Nisar cautions ex-officials to be careful in issuing statements

Dawn.com Published July 2, 2014

ISLAMABAD: In an apparent reaction to a former Army spokesperson’s remarks, regarding Gen (retd) Ashfaq Parvez Kayani’s reluctance in launching a military offensive in North Waziristan in 2010, Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Wednesday reprimanded the retired officials to be careful in issuing statements, DawnNews reported.

In an interview to BBC Urdu on Monday, former DG Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj Gen (retd) Athar Abbas had said that the military leadership of the country was in favour of launching the offensive in 2010, however, it could not due to the indecision of Gen Kayani.

In a statement issued here today, Chaudhry Nisar advised those who have been a part of important national decisions to be ‘reticent.’

“Being tactful and strategic is better for the nation and the country,” he added.

Also read: Kayani feared religious right’s backlash against him: Athar Abbas

Terming ‘confidentiality’ as essential for the development of the nation, the minister cautioned former military officials saying in this media age, a ‘little slip of tongue’ can cause havoc.

Chaudhry Nisar emphasised that unity was vital for Pakistan at this critical juncture. He also cautioned the media to avoid making the issue a point of contention.

Meanwhile, Maj Gen (retd) Athar Abbas said that his statement regarding the military operation was given in response to a question.

Speaking at a seminar organised by South Asian Free Media Association (Safma), he said that a huge number of militant casualties should not be expected out of the Zarb-i-Azb operation. He expressed optimism that all big cities of the country would be ‘cleared’ in a month.

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Aimal

Jul 02, 2014 08:13pm

The leadership in Pakistan should realise at some point of time that truth being suppressed serves no one. The truth does get revealed somehow, causing much embarassment.

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I. Ahmed

Jul 02, 2014 09:16pm

Why is interior minister commenting on this situation? Isn't it the job of defense ministry or information ministry? And being tactful and strategic? Ha ha, isn't it like kettle and pot?

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AJamal

Jul 02, 2014 09:46pm

Nisar needs to put his house on order first. We haven't seen a different performance than Rehman Malik.

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Aurang

Jul 02, 2014 10:10pm

Look who is lecturing - hiding a truth harms the nation/institution. We all make mistake but wise learn from them - not hide them!

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Amjad Wyne

Jul 02, 2014 10:22pm

Chaudhry Nisar, you have some obligations to this nation too - focus on fulfilling those.

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Kublai

Jul 02, 2014 10:23pm

This coming from a man who said Islo is the safest city in this country. Who talked about the Good and Bad Taliban. Who gave wrong numbers regarding how many were killed in terrorists attacks. On and on it goes.

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Israr Khan Ismailzai

Jul 02, 2014 10:34pm

As much as i dont like N league and Nisar, i totally agree with him on this issue. Very irresponsible behaviour by that so called general.

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abdul manan

Jul 02, 2014 10:39pm

Be careful next time,understand Gen?

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Jul 02, 2014 11:01pm

Funny he never complained about retired generals criticizing Musharraf over Kargil and revealing confidential information.

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Last Word

Jul 02, 2014 11:09pm

All who show the mirror to the flawed policy followed on terrorism for several decades are considered anti-state even though the same has resulted in death, destruction and economic collapse in the entire country. The revelations coming from the former ISPR spokesperson cannot be brushed under the carpet but needs to be debated by both civil and military to formulate a new policy of abandoning terror as its state policy which besides bringing destruction at home has put Pakistan under international isolation.

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in your face

Jul 02, 2014 11:39pm

The technical name for it, is....suppression of free speech! Pakistan has no freedom to speak!

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Rashid Ishaq

Jul 02, 2014 11:46pm

Nisar is making much more sense than you guys; sometimes think about the nature of activity one is doing keeping aside your personal likes and dislikes

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Ayesha

Jul 02, 2014 11:47pm

If this statement was made by a civilian they would have issued a non bailable warrant against that person.The armed forces is also loaded with hypocrites, they feel free to make any type of remarks, but would not allow others to do the same. Double standards.

