ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Pervaiz Rashid said on Friday there were no differences between the government and the army and denied the former was being asked to make Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif quit.

Talking to reporters after inaugurating Lok Mela, he said all institutions, including the army, had been working within the limits set by the Constitution.

Islamabad has been rife with rumours about differences between the government and the army after Mr Asif said on the floor of the National Assembly last week that the government would first try Pervez Musharraf and then all others who supported him in the coup.

“All institutions believe in the rule of law and those who have been spreading rumours about differences between the government and the army should read the decision of the Supreme Court,” Mr Rashid said.

On Thursday, the apex court issued its detailed judgement on a review petition filed by retired General Musharraf, stating that the army chief had no right to impose the state of emergency.

“There are some elements who get their bread and butter because of a dictatorial rule. Now they should start believing in hard work and find some other way to feed themselves,” the minister said.

“The army has sacrificed several officers for the country and no-one has any doubt about its services. [But] some elements want to disrepute the army at the international level and create trouble for it,” he said.

The minister said several issues were confronting the country when PML-N came to power but now terrorist attacks were decreasing and economy was improving with each passing day. “Stock exchange has been making records and the value of rupee has been strengthened against the US dollar.”