenging attempt to subvert democracy,people struggling to defend their right to rule,they will triumph IA
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) July 15, 2016
It has to be a dream for them that their own people would do something similar, but it is also a lesson for all of us that no matter how powerful, every Army depends on the support of its people and losing that renders it virtually powerless.
This brings us to the powers that be, who have remained bizarrely silent so far. And the boot polishers who are just bizarre.
More evidence that #Turkey military as an institution did not launch a coup. This appears to be a deeper conspiracy: https://t.co/f1hG9fupQ4
— Ahmed Quraishi (@AQpk) July 16, 2016
