Pakistan’s future only lies in democracy, Insha’Allah & martial law will never be imposed in Pakistan: DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar
RAWALPINDI, April 14 (SABAH): Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Major General Babar Iftikhar has Pakistan’s future only lies in democracy, Insha’Allah and martial law will never be imposed in Pakistan. He said that army has nothing to do with politics of the country. DG ISPR said that the word “conspiracy” was not used in the statement issued after a meeting of the National Security Committee last month. DG ISPR categorically stated that Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa is not seeking an extension and will neither accept one and complete his tenure on 29th November this year and will retire from position. He said that whatever happened in recent days in Pakistan it was according to the law and constitution, adding that the institutions are doing their work and from where army has come in this process, adding that how army could give NRO to anyone. He said that if United Stated had demanded airbases then the response of Pakistan would have been the same which was expressed former prime minister Imran Khan in an interview with a foreign TV channel. He said that when the elections will be held and what will happen in future it will be decided by the politicians and it is not out duty.
Major General Babar Iftikhar answered the questions of the journalists while addressing a press conference on Thursday. The journalist had asked the army leadership’s stance on Imran Khan’s claim of a foreign conspiracy to oust him and whether the NSC had endorsed such a claim.
“As far as military response about the NSC meeting is considered, that stance, in that meeting was fully given, and then a statement was issued … which clearly says what was concluded in that meeting.
“The words used are in front of you … as I said … the words used are clear. Is there any word such as conspiracy used in it? I think not.”
Major General Babar Iftikhar said the minutes of the NSC meeting can be declassified if the government decides.
In another answer, the ISPR DG revealed that the former prime minister had approached the army chief to help find a solution to the political crisis.
“It is unfortunate that our political leadership was not ready to talk. So the army chief and DG ISI went to the PMO and three scenarios were discussed,” he said, recalling that one was that the no-confidence motion should be held as it was. The other were that the prime minister resigns or the no-confidence motion was retracted and the assemblies were dissolved. “No option from the establishment was given,” Major General Babar Iftikhar clarified.
He is briefing journalists on the recently held formation commanders conference at the General Headquarters on the recent disinformation campaign against the smear campaign against the military.
The ISPR DG rubbished rumours doing round on social media about the establishment meeting opposition parties. “There is no truth to this,” he asserted.
“I heard these things… Investigative journalism has gone forward a lot. If someone has evidence, bring it forward. There were no such contacts, no deal… For godsake, there is nothing like this,” he said.
Major General Babar Iftikhar asked political parties and the public not to drag the Pakistan Army into politics. The DG ISPR said any effort to create a rift between people and the armed forces is against national interest. He welcomed constructive criticism, but pointed out that a “malicious campaign” is being run against the army and its leadership.
Major General Babar Iftikhar said that the formation commanders expressed confidence in the steps taken for the country’s security, especially on account of international security and the Pakistan Army’s role in upholding the rule of law.
“All of them agreed that democracy, strength of institutions and rule of law and all the institutions working within the constitutional limits is the guarantor of national interest,” DG ISPR said.
He went on to say that the nation’s support is the core of the army’s strength and without it, the concept of national security is meaningless.
Major General Babar Iftikhar said that that is why any intentional or unintentional effort that becomes the reason of creating a rift between the nation and armed forces is against the broader national interest.
“An organised malicious propaganda is being run against the Pakistan Army and its leadership. Even fake audio messages of different retired senior military officials are being created using a deep-fake technology to create a divide between the nation and armed forces. “This is illegal, unethical and totally against national interest,” he said. He then requested the public and political parties to not drag the army into politics.
“We want to stay out of it. Keep us out of this discourse,” he said, adding that this campaign didn’t get successful ever in the past nor will it in future.
Responding to another question, the DG ISPR reiterated that the army has nothing to do with politics. “There is no interference by the Army in any by-election or local bodies election.” He said that it was said that “calls were received”, therefore evidence should be brought to the fore if there is any.
The ISPR DG clarified that the word “conspiracy” was not used in the statement issued after a meeting of the National Security Committee last month. His clarification came in response to a journalist’s question. He asked about the military leadership’s stance on former prime minister Imran Khan’s claims that it acknowledged the “foreign conspiracy” in the NSC meeting, Gen Iftikhar said that he cannot discuss what was said in the meeting. He, however, said that the stance of the military leadership was conveyed in the meeting as well as the statement issued after it. “Whatever the meeting concluded is present in the statement.”
He said that Pakistan’s military agencies are working day and night against such plots and will not let them get successful.
Responding to a question about the BBC report on events that took place at the Prime Minister’s House on the night of Imran Khan’s ouster from power, Major General Babar Iftikhar said that it is a “false story” and nothing but a pack of lies”.
