Tag: military establishment

  • Who does Khan trust the most in PTI?

    Who does Khan trust the most in PTI?

    Imran Khan revealed the names while speaking to journalists in Adiala jail on Monday.

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) designated three PTI members, including Chief Misinter Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur and opposition leaders Omar Ayub and Shibli Faraz to talk with the military establishment.

    The former prime minister and PTI founder, Imran Khan, confirmed the names of these three individuals while speaking to journalists in Adiala jail during the hearing of the £190m corruption case.

    On the question of holding talks with establishment, the former prime minister said: “I have authorised Ali Amin, Omar Ayub, and Shibli Faraz for these dialogues.”

    Khan also made it clear in front of the media that only these three PTI leaders are designated to talk with the military establishment.

    Imran Khan also told journalists that he never disrespected state institutions, despite court orders asking him not speaking against them. He also said that these directives from the court are against his fundamental rights protected by the Constitution.

    Imran claimed that confusion regarding the name of the chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) will end today.

  • Punishments of military officers behind overthrowing Benazir Bhutto’s government upheld

    Punishments of military officers behind overthrowing Benazir Bhutto’s government upheld

    The Supreme Court of Pakistan has upheld the sentences of military officers involved in the conspiracy to overthrow the government of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

    A hearing was held in the Supreme Court against the punishment of the officers involved in the conspiracy to overthrow Benazir Bhutto’s government.

    Supreme Court judge Muneeb Akhtar read out the reserved judgment on February 15.

    The court dismissed the appeals against the sentences of Colonel (retd) Azad Minhas and Colonel (retd) Inayatullah.

    It should be noted that after the petitions were rejected by the Lahore High Court, the petitioners approached the Supreme Court in 2016.

    A Field Court Martial had sentenced Azad Minhas to two years, Inayatullah to four years imprisonment with hard labor and dismissal from service. 

    Both former army officers were prosecuted in 1995 for plotting to overthrow Benazir Bhutto’s government.

    The two officers, alongside retired Maj Gen Zaheerul Islam Abbasi, now deceased, and Brig Mustansir Billah, were arrested on September 26, 1995 on charges of “plotting to storm a meeting of corps commanders scheduled to be held on September 30 that year at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi”.

  • ‘I’ve been establishment ki aankh ka taara for 30 years’: Shehbaz Sharif

    ‘I’ve been establishment ki aankh ka taara for 30 years’: Shehbaz Sharif

    Talking to journalists in Islamabad on Saturday, outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that he has never denied his links with the establishment, calling himself the apple of their eyes. “When was my relationship with the establishment not good?”

    Last week, Shehbaz lamented being touted as an “establishment’s man”.

    “I was called the establishment’s man, but I did not care about those taunts. I never met army chiefs for personal reasons; the only motive behind those meetings was to ensure that the establishment and governments take the country forward together.”

    Shehbaz Sharif said this during a farewell ceremony at the Prime Minister’s house. Senior reporters, journalists, and anchors came to the event.

    On this occasion, the prime minister was questioned about why, in addition to encouraging investment in the nation, he was attributing General Asim Munir’s leadership to the Bhara Kahu Bypass project’s success

    He said in response that the army chief was to be credited for ensuring the project’s prompt completion.

    On the other hand, Former Information Minister Maryam Aurangzeb has explained that Shehbaz Sharif’s statement about being the apple of the establishment’s eye, he said it satirically. 
    Maryam Aurangzeb further clarified that Shahbaz Sharif said, “If I am the apple of the eye, then why was I in Attock Fort, Attock Jail, Adiala Jail, and Kot Lakhpat Jail.” She added that Shahbaz Sharif went to jail during both General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s time and General Musharraf’s time.

  • No more deals with TTP; army determined to get rid of terrorism

    The army’s top brass has vowed to eliminate terrorism, extremism and instability in Pakistan by following a “whole-of-the-system” approach which was approved by the government on Friday.

    In a Corps Commanders’ Conference held in Rawalpindi, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir said that military leadership is cognizant of the full spectrum of the challenges posed by terrorism and it “resolves to shoulder its constitutionally mandated responsibilities with the support of the resilient people of Pakistan”.

