Army chief has talked about staying away from politics which is a good omen: Khawaja Asif
ISLAMABAD, Oct 07 (SABAH): Federal Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif has said that army chief has talked about staying away from politics which is a good omen. He said if current army chief talks about following the constitution, then I think it is a puff of fresh air.
Khawaja Muhammad Asif expressed these views during an interview with a private TV channel. He further said, “We should understand that political or civilian power is not connected to army chief at all as this is what Constitution says. If Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa is saying this should happen then I would say it is a good omen and I am ready to rely upon this, why I should doubt about and roadmap should be prepared regarding this.”
The minister said that we have to return back to the book of Constitution of Pakistan as there is no other way. He said, “Imran Khan’s war is war of gaining power for himself while our war is war of survival of the country. If something is vital that is only country and its survival.”
He went on to say that Imran Khan has no confidence in the masses and his voters that is why he has been continuously talking about given authority to appoint army chief because he considers it a guarantee for coming into power.
Matters of Cypher, Toshakhan gifts and 19 million pounds received from Britain should be taken to logical end, he said, and added Imran Khan is making hue and cry because there are corruption cases against him. He said that Imran Khan can also be arrested. “190 million pounds amount of money owned by the State. High Commission sent this amount to account of Supreme Court of Pakistan but it was sent to such an account where there was already Rs 460 billion liability and it was used in its adjustment,” he said. “It is widely held idea that no one should rely on whatever Imran Khan says as he has not final word in his dictionary and can take turn at the any moment. Even PTI workers don’t know that Imran Khan will abide by what he is saying today in the days to come,” he said.
“One thing is crystal-clear that he is desperate to again come into power and for this he can do anything including bowing down in the feet of army chief; or extending olive branches or through mediation of the president besides he may even offer the army chief an extension and when extension will be given then what will be situation after it and who possibly could be the successor,” Khawaja Asif said.
He said there are two challenges at the moment; one is flood and other is economic situation which are dangerous for our existence and added Imran Khan worsened economy of the country and when they were repairing; the calamity of flood hit country.
He maintained, “We will come out of this situation with the blessings of Almighty Allah. Imran Khan never ever talked about flood issue or economy. If PTI again return back to national assembly then history of 2014 will be repeated. If PTI goes into assembly back then his claim about PTI will prove that it was shame-proof.”
Khawaja Asif said that the chairman PTI violates the Constitution and law on daily basis, adding that he violated the same when he was prime minister of Pakistan. He added it was the awkward situation in 75 years history of the country on the night when no-confidence motion came against him.
All the representatives of the nation should decide in this regard so that no adventurer like Imran course could be stopped in the future. Until and unless the politicians will not utilize the forum of Parliament, their disgrace will continue as it is, on the lines of previous 75 years.
Imran Khan is of view that he is very popular among the public, adding if he relies on this then why he wants to appoint an army chief according to his own will.
Khawaja Asif said that it should be the prerogative of the institution to send names while suggesting according to the seniority, adding that prime minister will pick one name from them. He said that being the defense minister the institution will send names to him and he will take this dossier to the prime minister and then it will be the duty of the prime minister to select someone from these dossiers. Khawaja Asif said that he has fulfilled this responsibility in 2013 and 2016, adding that both times 5 names were sent, adding that there is no bar regarding the suggestion of names but these are traditions which are followed.
Khawaja Asif said that if Imran Khan comes to Islamabad along with long march then there is chance of clash but we will stop him. He said that the last war will be won by Pakistani masses and Pakistani constitution, adding that no individual will win this war, adding that if someone will face defeat it will be of Imran Khan’s.