LAHORE: The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) is unlikely to replace Khwaja Asif and Khwaja Saad Rafique despite a demand by some opposition parties that they be acted against for making controversial remarks about Pervez Musharraf.

Both the ministers had used harsh words against the former COAS for not facing high treason trial and instead taking ‘refuge’ in the army hospital on health reasons.

The remarks caused anger among rank and file of the army as Gen Raheel Sharif was quoted by the ISPR as saying at a ceremony of the Special Services Group that “Pakistan Army upholds the sanctity of all institutions and will resolutely preserve its own dignity and institutional pride.”

The statement and response to it by Defence Minister Khwaja Asif in parliament created the impression of increased civil-military tension.

Criticising the impolite words selected by the two ministers in their diatribe, PML-Q President Chaudhry Shujaat also demanded action against them saying “speaking against the armed forces constitutes constitutional violation” and asked the government “why it is not taking action against the ministers who spoke against the army.”

He suggested the ‘offending’ ministers could be disqualified by parliament.

The ruling PML-N is quite calm on the issue as an official says any action against the ‘impolite’ ministers is unlikely. He claims that both the ministers spoke against Musharraf only after the rulers gave the impression in official meetings that the government is powerless on certain important issues.

The ministers, he says, vented out the irritation in the party leadership after some of its policies like the talks with the Taliban and relations with neighbouring countries were ‘vetoed’ by the establishment.

Quoting an example, he says a cabinet member was ‘summoned’ to Rawalpindi only to be told by a mid-ranking officer that relations with a neighbouring country would not be allowed beyond a certain limit.

The act of ‘direct summoning’ of a minister without following a formal channel irritated the civil leadership, the official claims.

It may be recalled that Nawaz Sharif had said before coming into power for third term that he would not accept the premier’s position without powers.