    The top tier of the army reiterated the commitment of military forces to fully support national responses against internal and external threats. 

    A day earlier, in a briefing given to the members of the National Assembly (NA), COAS Munir said that negotiations with militants in the past helped terrorists regroup in the country, referring to the Imran Khan government that signed a ceasefire with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

    Earlier, National Security Committee (NSC) also decided to kickstart an all-out comprehensive operation against militant outfits. 

    Since government talks with the TTP broke down in November, the militant group has intensified its attacks across Pakistan including attacks on the police.

  • ‘Investigation should be held on why Arshad Sharif had to leave Pakistan’: DG ISPR

    ‘Investigation should be held on why Arshad Sharif had to leave Pakistan’: DG ISPR

    Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Babar Iftikhar, has said that the military has requested the federal government to conduct a “high-level investigation” into the killing of senior journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya.

    On October 23, Sharif was shot dead near Nairobi, Kenya, by the local police. The local law enforcing authorities have termed the killing a case of ‘mistaken identity’.

    While talking to 24 News, DG ISPR said, “We have requested the government to hold a high-level investigation so that all these speculations can be put to rest.”

    Gen Iftikhar stressed that it is important to find out why the journalist left Pakistan, where did he live all this time, and what circumstances led to this incident.

    “Investigation should be held that why Arshad Sharif had to leave Pakistan,” the DG ISPR said while adding that we have to put an end to the speculations.

    He regretted that people are accusing institutions, stressing that the military has also requested the government “to take legal action against all these people who are leveling allegations without any evidence”.

    “This is why it is most upsetting that his death is being used for baseless conversations and fingers are being raised on it. We just have to see who is using this unfortunate incident, who is the beneficiary of this thing,”‘ General Iftikhar pointed out.

    Describing Arshad Sharif as a “very professional man”, the General observed that everyone is sad about his tragic death.

    Earlier in the day, General Headquarters (GHQ) asked the government to constitute a high-level panel to look into the tragic circumstances of Arshad’s death.

  • ‘Disappointing’, Pak Army says Khan should not ‘scandalise’ Army Chief selection

    ‘Disappointing’, Pak Army says Khan should not ‘scandalise’ Army Chief selection

    Pakistani Army expressing extreme displeasure over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s recent statement against the establishment and said that the institution was “aghast” over it.

    “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. 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,” said the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

    “Senior politicians trying to stir controversies on 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,” read the statement.

    “Politicising the senior leadership of Pakistan Army and scandalizing the process of selection of 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.”

    Khan on Sunday, September 4, alleged that Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif and Zardari wanted to appoint their favourite as COAS because if a “strong and patriotic army chief” came, they would be questioned about their corruption.

    ‘Hamari fauj taggri hai’: Shehbaz, Zardari, Shujaat react to Khan’s anti-military remarks

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan People’s Party’s (PPP) Co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari, and veteran politician Chaudhary Shujaat Hussain have slammed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan for his remarks on the incoming Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

    Criticising the federal government on delaying elections, Imran Khan said that the government is buying time to “appoint an army chief of their own choice.”

    Questioning the incumbent , Khan asked “Why are they [government] afraid of fresh elections”? He said that it was because they knew that they would be eliminated in transparent elections.

    “The army chief of this country should be on merit. The one who is on merit should become the next army chief,” said Khan.

    Reactions of Shehbaz, Zardari and Shujaat over Khan’s remarks

    Reacting to Khan’s statement, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif tweeted that Niazi’s despicable utterances to “malign institutions” are touching new levels every day.

    “He is now indulging in direct mud-slinging & poisonous allegations against Armed Forces & its leadership. His nefarious agenda is clearly to disrupt & undermine Pakistan,” tweeted the premier.

    PPP Co-Chairperson Asif Ali Zardari said that they will not allow the institutions and generals to become controversial for Khan’s lust for power.

    “Today everyone has come to know who the man and the beast are. This person [Imran Khan] has taken a contract from somewhere to weaken this country which cannot happen in our lifetime,” tweeted Zardari.

    Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain reacting to Khan’s statement said, “In Pakistan every General is a patriot. From a soldier to general no one needs a certificate of patriotism from anyone. The country will not allow any one to involve the establishment in their jalsa for their own politics.”

    Shujaat concluded by saying that the Pakistan army is strong.

  • PEMRA imposes ban on live telecast of Imran Khan’s speeches

    PEMRA imposes ban on live telecast of Imran Khan’s speeches

    The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has imposed a ban with immediate effect on the live telecast of speeches of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Khan after he threatened the police, bureaucracy, and Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Zeba Chaudhry.

    PEMRA issued a six-page notification stating it has been observed that Imran Khan is continuously levelling baseless accusations in his speeches and statements against national institutions and spreading hatred in his speeches.

    According to PEMRA, the ban has been put in place under Section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002. PEMRA also warned news channels of strict action if the directives were not followed. 

    According to various news reports, the government has lodged a first information report (FIR) against Khan under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for threatening a judge and two top police officials during his speech yesterday (August 20). 

    Be ready, we will take action against you: Khan

    On August 20, addressing a party rally in the federal capital’s F-9 park to express solidarity with Shahbaz Gill, Khan threatened Additional District and Sessions Judge (ADSJ) Zeba Chaudhry.

    “Zeba! Be ready, we will take action against you.”

    ADSJ Zeba Chaudhry had approved Gill’s two-day physical remand at the request of the capital police.

    Khan threatened that he would “not spare” Islamabad’s inspector-general (IG), deputy inspector general (DIG).

    “IGP and DIG! We will not spare you.” 

    He further said that if a case can be registered against Gill, then Fazlur Rehman, Nawaz Sharif, and Rana Sanaullah will also face judicial proceedings.

    “They [coalition government] are trying to scare us by torturing Gill,” he said, adding that this is a “decisive moment” for the people of the country.

    We did nothing: Police tells Khan

    Khan again called on the “neutrals” (military establishment) to stand with the nation rather than the “gang of thieves”, in reference to the ruling coalition. He said he wanted to ask the neutrals if they were “really neutral”. He also alleged that the Islamabad police was taking orders for action against his party leaders from ‘someone’.

    “When I asked the police to tell me what did they do to Shahbaz Gill’ they said: ‘We did nothing, we got a boot from behind to follow orders’,” Khan said while announcing to move the Supreme Court against the alleged torture of Gill.

  • ‘Refrain from commenting on Pakistan’s nuclear programme’: Gen Nadeem Raza responds to Khan’s comment

    ‘Refrain from commenting on Pakistan’s nuclear programme’: Gen Nadeem Raza responds to Khan’s comment

    Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Nadeem Raza on Monday asked people to refrain from commenting on Pakistan’s nuclear programme.

    “In nuclear countries, only the National Command Authority has the right to comment on strategic programmes,” said General Nadeem Raza.

    The military’s response comes a week after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan in an interview said that if Pakistan goes bankrupt, then the country will have to face denuclearisation, predicting that the country would then be divided into three parts.

    Khan during the interview said that the establishment needs to make the right decisions and if they don’t, “the army will be destroyed”.

    Read more: Khan says Pakistan ke teen hissay hongay, Shehbaz warns him not to cross limits

    General Nadeem Raza Monday stressed that people should avoid making baseless and unnecessary comments about Pakistan’s nuclear programme.

    “Pakistan is a responsible and confident nuclear country,” the deputy chairman of the National Command Authority said during a seminar at the National University of Sciences & Technology (NUST).

    Read more: ’Threat to national security’, PEMRA bans Bol show after Khan’s interview

    “Pakistan will not compromise on its nuclear programme. Pakistan’s nuclear capability guarantees the defence of the homeland as well as its integrity; it also has the complete support of the political parties and the masses,” said Gen Raza.

  • ‘Establishment ne tumhara number block keeya hai’: Maryam Nawaz tells IK

    ‘Establishment ne tumhara number block keeya hai’: Maryam Nawaz tells IK

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Vice President Maryam Nawaz on Sunday took a jibe at Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan and said that the way Khan was “crying” shows that the “establishment has blocked [his] number”.