“The Army has nothing to do with the political process that took place a few days back in the country,” he iterated. “Do not drag the army into political matters.”
On the ongoing propaganda against the security forces, the DG ISPR said that the concerned departments of the government were taking action against it and maintained that they have also traced foreign linkages during the probe into the malicious campaign.
“We have collected data around the malicious campaign against institutions. The campaigns started locally and have expanded globally. We will share our analysis in the coming days.” He also urged the people to avoid sharing such reports without confirming them.
The DG ISPR rubbished rumours doing round on social media about the establishment meeting opposition parties. “There is no truth to this,” he asserted. “I heard these things… Investigative journalism has gone forward a lot. If someone has evidence, bring it forward. There were no such contacts, no deal… For Gods’ sake, there is nothing like this,” he said, further refuting BBC’s story on the army chief meeting Imran Khan on the night of April 9.
“I said it that day too that whatever political process has run, army had no role or interference at any stage.” Major General Babar Iftikhar added that there were rumours about the army chief’s extension too. “Let me put this to rest. COAS is neither seeking extension nor will he accept it. He will be retiring on time on November 22. “This is character assassination without evidence,” he added.
Major General Babar Iftikhar continued that the word neutral doesn’t properly describe the army’s stance. He said this in answer to a question. “[The word] apolitical is better. In our constitutional and legal setup, no kind of political affiliation or interference should exist.” He said that there had always been demands that army shouldn’t have a role in politics. “Today, it is being given a real form.”
The DG ISPR recalled that when the COAS last appeared in the security committee’s meeting, he told all the political leaders that the army wanted to keep itself away from politics. “In another meeting in GB, when all the political leaders were present, the army chief had reiterated that we [army] wanted to stay away from politics. We don’t have anything to do with politics… I think this is very good decision and it will remain so,” he added.
Major General Babar Iftikhar also clarified that the judiciary was free when a question regarding courts opening Sunday night was asked. “If something has happened it was their decision… Pakistan’s sustenance relies on democracy and to strengthen it is everyone’s duty.”
The ISPR DG then said “absolutely not” to possibility of a martial law being imposed. “So our external challenges are so much that if our army could tackle those alone it would be a success. It is not fair to blame an institution which is always working for Pakistan’s security.”
Meanwhile, talking about the former premier’s visit to Russia, Major General Babar Iftikhar confirmed that the army was onboard on it and was taken into confidence. “There was institutional input that he should go. It was in no one’s wildest dreams that they [Russia] would announce war when the prime minister was there, which was obviously very embarrassing.”
When a journalist asked him about army bases, the DG ISPR said that the ex-prime minister was asked about giving bases to US in an interview. “If a demand like that would have been made, the army would have had the same stance as the PM.
“But the reality is that they never asked for bases,” he revealed, adding that had they asked, the army would have had the same stance as the PM.
Coming to the US cable, that Imran Khan purported contained a foreign conspiracy to toppled his government, the ISPR DG explained that demarches were given, not just on conspiracies, but for many reasons. “It is a diplomatic procedure.”
On the other hand, answering a question on Imran Khan’s comments about Pakistan’s nuclear assets at the PTI power show in Peshawar o n Wednesday night, he cautioned everyone to be careful when talking about nuclear assets. “They aren’t associated to any one political leadership,” he said, adding Pakistan had one of the best systems and there was no such threat to them.
Talking about the current political situation in the country, Gen Iftikhar said that the army couldn’t afford to decide which government to have smooth relations with. “This is not a choice, governments are elected, it is their job to tell us what to do.”
He also clarified that the COAS didn’t attend Shehbaz Sharif’s oath-taking ceremony because he was ill and even he did not arrive his office on that day.
The ISPR DG said that rallies were a part of democracy. “Army has provided an enabling environment to the people by risking its lives. This free atmosphere where anyone says what they want… good or bad… we have worked hard and sacrificed a lot for this.
“People come out on roads and express thoughts. There is nothing wrong with it,” he said, assuring that some kind of stability was returning to the country but it would take time to keep it sustainable. “Political stability drives everything. National security rests on it.”
When asked about the events on the night of April 9 and rumours of an impending martial law, Major General Babar Iftikahr said there was no such thing happening at the time. “Do you have any evidence of it? Are courts under the Army? Our courts are free and if something happened at the courts, it was their own action.”
“It is the duty of everyone to strengthen democracy and the strength of our democracy are our national institutions. Whether it’s the parliament, the Supreme Court or the armed forces. Pakistan will progress with democracy.”
“There will never be another martial law in Pakistan,” said the military spokesperson. Replying a question, DG ISPR said that people involved in torturing an officer of Pakistan army in Lahore have been apprehended and they will be punished according to law.