“Did you hear Imran Khan’s speech from yesterday? Do political leaders deliver such speeches? Will everything be put at stake just for the sake of a Game of Thrones?” Chief Justice Minallah asked Khan’s counsel.
By Naveed Naqvi
ISLAMABAD: The military on Monday expressed displeasure over former prime minister Imran Khan’s statement on the appointment of a new army chief, saying the institution was ‘aghast’ at his remarks about the top army leadership.
“Politicizing the senior leadership of Pakistan Army and scandalizing the process of selection of COAS (Chief of Army Staff) is neither in the interest of the state of Pakistan nor of the institution,” ISPR, the military’s media arm said in a statement.
“Pakistan army is aghast at the defamatory and uncalled for statement about the senior leadership of Pakistan army by chairman PTI during a political rally at Faisalabad.”
The statement said regrettably, an attempt has been made to discredit and undermine senior leadership of Pakistan Army at a time when the institution is laying lives for the security and safety of the people of Pakistan every day.
“Senior politicians trying to stir controversies on the appointment of COAS of Pakistan Army, the procedure for which is well defined in the constitution, is most unfortunate and disappointing. Senior leadership of army has decades’ long impeccable meritorious service to prove its patriotic and professional credentials beyond any doubt.”
Ousted prime minister Khan has accused the country’s coalition government of delaying fresh elections to appoint ‘a new army chief of their own choice’ to protect their alleged corrupt practices.
“A new army chief was going to be appointed in November this year, and they [Zaradri and Sharif] jointly wanted to appoint a favourite [general] as the next army chief,” Khan made his remarks at a rally of his Tehreek-e-Insaf party in Faisalabad.
“They fear that if a strong, patriotic army chief is appointed, he will question them about their stolen wealth,” Khan said. “Whoever is on the top of the merit list should be appointed to lead the army.”
The claim drew condemnation from the government also and the judiciary.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif took to Twitter to dismiss Khan’s comments as “despicable utterances,” saying they were aimed at maligning state institutions.
The ruling coalition also condemned Khan’s public meeting for spreading hatred against the military and its leadership and making ‘professional matters’ controversial.
The ruling partners said that the serious allegations being leveled against the military are for three reasons: to disturb the country’s economy, to move Pakistan’s economy to a path that it becomes like that of Sri Lanka, and foster enmity between the nation and the armed forces.
“With the power of the constitution and law, we will thwart this nefarious conspiracy and deal with the conspirators in line with the constitution and law,” the statement said.
Ousted Khan has landed himself visibly in more trouble and critique following the statement as the Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah at a hearing against PEMRA asked whether Khan wanted to hurt the morale of the armed forces by delivering anti-military speeches.
“Did you hear Imran Khan’s speech from yesterday? Do political leaders deliver such speeches? Will everything be put at stake just for the sake of a ‘Game of Thrones’?” Chief Justice Minallah asked Khan’s counsel, making a reference to the popular television drama in which nine noble families wage war against each other to gain control over a mythical land.
“Hold yourself accountable for your actions. You [Khan] want to issue statements as per your wishes and don’t want the regulator to do its job?”
The appointment of a new army chief is due in October. The constitution allows the prime minister to pick the military head from a list of generals submitted by the outgoing chief. The army chief’s term is three years.
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