Who Got Those Drones for Pakistan?

What was reported as a snub by the Pakistan military for the U.S. strategy in the region was in fact a simple act of bargaining.
Pakistan Army spokesman Athar Abbas told the BBC the “overstretched” military had no plans for any fresh anti-militant operations over the next 12 months. He added that “The Pakistan army is overstretched and it is not in a position to open any new fronts. Obviously, we will continue our present operations in Waziristan and Swat.” The announcement was made during the visit of U.S. Secretary of Defense, Robert Gates to the region. And many interpreted this as an embarrassment for the Obama Administration.
The Pakistan military was once able to out smart the U.S. diplomats by hitting where and when it hurts the U.S. most. Some visible success for President Obama’s Af-Pak strategy is vital for his crisis besieged Presidency. Involvement of Pakistan and its compliance with the larger U.S. plan in the region is critical to any success in Af-Pak. Thus it logically follows that Pakistan can afford to be demanding. For several months, the Pakistani administration had been asking U.S. to transfer unmanned drones and drone technology to Pakistan; a request that was ignored, if not out rightly rejected, by the U.S.�
So once again Pakistan (read Pakistani military) took the right decision at the right time. Instead of requesting Secretary Gates for transfer of drone technology, the Pakistani military simply expressed their decision to halt military operations given the lack of manpower. Hours after Major General Abbas’s statement explaining the decision of the Pakistan military, Secretary Gates declared the U.S. intent to provide a dozen unarmed aerial spy drones to Pakistan.
Since Pakistan is lacking manpower for combating terrorism, unarmed spy drones are a perfect solution.
The stage for the drama was set during Senator Joe Lieberman and Senator John McCain’s visit to Pakistan earlier this month. Describing Pakistanis as “good partners” in the war against terrorists, Senator Lieberman said that Senator McCain and he were particularly impressed with the commitment of the Pakistani military to the fight against terrorists. “We met with General Kayani, the chief of the army. The Pakistani army is on the move. It pushed the Taliban out of the Swat area. It pretty much cleared South Waziristan,” he said. “I think there is a possibility that we’ll see some movement in North Waziristan.”
What changed between the Senator’s visit and Secretary Gates visit?
Nothing much. It was only a gradual unfolding of the drama scrupulously scripted and enacted by the Pakistani military.
But there is still something in the script that has felt me confused. I was under the impression that the Government of Pakistan (i.e. the civilian leadership) was in charge for guiding the counter-terrorism operations. If that was the case, then why did the spokesman of the Pakistani military, rather than a representative of the civilian government, make the announcement for change in strategy? Has there been any word by the Zardari-Gilani Government on freezing expansion of military operations?
What the civilian government of Pakistan was trying to achieve for months, the Pakistani military accomplished in one strike. Pakistan will soon have unarmed spy drones, adding to the military’s reconnaissance and surveillance ability. Since the Pakistani military has secured the drones from the U.S., it is unlikely that the civilian government will have much say in the future use of drones. And few of us have doubts about Pakistan military’s ‘most favored emeney’!

Any doubts on why civilian rulers are outset by the military in Pakistan?