Public debate on Pakistan Army matters may trigger chaos in country: Shahid Khaqan Abbasi

ISLAMABAD, Sep 08 (SABAH): Senior Vice President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and former prime minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi warned that making controversial the matters relating to Pakistan Army is not supposed to produce good outcomes and public debate on such issues may trigger chaos in the country.  

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi expressed these views during in an interview with a private TV channel. On a question relating to the appointment of next chief of army staff (COAS), he said that senior most generals are supposed to be appointed as chief of army staff; however, its responsibility lies solely upon the prime minister to okay one of those names.

He maintained, “Selection phase of army chief should not be an issue but we have made it complicated. It should be a non-issue. Constitution states clearly the mechanism of appointment of chief of army staff where authority is assigned to prime minister of country to select one general as COAS, putting aside seniority list.”

“Don’t make the matters relating to army as controversial by making it part of public debate as it will exacerbate unrest in the society. Army generals need not to take certificate of patriotism from anyone as they have worked on top sensitive positions during their careers, as Corps Commanders and at General Headquarters GHQ) with a particular history spanning over 35 years,” he said.  

Moreover, he said that name of chief election commissioner (CEC) had been forwarded by former premier and Chairman PTI Imran Khan, and continued if the former premier now dislikes his decision then nothing could be done.

The former prime minister said the way previous regime headed by PTI was playing havoc with the already deteriorated economy; the country would have bankrupt during April as Sri Lanka like situation was going to erupt as for instance subsidy amounting to Rs 500 billon given by previous government under the head of petroleum products proved detrimental to the already trembling economy of Pakistan.

On a question relating to return of former prime minister and supreme leader of PML-N Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif back to country, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that he himself will decide on this matter as he had gone abroad for the sake of his medical treatment and continued that his treatment is still afoot.

The former prime minister remarked, “Nawaz Sharif will not prefer to live anywhere else Pakistan. I am of the opinion that he must return back to country after being medically treated.”

To a question about the country’s prevailing political situation, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said that this responsibility lies with the prime minister to invite all political parties including Pakistan PTI, judiciary, media and army to a negotiating table for forging a consensus on national issues and continued that PM Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has always been available for developing consensus with all and sundry. 

Shahid Khaqan Abbasi recalled the very first day being an opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif had extended olive branch and did the same on the last day. “Now it is up to Imran Khan the way he answers as we all need to sit together for the sake of our country,” he concluded.