Will ISPR respond to Khawaja Asif, Asif Ali Zardari’s statements?
Asif Ali Zardari and Khawaja Asif's statements raised many eyebrows in which they discussed the political role of the military establishment.
ISLAMABAD: The statements of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) central leader Khawaja Asif have raised many eyebrows in which they discussed the political role of the military establishment.
Yesterday, former president and PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari delivered a contemptuous statement against former ISI chief and incumbent Peshawar Corps Commander Lt Gen Faiz Hameed by saying that ‘Faiz Hameed has been sidelined’.
He later clarified that he had unintentionally passed the remarks regarding Faiz Hameed.
Zardari passed the remarks during a press conference yesterday after formally praising the Pakistan Army for remaining ‘apolitical’ in the current scenario and said that it was good to see that the military establishment could remain politically neutral.
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Commenting on the PPP co-chairman remarks, senior journalist and anchorperson Kamran Khan said on Twitter, “Another statement from ISPR is eagerly awaited. Now on Asif Zardari’s statement regarding the current status of the Commander X1 Corps Lt Gen Faiz Hameed. Zardari, leader of the new Govt, says Gen Faiz Cdr of tens of thousands of troops in war against terrorism is “Redundant””
Another statement from ISPR is eagerly awaited. Now on Asif Zardari’s statement regarding current status of the Commander X1 Corps Lt Gen Faiz Hameed. Zardari, leader of the new Govt, says Gen Faiz Cdr of tens of thousands of troops in war against terrorism is “Redundant” pic.twitter.com/L9Re9S3n6P
— Kamran Khan (@AajKamranKhan) May 11, 2022
Anchorperson Moeed Pirzada wrote on Twitter, “Question asked to Zardari about “Faiz Hameed” and his contemptuous comment that “Faiz Hamid is khudday line” are both objectionable. ISPR should take notice & FIA should have the courage to issue Notices. Armed Forces is an institution & respect of all uniform officers is Equal.”
Question asked to Zardari about “Faiz Hameed” and his contemptuous comment that “Faiz Hamid is khudday line” are both objectionable. ISPR should take notice & FIA should have the courage to issue Notices. Armed Forces is an institution & respect of all uniform officers is Equal.
— Moeed Pirzada (@MoeedNj) May 11, 2022
Former editor of Dawn newspaper Abbas Nasir said, “Zardari’s comment on Faiz Hameed was unnecessary. Can only help haters within the institution and serve little else or no purpose.”
Zardari’s comment on Faiz Hameed was unnecessary. Can only help haters within the institution and serve little else or no purpose.
— Abbas Nasir (@abbasnasir59) May 11, 2022
On the other hand, Defence Minister and PML-N central leader Khawaja Asif told BBC that Imran Khan wanted to protect his political interests and continuity of his rule by taking some decisions regarding the appointment of a new army chief.
He was responding to a question regarding the impression that Imran Khan’s ouster from the prime minister’s office as a result of differences between the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government and the military establishment over the new army chief’s appointment.
The statements from Asif Ali Zardari and Khawaja Asif have arisen some questions about whether the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) took notice of the remarks besides giving a clarification once again to negate his political role.
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It is noteworthy to mention here that the military’s media wing had clarified a few days ago the armed forces should be kept out of political discourse in the best interest of the country. It read, “Recently there have been intensified and deliberate attempts to drag Pakistan Armed Forces and their leadership in ongoing political discourse in the country.”
“These attempts are manifest through direct, insinuated or nuanced references to the Armed Forces as well as their senior leadership, made by some political leaders, few journalists and analysts on public forums and various communication platforms including social media,” adding, “This practice of unsubstantiated, defamatory and provocative statements /remarks is extremely damaging.”
“Pakistan Armed Forces take strong exception to such unlawful and unethical practice and expect all to abide by the law and keep the armed forces out of political discourse in the best interest of the country,” it statement concluded.
