Tag: Qamar Javed Bajwa

  • ‘A large part of the army wants elections’: Sheikh Rasheed

    ‘A large part of the army wants elections’: Sheikh Rasheed

    Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has said that the establishment wants early elections to take place in the country.

    “The army itself is saying that elections should be held. A large part of the army is of the positive opinion that elections should be held,” said Rasheed, adding that a preception is being given that the military establishment is backing the sitting government.

    Rasheed was speaking to Channel 24.

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

    Veterans of Pakistan, an organisation of former military officers, held a press conference in Islamabad on June 6, where Brig (R) Mian Mehmood claimed that when the situation in Pakistan started to deteriorate, their team led by General Ali Quli went to meet the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

    “General Bajwa very clearly promised that he would hold elections in 90 days to make the situation in Pakistan better. Today we ask Gen Bajwa: where did his promises go?”

  • ‘Tum apnay janazay ka bandobast karo’: Retired general gives life threats to journalist for asking a question

    ‘Tum apnay janazay ka bandobast karo’: Retired general gives life threats to journalist for asking a question

    Veterans of Pakistan, an organisation of former military officers, held a press conference in Islamabad yesterday (June 6). A video from the conference went viral where retired Lieutenant General Asif Yasin Malik threatened journalist Azaz Syed for asking a question.

    Azaz asked, “General Saab, do you think that generals should give back the land given to them because of the present economic conditions of the country?”

    “Tum apnay janazay ka bandobast karo,” said General Malik to Azaz Syed. [Translation: You should prepare for your funeral].

    “Stop it,” General Malik shouted.

    Azaz interjected and said, ” Sir I am asking you a question, this is a matter of the country, you just did a press conference.”

    It is being reported that during the press conference, Brig (R) Mian Mehmood claimed that when the situation in Pakistan started to deteriorate, their team led by General Ali Quli went to meet the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

    “General Bajwa very clearly promised that he would hold elections in 90 days to make the situation in Pakistan better. Today we ask Gen Bajwa: where did his promises go?”

    A denial has been issued by military sources to BBC Urdu that no such promise [polls in 90 days] was made by the army chief. The military sources also told BBC Urdu that nobody can use the army for politics by using the name of ‘veterans’.

  • Khan stopped me from meeting ‘boss’, says Sheikh Rasheed

    Khan stopped me from meeting ‘boss’, says Sheikh Rasheed

    Former Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed has claimed that former Prime Minister Imran Khan stopped him from going to meet “boss”. Rasheed was alluding to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

    Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada Kay Sath’, Rasheed said, “I will complain to boss about the Rangers. It was not the responsibility of the Rangers to use tear gas at protesters. Police could have done it but the Rangers doing it was wrong. They have a name and status. They should not ruin their reputation like this.”

    Rasheed was referring to the May 25 face-off between the police, Rangers and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters during the Imran Khan-led ‘Azadi March’.

    Anchorperson Shahzeb Khanzada asked if he [Rasheed] had called “boss” to complain and whether his number was blocked or not.

    “My number is open,” said Rasheed, adding that his number was open for all.

    When asked if he had contacted the boss, Rasheed responded, “Khan asked me not to go to meet boss. He stopped me. So I didn’t go. I can go to his house anytime but Imran Khan specially asked me not to go to his house.”

    “I do not want to disregard someone’s trust [in me]. Khan told me twice that Sheikh Rasheed, there are people involved in talks so you don’t go and meet him. I know everything. Where, when and what the negotiations were. I am telling you, I am still the most well-informed person of all. And this is the very reason I am telling the present government your days are numbered,” said Rasheed.

  • ‘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.

  • ‘Why we opened the court in the middle of the night’, Islamabad High Court issues clarification

    ‘Why we opened the court in the middle of the night’, Islamabad High Court issues clarification

    The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has clarified opening its doors late on the evening of April 9, 2022 when the process of a no-confidence motion against former Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan was going on in the National Assembly (NA).

    In a statement, the court said, “The filing of petitions late in the evening on April 9, 2022, has been misreported and queries have been raised whether petitions can be presented after the notified court timings.”

    On Saturday, there were rumours that a petition was filed in the IHC, asking the court to restrain Khan from de-notifying Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa from his post.

    IHC said the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) President approached the court and requested the court to implement the Supreme Court’s April 7 order. The IHC statement then referred to the petitions, including a “pre-emptive” constitutional petition that sought to restrain the then prime minister from de-notifying the army chief.

    “As a constitutional court, the Islamabad High Court has ensured that cases relating to extreme urgency are presented at any time after the notified timings,” the high court said, adding: “The honourable chief justice, if satisfied that there exists extreme urgency, may order fixing of the case at any time.”

    “A petition regarding extreme urgency could be presented at any time after the notified court timings and it could also be fixed for hearing subject to the satisfaction of the chief justice that circumstances exist for doing so,” the court said further.

  • ‘Pack of lies, typical propaganda’: ISPR dismisses story that Khan removed Bajwa

    ‘Pack of lies, typical propaganda’: ISPR dismisses story that Khan removed Bajwa

    The Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR)  has dismissed BBC Urdu’s story that claims that Former Prime Minister Imran Khan was pushing for the removal of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

    “BBC Urdu story published today is totally baseless and a pack of lies. The typical propaganda story lacks any credible, authentic and relevant source and violates basic journalistic ethos,” the statement issued by ISPR read.

    “There is no truth in the fake story whatsoever and clearly seems part of an organised disinformation campaign. The matter is being taken up with BBC authorities,” it added.

