Military’s political role: Imran Khan follows Maryam, Zardari’s footsteps to raise questions

The spokesperson of the military’s media wing has reacted to former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s statement during the Faisalabad rally, saying that it was ‘”aghast at the defamatory and uncalled for” statement about the institution’s senior leadership.”

Imran Khan’s statement was not new in the political history of Pakistan as earlier, such statements were also given by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s (PPP) top leaders against Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed and other military officers.

To respond to Khan’s statement yesterday, a press release was issued by the Public Relations Department of the Pakistan Army (ISPR).

“Regrettably, an attempt has been made to discredit and undermine [the] senior leadership of [the] 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 the chief of army staff (COAS), the procedure for which is well defined in the constitution, is most unfortunate and disappointing, the ISPR said.

It went on to say that the army’s senior leadership had a decades-long, impeccable and meritorious service to prove its patriotic and professional credentials beyond any doubt.

Commenting on PTI chief’s statement, President Dr Arif Alvi, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif and PML-N’s VP Maryam Nawaz, among other leaders, in their respective statements, criticised Imran Khan’s statement.

President Alvi condemned Khan’s statement and said that the army is patriotic, the army is giving sacrifices on a daily basis to protect the life and property of the motherland and the nation.

Earlier, the ISPR had issued a statement in response to Maryam Nawaz and Asif Ali Zardari, saying that such conversations regarding any army officer should be avoided.

ISPR had said in its ongoing statement that the army has nothing to do with politics, so it should not be dragged into politics. The army is answerable to the government under the constitution.

“Politicising the senior leadership of Pakistan Army and scandalising the process of selection of [the] COAS is neither in the interest of the state of Pakistan nor of the institution. Pakistan Army reiterates its commitment to uphold the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” the statement concluded.

Earlier, Maryam Nawaz reacted strongly over a question raised by a journalist regarding Lt Gen Faiz Hameed’s appointment as the army chief. To this, Maryam replied that “It is very premature to tell anything but the person who has been involved in such activities, he should be held accountable, he has done several controversial works which may not be found in the history of 73 years, now he should be held accountable, this type of person should be given another position and I think giving such an important position will be a slap in the face of the nation, the constitution and the rule of law.”

اس وقت اگلے آرمی چیف کے لیے 4 سینئیر ترین افسران میں سے ایک جنرل فیض حمید ہیں

جنرل فیض کو آرمی چیف لگانے کے حوالے سے مریم نواز کا بیان سنیں

اس پر ISPR کا بیان کیوں نہیں آیا؟

pic.twitter.com/XiusYk3lbQ

— Azhar Mashwani (@MashwaniAzhar) September 5, 2022

Former President Asif Ali Zardari, during a press conference in Karachi, used very bad words about Lt. General Faiz Hameed and said that “Faiz Hameed Bachara To Ab Khade Line Hai.”

فیض حمید بیچارہ تو کھڈے لائن ہے آصف زرداری

جناب @OfficialDGISPR صاحب ۔۔۔ یہاں آپ کو غصہ نہیں آیا ؟ کیا فیض حمید پاک فوج کا جرنیل نہیں ہے ؟؟ وہاں آپ کو غصہ نہیں آتا ؟ pic.twitter.com/fHaO8Emnq4

— Rashid Mehmood (@RashidMkhan79) September 5, 2022

Analysts say that ISPR issued a statement on Imran Khan’s statement in which anger and regret have been expressed. Earlier, ISPR had to issue a statement on the statements of Maryam Nawaz, Asif Ali Ali Zardari and other leaders, so what is the difference?