Imran Khan blames military establishment for economic disasters

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former premier Imran Khan has once again criticised the military establishment for not listening to his multiple warnings over the ‘conspiracy’ against his government which led to the economic disasters.

Reiterating his stance over economic disasters after Attock public gathering, Imran Khan said on Twitter, “Market awaiting policy and action, which the imported government has failed to provide.”

He said, “Both myself and Shaukat Tarin had warned the “Neutrals” [military establishment] that if conspiracy succeeded, our fragile economic recovery would go into a tailspin. That is what has now happened.”

Khan added, “Rupee at all-time low Rs193/$ (from Rs178/ on 8March); Interest rates at 15% highest since 1998; stock market down 3,000 points or 6.4%; stock market lost Rs604 billion capitalisation; Inflation 13.4% highest since Jan 2020. Reflects lowest ever confidence in the imported government.”

Market awaiting policy & action, which Imported Govt has failed to provide. Both myself & Shaukat Tareen had warned the “Neutrals” that if conspiracy succeeded our fragile economic recovery would go into a tailspin. That is what has now happened. #امپورٹڈ__حکومت__نامنظور

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) May 13, 2022

During the Attock public gathering yesterday, Imran Khan blamed the military establishment for being neutral on serious national matters despite being warned by him about the ‘conspiracy’ against his government.

The PTI chairman had given a call to fight for real independence and announced that he will not accept the slavery of the US in the shape of the current rulers who are thieves and dacoits. He had also clarified that he was not afraid for his life nor had any fear of his arrest.

Imran Khan’s statements came after a clarification of the military’s spokesperson yesterday in which the role of military establishment played in any political discourse was rejected. The military’s spokesperson had also called the politicians’ statements against the top military leadership including Peshawar Corps Commanders ‘very inappropriate’

Military’s clarification

Yesterday, the Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (DG-ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar had said the Pakistan Army could not get involved in the political affairs as it had to deal with security challenges facing the country.

The entire nation loved its armed forces and the latter also reciprocated the same, and no rift could be created between the two, he said while talking to the private news channel.

Major Gen Babar said it had been repeatedly requested to keep the armed forces out of the political talk. However, the leaders of all political parties had made statements about the top leadership of the armed forces over the last few days, the state news agency quoted Iftikhar’s statement.

He said the army had no issue with valid criticism, however, the social media was spewing propaganda and not criticism.

The DG ISPR said, “If there is any lapse in the security of the country, there is no room for an apology. However, if anyone thinks that there may be division within the army then they do not know about the army.”

The entire army, he said, looked towards its chief and there should be no doubt that anyone could create divisions in its ranks and files.

“The position of command is important in any rank within the army. The Corps Commander’s position is an important post after the Army Chief.”

Maj Gen Babar said 70% of the army strength was deployed across the country as various counter-terrorism operations were being carried out in different places.

“We have achieved a lot in the war on terror,” he added. The DG ISPR said the decision of early elections was to be made by the politicians and the army had no role in that regard.

“The politicians are capable to resolve the issues and make better decisions through dialogue,” he added. The Pakistan Army, he said, would provide its services for security whenever the government wanted it to do so.

He underlined that the army had never invited politicians for meetings. “When requests are made, then the Army Chief has to meet (them)” and the entire responsibility in that regard rested with the politicians, he added.

Major Gen Babar said the visits of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief were not made public. The meetings and intelligence sharing with intelligence chiefs of all the countries were being made and no ambiguity should be created in such cases, he added.

“Our officers, and soldiers remain cut off from society but even when rumours and misinformation about the institution reach them, it affects the morale of the organization”, the DG ISPR said.

“Our soldiers have full confidence in the Chief and commanders. The criticism of (political) leaders affects every soldier as the army’s center of gravity is the Army Chief, and any undue criticism has a negative effect”, he added.