    The story that was published in BBC Urdu claims that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa was removed by PM Imran Khan last night but the notification couldn’t be issued from ministry of interior. The story further claims that an emergency petition was filed by Advocate Adnan Iqbal  in the Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday, seeking to restrain Prime Minister Imran Khan from de-notifying General Qamar Javed Bajwa.

    It was also written in the story that the COAS and the former PM had a 45 minutes meeting in PM house. However, no names were mentioned in the story.

    As per Journalist Salman Masood, “COAS Gen Bajwa did not visit the Prime Minister’s Office last evening.”

    The Opposition’s no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Imran Khan succeeded on Sunday, April 10, with 174 members voting in favour of the motion. The magic number to oust Khan was ‘172’. The National Assembly debated on the matter for more than 12 hours and the political situation in the country took a critical turn.

    PM Khan was voted out as Prime Minister of Pakistan a little after midnight with 174 votes.

  • Did the establishment fact-check PM Khan?

    Did the establishment fact-check PM Khan?

    In an exclusive interview with ARY News’ senior anchorperson Arshad Sharif on April 1, Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan was asked about options given to him by the Opposition to which the premier said that he does not think he should talk to people like Shehbaz Sharif.

    However, PM Khan revealed that he was given three options by the establishment: resignation as PM, no-confidence vote, or early elections.

    In response to PM Khan’s claim, sources in the military establishment said that the military leadership did not bring the Opposition’s options to PM Khan but that the government called the top brass and asked for a meeting to discuss the ongoing political scenario, reported Fakhar Durrani for The News. According to the report, PM Khan rejected the options to resign or vote of n-confidence and agreed to dissolving the assemblies and holding early elections.

    The military sources told The News that after discussion with the PM, both the army chief and DG ISI met the Opposition leadership on the same day and conveyed the government’s message. The Opposition did not agree to any of the three options and rejected them.

  • PM Khan, army chief reach Balochistan’s Naushki to spend a day with troops

    PM Khan, army chief reach Balochistan’s Naushki to spend a day with troops

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa arrived in Balochistan on Tuesday to pay tribute to the martyrs in Panjgur and Naushki.

    The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement that the army chief will spend the day with troops and also meet those who repulsed the attack on February 2.

    “COAS will be given [a] detailed update on [the] security situation in the area and operational preparedness of the formation to counter terrorist activities,” it said, adding that the army chief will also “meet troops who participated in repulsing [a] terrorist attack on Feb 2.”

    It was reported that PM Khan will visit Naushki where he will be briefed about the operation against terrorists. The PM will meet Balochistan chief minister and the governor in Quetta and will preside over a meeting on security issues.

    On Saturday, the security forces had completed the clearance operations, which were launched after terrorists attacked their camps in Panjgur and Nushki districts on Wednesday evening.

    At least 20 terrorists were killed during the operations while nine security personnel embraced martyrdom, the military’s media wing had added.

    In Naushki, the ISPR had said, nine terrorists were killed while four security forces personnel, including an officer, embraced shahadat during the “shootout with terrorists while repulsing the attack”. In Panjgur, the security forces had repulsed the terrorist attack after an intense exchange of fire during which some terrorists fled the area, it had added.

  • PM Khan says he hasn’t decided whether COAS Bajwa will get an extension in November

    PM Khan says he hasn’t decided whether COAS Bajwa will get an extension in November

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan during a one-on-one meeting with Dunya TV Islamabad Bureau Chief Khawar Ghumman, said that he had so far not thought about an extension in the tenure of Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General (Gen) Qamar Javed Bajwa.

    “The current year has just started and November is far away. Then why there is worry about extension in the tenure of the army chief,” said PM Khan.

    When asked about rumours of a possible deal between the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the establishment to send Khan’s government packing and whether he felt threatened in any way, the PM said he personally was not under any kind of pressure. He added that he enjoyed the support of government allies and expressed the confidence that his government would complete its mandated five years.

    Terming Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) defeat in the recent local government elections in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) “a big loss”, and when asked how the PTI planned to ensure electoral success in local government elections in Punjab, the prime minister showed confidence in Chief Minister (CM) Punjab Usman Buzdar and hoped that his party would have a better showing when polls were held in Punjab.

    Talking about his party’s quest for accountability, the PM said major Opposition figures had not yet been tried on corruption charges and still walked free because of weak prosecution.

    He said the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) take cases before the court but they were not being prosecuted.

  • ‘PM Khan is the authority in appointing the DG ISI’: Fawad Chaudhry

    ‘PM Khan is the authority in appointing the DG ISI’: Fawad Chaudhry

    Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Tuesday confirmed the meeting between Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa held last night and said, “The PM and COAS had a meeting last night, the army and government share an ideal relationship.”

    “Gen Bajwa and the prime minister have close and good relations … they are ideal relations between the civilian and military leadership,” he said, adding that the Prime Minister’s Office would “never take a step that will disrespect the army and vice versa”.

    Commenting on the appointment of the Director-General (DG) of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, Chaudhry said, “PM Khan is the authority in appointing the DG ISI,” further adding that “all legal methods will be adopted in the appointment of the new director-general”.

    It has been a week since Lieutenant (Lt) General Nadeem Ahmed Anjum was appointed as DG ISI, the post previously held by Lt Gen Faiz Hameed.

    On October 9, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President Shehbaz Sharif, calling out the government for failing to resolve public issues, said, “PM Khan is improper for the handling of sensitive matters,” adding that “history is a witness to sacrifices rendered by the institution responsible for Pakistan’s defence. Even Modi could not harm it the way Imran did,” reported Dawn.

    Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said reports were circulating on media for the last couple of days about the army, which he said was an important institution for Pakistan. He hailed the “unity of command” and the public support the army enjoyed but went on to say that the premier had “harmed that institution”.