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Abida

Jul 03, 2014 12:24am

Nisar never issued such a statement afteSaad Rafique's utterances ?

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Pervez Saeed

Jul 03, 2014 12:25am

Spoken like a true politician. Smoke and mirrors. Never the true face. 50,000 innocent lives be damned.

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Javed Anwar

Jul 03, 2014 12:32am

@I. Ahmed Very well said. Defense Minister is acting like a lame duck. Shame on him. He should resign.

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Hassan

Jul 03, 2014 12:44am

I am sure Nisar does not like current Army current leadership as Raheel Shareef & Co.are not pursuing pro-taliban policies.

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sohail

Jul 03, 2014 01:12am

This is ridiculous ,giving a statement once you know it'll bring no harm to you pitty

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Jawwad Saeed

Jul 03, 2014 01:41am

Mr. Nisar. You should be giving this lesson to your newly appointed PCB chief who is going about revealing secret pacts and amount of monies to be made with BCCI. Buy a muzzle for him.

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Aamir

Jul 03, 2014 01:44am

I agree with Ch. Nisar. Defence Ministry must also intervene and caution the ex-DG ISPR not to make such irresponsible statements. I'm worried if this was the caliber of intelligence and maturity of an ex Major General, then what was the effectiveness of his leadership in his career.

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Malik

Jul 03, 2014 02:02am

@AJamal Rehman at least has a variety of colored neckties.

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asif

Jul 03, 2014 02:31am

Nisar said, 'honesty is a bad policy in a country like Pakistan. Incredible, I say make ather abbas prime minister if he really said it for the sake of the truth. More likely its the army looking for an excuse for past failures.

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Jaj

Jul 03, 2014 02:47am

@Aimal Maj Gen Athar Abbas was never part of decision making and his statements are damaging. If we keep the situation of 2010 and 2011 in mind then one can understand why Kayani did not launch an attack which Americans wanted. The present operation has been launched after failure of the government to strike a peace deal with Taliban and attack on Karachi Airport.There is no logic in blaming Kayani. Athar Abbas is looking more like a looser.

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Ilyas

Jul 03, 2014 04:07am

Truth prevails .The fact of the matter is that Mr. Nisar Ali Khan himself had been reluctant or fearful about saying a word against the terrorist groups and tried to prolong the so called negotiation process with the murderers /terrorists, which is clearly against the spirit of the constitution of Pakistan. It is so sad that we lost thousands of innocent lives because of indecisiveness or fearfulness on part of leadership . The Writ of the government- must prevail . I wish PM Nawaz Sharif's delayed but bold initiative a great success .

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Abdul Majid Khan

Jul 03, 2014 04:29am

Terrorism is the second name of Mullahism. To get rid of terrorism in the country one must get rid of Mullahs and illegal Madrassas operating in the country to produce terrorists.. Lal Masjid like actions be taken against them to eliminate terrorist Mullah's productions. Qualified persons from Government Institutions be appointed in the Mosques as leaders and lecturers. They should deliver specified Sermons and messages creating love and unity among the masses. Any one who breads hatred be punished there and then. Root cause of formation of Taliban and Alqaida like organizations in the world is misunderstanding and misinterpreting real Islamic teachings. Islam's Devine instructional book is one then why there are 73 sects? Reason is clearly written above. After gaining little knowledge every body forms his own party then instigating public on religious grounds they wish to become political leaders and hence the rulers of the country. Definitely there are mislead people in the military, politics, bureaucracy who are helping these organizations. Flushing of Government departments and corrupt politics is very necessary. Majid

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Munz

Jul 03, 2014 05:24am

Blatantly saying PLEASE LIE TO THE PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN as have our forefathers done so in the past and so will our children and grandchildren will do so in the future since this country is as it is a 'Jaagir'!!! Have shame you politicians and double shame on the people of Pakistan to let them exploit you!

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