Tag: Major General Babar Iftik­har

  • Considering significant medical, legal, and security challenges: Musharraf’s family

    Considering significant medical, legal, and security challenges: Musharraf’s family

    Former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General (retd) Pervez Musharraf’s family on Sunday said that they are reviewing the medical, legal, and security challenges before deciding on his return to Pakistan.

    Musharraf’s family said that Pakistan lacks the required medicines and medical facilities, adding that a continuous supply of a drug called ‘daratumumab’ and treatment of amyloidosis is needed which is currently not available in the country.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Chief Nawaz Sharif and Inter-Services Pub­lic Relations (ISPR) Director-Gen­eral (DG) Major General Babar Iftik­har both appear to be on the same page regarding Musharraf’s return to Pakistan.

    READ MORE: ‘Military leadership’s stance is that Pervez Musharraf should return’: DG ISPR

    DG ISPR said, “In such a situation, the institution and leadership’s stance is that Pervez Musharraf should return,” said DG ISPR in Dunya News programme, ‘On The Front with Kamran Shahid’.

    “Musharraf Saab is seriously ill. We have contacted his family. Once his family responds and the doctors allow him to travel, we can make the required arrangements.”

    On the other hand, Nawaz said, “I have no personal enmity or animosity towards Pervez Musharraf. I don’t want anyone else to suffer the traumas I have had to endure for my loved ones. I pray to Almighty Allah for his health. If he wants to return to Pakistan, the government should facilitate him.”

    Musharraf, 78, is critically ill these days as he is suffering from a condition called amyloidosis, his office said earlier this month.

  • ‘Will DG ISPR decide if there was any conspiracy or not?’: Imran Khan

    ‘Will DG ISPR decide if there was any conspiracy or not?’: Imran Khan

    Former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan responded to Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major-General Babar Iftikhar’s statement on the alleged foreign conspiracy and asked if he would decide whether the conspiracy was hatched or not.

    “Will DG ISPR decide if there was any conspiracy or not? He can only explain his point of view but can’t decide himself. Therefore, if you want to probe the conspiracy, ask the chief justice of Pakistan to probe and decide,” he said.

    Khan said that when he was PM, he had decided to form a commission to probe the conspiracy behind the no-trust motion, but proper investigation was not done.

    “Now there is only one way: the chief justice of Pakistan should conduct an open hearing to probe the ‘Lettergate’ conspiracy,” he added.

    Did not make any political statements, but clarified on behalf of the services chiefs of the Pakistan armed forces: DG ISPR

    Major-General Babar Iftikhar said that he “did not issue political statements” when he commented on the outcome of the National Security Committee (NSC) meeting.

    DG ISPR said he did not make any “political statements”, rather it was a clarification on behalf of the services chiefs of the Pakistan armed forces.

    He also responded to the claims of former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed that “none of the services chiefs in the NSC meeting said that there was a conspiracy”.

    “He was in a way trying to convey that he was speaking on their behalf,” the DG ISPR said, stating that he was the spokesperson of the services chiefs, not Sheikh Rasheed.

    “I am the spokesperson of the services chiefs. If someone speaks something about the services chiefs, then I will have to clarify it — there is nothing political about this,” he said.

    DG ISPR further said that the services chiefs had provided detailed input in the meeting and they had presented information based on intelligence reports, not mere speculation or opinion.

    “This cannot be considered as someone’s opinion; it was a proper briefing based on intelligence reports,” he said.

     The military was ready to support the investigation in any way possible

    On the demands of the formation of a judicial commission to probe the matter, the DG ISPR said the military was ready to support the investigation in any way possible.

    “By all means, judicial commission or whatever forum the government of the day decides […] the institution will provide complete assistance,” the military’s spokesperson said.

    Intelligence agencies clarified in NSC meeting that there was no conspiracy against Khan: DG ISPR

    DG ISPR while talking to a private news channel said that no conspiracy was hatched to oust Khan. He said that the military leadership was present in the NSC meeting and the participants were clearly briefed by the intelligence agencies.

    “[They were] briefed that there was no conspiracy or evidence of any kind [against the then government], nothing like that happened. Participants were told in detail that there was no evidence of any conspiracy,” said the DG ISPR.

  • PTI’s Asad Umar responds to DG ISPR’s recent interview

    PTI’s Asad Umar responds to DG ISPR’s recent interview

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) General-Secretary Asad Umar in a press conference along with former Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari demanded the formation of a judicial commission on the alleged “foreign conspiracy” to oust former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan from power.

    Umar said that it would be better for the army and the country if the Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General (DG) Major-General Babar Iftikhar doesn’t find it necessary to interpret political affairs again and again.

    Umar said Khan will again write to Chief Justice of Pakistan Umar Ata Bandial to constitute a judicial panel and hold a transparent inquiry into the matter.

    “It was a clear threat. It was written that if the no-confidence motion fails, Pakistan would have to pay the price and if Imran Khan is shown the door, then Pakistan will be forgiven.”

    He said that it is the people’s right to know the facts and who was behind the move.

    Umar said that the party still wants this to be investigated by a judicial panel and an open hearing conducted.

    “[The] DG ISPR is right in saying that some of the military leadership representatives actually said that they cannot see any evidence of a conspiracy. Most of the civilian leadership said there was a conspiracy,” Umar said.

    Ever since Imran Khan said ‘absolutely not’ to the air bases, the conspiracy started: Mazari

    Meanwhile, Mazari said, “Ever since Imran Khan said ‘absolutely not’ to the air bases, the conspiracy started.”

    Mazari asked why the US diplomats met PTI MNA Noor Alam Khan.