    “Let me tell you that the number you are trying to call has been changed. Whenever you try to call on that number, you get a message that you do not have access to this facility anymore”, said Maryam.

    Maryam’s comments come after Imran Khan’s claim that the establishment is messaging him but he is not ready to talk to them. Khan said that he has blocked their numbers. 

    “This liar [Imran Khan] has crossed all limits of dishonesty. Allah Almighty humiliated him and removed him from power.” 

    “This inflation-monger Khan is saying today that inflation has gone up. In fact, when he says that inflation has increased, he is presenting a charge sheet against himself. When he says that the dollar has gone up, he presents a charge sheet against himself as [this is his government’s fault],” she said.

    “If you have a video, don’t wait for any accident. You will see that Nawaz Sharif will provide you more security than even Shehbaz Sharif,” said Maryam to Khan.

  • ‘Elections can be held before next appointment of COAS’: Khawaja Asif

    ‘Elections can be held before next appointment of COAS’: Khawaja Asif

    The newly-appointed Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who is currently in London, hinted at early elections by saying, “It is possible that we [government] hold elections before the [new] Chief of Army Staff (COAS)’s appointment [which is in November]”

    In an interview with BBC Urdu, the federal minister added, “It is also possible that the [current] caretaker government is gone by then and the new government is in power before November.”

    About the extension of the current COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Asif stated Bajwa had already clarified that he does not want his tenure to be extended. He said the government welcomed his announcement.

    It is pertinent to mention that Bajwa’s three-year tenure will come to an end on November 29 this year. He was given an extension by the former government in 2019.

    ‘If Lt Gen Faiz Hameed’s name is on seniority list, can consider him for the post’: Khawaja Asif

    Upon asking whether Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) considers Lt Gen Faiz Hameed’s name for the post of COAS, Asif disclosed if his [Faiz] name is on the seniority list, it will definitely be considered.

    “If the defence minister brings the names of five officers to the prime minister, and the army recommends Lt Gen Faiz Hameed’s name as well, then I don’t think the defence ministry or the Prime Minister (PM) have the space left to say anything”, he said while adding that “all names on the list will be considered.”

    When asked about previous PML-N’s claims that Hameed, was behind former PM Nawaz Sharif’s ouster, Asif said it was unfortunate that the party’s politics were “dragged into this or red lines were mixed in our past experiences”.

    The army should not become a topic of discussion in the public domain, he said, adding that “they say names should not be taken at the party level.”

    Asif said he believed the process for appointing COAS should be “institutionalised” similar to the judiciary.

    “This process should 100 per cent be based on merit. This is a big and very important issue”, he was quoted saying by BBC.

    There are several reports that suggest that former PM Imran Khan wanted Lt Gen Faiz Hameed to take over the post of COAS.

    ‘Imran Khan wanted to bring an army chief of his choice’: Khawaja Asif

    During the interview, the minister claimed that former PM Imran Khan wanted to bring an army chief of his choice from the list of names recommended to him by the army.

    About Imran Khan’s anti-establishment statements, he termed them “shameful”, called Khan “paranoid” and said: “He wants to stay in power and for institutions to provide him with crutches.”

    Moreover, Asif alleged that the establishment had brought Imran as an alternative to traditional politicians. “The establishment thought he [Imran Khan] is new to politics and will bring “freshness” to the politics of Pakistan,” he said.

    ‘Imran Khan didn’t interfere in army’s internal matter’: Fawad Chaudhry

    While reacting to Asif’s recent interview, former Information Minister and PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry clarified that from day one former PM Imran Khan didn’t interfere in the army’s matters.

    “We have also hoped that the sector [army] remains strong”, he said while adding that Khan and Bajwa always shared a respectful relationship and both of them agreed to each other’s suggestions.

    About Khan’s preference for COAS, Chaudhry said, “If Asif thinks that way, it is his personal opinion.”

    Moreover, the PTI leader hailed the revelations made by Asif. Chaudhry said that there are some people in PML-N who wants early elections and understand this government can’t continue like this.