No one including Imran Khan should pass on controversial statement against army top brass: Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD, Sep 5 (SABAH): Minister for Defense Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that no one including former prime minister and Chairman Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Imran Khan should pass on controversial statement against army top brass.

While addressing a press conference at Press Information Department, Islamabad on Monday, Khawaja Muhammad Asif said that Imran Khan talked about the appointment of Army Chief during political gathering [which is not a good omen].  When such matters will be taken up in the political gatherings then it will damage the process of this appointment, he added.

The minister said that since creation of Pakistan, India has been targeting the country’s economy and defence whereas Imran Khan also doing the same. His polices proved to be detrimental to the country’s economy, Asif said, adding Khan has been politicizing the appointments in Army since October last year which he is still keeping continue.

He said since vote of no-confidence against the former premier, Imran Khan has been criticizing the Armed Forces as each and every thing was justified up till the moment he was in power and as soon as he became out of the loop; everything was converted into wrong, adding ironically Khan used to say he needed [someone] patronage.  

Khawaja Asif said, “A few days ago, the chairman PTI said that the incumbent government wants to appoint an army chief according to its will so that it can save itself from corruption. Imran is pointing fingers at some officers among the three star officers of Army who will be protecting corruption.”

He said that while taking stock of legal aspects, protracted actions to be taken against the chairman PTI in the days to come, adding that of which some actions have already been taken against him. “Our legal experts are working over it and they will soon taken action in this regard,” he said.

Khawaja Asif said that Imran’s Foreign Funding Case highlighted numerous economic anomalies and this case will create hardships for them.

He said the country’s Armed Forces have rendered innumerable sacrifices in the war on terrorism and at present they are engaged in the relief and rescue efforts in the flood ravaged areas.