Politicians will decide about holding early elections & army has no role in it: DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar
RAWALPINDI, May 12 (SABAH): The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has said that Peshawar Corps is an illustrious formation of Pakistan Army spearheading national war against terrorism for over two decades.
The ISPR, in a statement on Thursday, said one of the most competent and professional officers are entrusted with the responsibility to lead this prestigious formation.
It said imprudent comments made by important senior politicians recently about Corps Commander Peshawar are very inappropriate.
Such statements undermine the honour and morale of institution and its leadership.
The ISPR said it is expected that the senior political leadership of country refrains from passing objectionable remarks against the institution whose brave officers and men are constantly putting their lives on the line to guard the integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan.
Meanwhile talking to a private TV channel, Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar said that inappropriate statements are being made by senior politicians on various occasions but the armed forces have long tolerated such statements.
He again warned politicians against dragging the armed force and its leadership in the country’s political affairs, adding that there are many security challenges in the country.
The DG ISPR said that our forces are carrying out important responsibilities at the borders and inside the country and all its focus is on these responsibilities, adding that we have no involvement in the political situation.
Major General Babar Iftikhar went on to say that the talk regarding the appointment of Army Chief is not appropriate at all and the procedure of appointment has been clarified in the Pakistani constitution and law, while discussing this topic is tantamount to making it controversial. He requested not to make the appointment of Army Chief a topic of discussion.
To a question regarding politicians demand to hold elections, the DG ISPR said, “We have nothing to do with holding elections and politics has nothing to do with us, while it has been clearly practiced for over a year now.”
“Look at any by-election, cantonment board election, local body election and other political issues, we have clearly kept ourselves away from these things and even politicians are confirming this.”
Replying a question, DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar said that if anyone thinks that any division could occur in army then he is unaware about the ethos and culture of our army. He said that Pakistan army is united and our officers and personnel wherever they are involved in operations are used to see towards their commanders and all the commanders and whole leadership of Pakistan army looks towards Chief of Army Staff (COAS). He said that on orders of chief of army staff, corps commanders and leadership, our troops and officers render their lives for the country. He said that there should be no doubt that anyone could create any division in Pakistan army.
Replying a question, DG ISPR said that politicians will decide about holding early elections and army has no role in it, adding that senior Pakistani political leadership is able enough to sit together and hold discussion on this issue. DG ISPR said that in whichever political matter army was called or army interfered it had always become controversial, adding that the army leadership has made the decision that we have to keep ourselves away from political things. He said that if the need of Pakistan army arises in holding of elections then the Election Commission of Pakistan on behalf of the political leadership for conduct of elections could call the Pakistan army for provision of security.
Replying a question, Major General Babar Iftikhar said that army has no role in helping politicians to sit together for holding discussion. He said that army never invites politicians for meeting and chief of army staff has also clarified this thing that when someone makes repeated requests for holding meeting then obviously he has to meet. He said that army chief has said several times that he never went to meet anyone but if politicians want to meet due to any reason then he has to meet with them, adding that the whole responsibility of this initiative lies on our honorable politicians.
Major General Babar Iftikhar said that army is considered such an institution which has played an important role in keeping Pakistan united and if army is center of gravity of Pakistan then center of gravity of army is chief of army staff and this thing should be clear. He said that if anything is said about the appointment of army chief, about his personality, it affects whole army. He said that whole time discussion is going on television about appointment of army or on past role of Pakistan army or it is being discussed that how army will handle the current political situation and what will do, adding that why army will do this, adding that we time and again reiterated that our institution and our leadership should be kept away from this.
Replying a question, Major General Babar Iftikhar said that it is highly improper to invite or give statement in public gatherings that army should come and interfere in political situation in manner and this suits no one.
Replying a question that the long march will be bloody, DG ISPR said that we are performing our duties and army leadership is active every time for the protection and security of Pakistan and with the Blessings of Almighty Allah we will ensure the protection of Pakistani masses.