Mehmed Ali bent military law to favor members of his elite network

Evidence

In his attempt to strengthen his rule and found a dynasty Mehmed Ali had to play his cards delicately and avoid unnecessarily antagonizing some members of his entourage only so as to uphold the letter of the law. For example, there is the case of a certain Ali Bey who was appointed as a captain but discharged because of his “lax and loose behavior.” He presented a petition to the Pasha requesting to be reappointed in the army and Mehmed Ali accepted it because “the man was the nephew of Ali Bey Maraşlı” who had been working in the War Department and “was a member of an old family.” — Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed Ali, his…, 922