ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army on Monday said it was “aghast” at the “defamatory and uncalled for” statement about its leadership by former prime minister Imran Khan, in which he said the incumbent government was trying to delay fresh elections in the country since it wanted to appoint an army chief of its choice to save its top leaders from graft cases.
Khan, who became the first Pakistani prime minister to be ousted through a no-confidence vote in April, has blamed his removal on a “foreign conspiracy” backed by the United States (US). Washington and Khan’s opponents deny the allegation.
The former premier and his supporters have also openly expressed resentment that the army and its chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, did not block the opposition’s bid to topple his government, and are not supporting his moves, including regular public rallies across the country, to get snap elections announced.
At a rally in Faisalabad on Sunday, Khan said top leaders of the two main coalition partners in the government — the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) — were hoping to appoint their “favorite” army chief in the coming months, which the army has described as an attempt to “discredit and undermine” its leadership.
“Senior politicians trying to stir controversies on appointment of COAS of Pakistan Army, the procedure for which is well defined in the constitution, is most unfortunate and disappointing,” the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the army’s media wing, said in a statement on Monday.
“Senior leadership of army has decades long impeccable meritorious service to prove its patriotic and professional credentials beyond any doubt.”
The development comes two and a half months before the retirement of General Bajwa in November. He was appointed in 2016 and secured an additional term of three years in 2019.
The ISPR said “politicizing” the senior leadership of Pakistan Army and “scandalizing” the process of selection for the top post was neither in the interest of the Pakistan nor of the institution.
This is not the first time that Khan’s remarks have not been well-received by Pakistan’s powerful military, which has ruled the South Asian country for nearly half its history since getting independence from Britain.
Civilian-military-discord has been the source of tension throughout 75-year history of Pakistan, where army’s mediation has in the past offered a face-saving way to governments and opposition parties.
PM Shehbaz Sharif labelled Khan’s statement as “despicable,” saying the ex-premier’s agenda was to “undermine” the country.
“Imran Niazi’s despicable utterances to malign institutions are touching new levels every day,” PM Sharif said in his reaction on Twitter.
“He is now indulging in direct mud-slinging & poisonous allegations against Armed Forces & its leadership. His nefarious agenda is clearly to disrupt & undermine Pakistan.”