    “We are compiling a list of who the US envoy met in Pakistan. Why did the ambassador meet Raja Riaz? Was it to discuss foreign affairs?”

    Military’s opinion on national security issues is not final word: Asad Umar

    Umar on Tuesday while speaking on Hum News political talk show with anchorperson Meher Bokhari said, “At the outset, you were asking me a question that since it is a matter of national security so the army has a final word on the issue, [but] with due respect, I don’t agree with this.”

    Umar’s comments were relevant to DG ISPR’s statement that no conspiracy was hatched to oust Khan. He said that the military leadership was present in the National Security Council (NSC) meeting and the participants were clearly briefed by the intelligence agencies.

    “[They were] briefed that there was no conspiracy or evidence of any kind [against the then government], nothing like that happened. Participants were told in detail that there was no evidence of any conspiracy,” said the DG ISPR.

  • ‘Military leadership’s stance is that Pervez Musharraf should return’: DG ISPR

    ‘Military leadership’s stance is that Pervez Musharraf should return’: DG ISPR

    Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar said on Tuesday that the military’s leadership believes that former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General (retd) Pervez Musharraf should return to Pakistan.

    “In such a situation, the institution and leadership’s stance is that Pervez Musharraf should return,” said DG ISPR in Dunya News programme, ‘On The Front with Kamran Shahid’.

    “Musharraf Saab is seriously ill. We have contacted his family. Once his family responds and the doctors allow him to travel, we can make the required arrangements.”

    Nawaz Sharif urges govt to facilitate Musharraf’s return

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif urged the government to facilitate Musharraf’s return to the country.

    “I have no personal enmity or animosity towards Pervez Musharraf. I don’t want anyone else to suffer the traumas I have had to endure for my loved ones. I pray to Almighty Allah for his health. If he wants to return to Pakistan, the government should facilitate him,” said Nawaz in a tweet.

    Intelligence agencies clarified in NSC meeting that there was no conspiracy against Khan: DG ISPR

    The military’s spokesperson expressed regret over the propaganda initiated against the army and the military leadership on social media. 

    DG ISPR once again reiterated that no conspiracy was hatched to oust former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan. He said that the military leadership was present in the National Security Council (NSC) meeting and the participants were clearly briefed by the intelligence agencies.

    “[They were] briefed that there was no conspiracy or evidence of any kind [against the then government], nothing like that happened. Participants were told in detail that there was no evidence of any conspiracy,” said the DG ISPR.

  • ‘Breath of fresh air’: Opposition reacts to DG ISPR’s press conference

    ‘Breath of fresh air’: Opposition reacts to DG ISPR’s press conference

    Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar’s presser on Thursday is being appreciated by the Opposition after weeks of political drama.

    Reacting to DG ISPR declaring that the word “conspiracy” had not been used in the statement issued after the March 31 meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari termed the news conference of the military spokesman a “breath of fresh air for democracy”.

    “It is [the] responsibility not only of every institution but every Pakistani to support democracy, constitution, and rule of law,” tweeted Bilawal.

    “Parliament , Judiciary & establishment transition from controversial to constitutional roles will not be easy. The answer to all of Pakistans problems is democracy, democracy and more democracy. If we continue on this path no power on earth can stop Pakistan’s progress,” said Bilawal.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz tweeted, “It is time to make you accountable for your condemnable efforts […] to play with the national security in a bid to save [your] regime.”

    “Face accountability, do not run away like always because this nation won’t let you this time,” said Maryam. Her words were directed at former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan.

    “You played a dangerous game to cling to power and used the NSC forum for your conspiracy plot. You built a fake narrative of absolutely not for the bases that were never demanded. You begged the establishment for an NRO and lied that they gave you those options,” tweeted Maryam.

    Addressing a press conference on the recently held 79th Formation Commanders’ Conference, the DG ISPR said he cannot discuss what was discussed in the NSC meeting, but noted that the word “conspiracy” was not used.

    DG ISPR said that the establishment did not put forth options before Khan. He, however, said that during the deadlock, Prime Minister’s Office contacted the military leadership to resolve the matter.

    “The political parties were not ready for talks with each other to end the deadlock at that time,” he said. “The army chief and DG ISI visited the PM’s Office at their request to play the role of mediator.”

  • ‘Army has nothing to do with politics’: DG ISPR

    ‘Army has nothing to do with politics’: DG ISPR

    Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG) Major General Babar Iftikhar on Thursday categorically stated that the Pakistan Army has nothing to do with politics.

    “I had clearly stated in my last press conference that the army has nothing to do with politics,” said General Iftikhar, adding, “It is this way and it will remain this way.”

    He also requested that there “be no unnecessary speculations about this now”.

    DG ISPR on Thursday briefed the media on an Indian “high-speed flying object” that fell in Mian Channu, Khanewal district on Wednesday night.

    “It was a supersonic flying object, most probably a missile, but it was certainly unarmed,” he said.

    “On March 9, at 6:43pm, a high-speed flying object was picked up inside the Indian territory by Air Defence Operations Centre of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). From its initial course, the object suddenly manoeuvred towards Pakistani territory and violated Pakistan’s air space, ultimately falling near Mian Channu at 6:50pm.”

    “When it fell, it damaged civilian properties,” he said, adding that no loss of life was reported.

    “It is important to highlight that the flight path of this object endangered many international and domestic passenger flights — both in Indian and Pakistani air space — as well as human life and property on the ground. Whatever caused this incident to happen, it is for the Indians to explain. It, nevertheless, shows their disregard for aviation safety and reflects very poorly on their technological prowess and procedural efficiency,” he said, adding that this could have resulted in a major aviation disaster.