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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday sought an explanation from senior cabinet member and minister for climate change, Senator Mushahidullah Khan, over an interview the latter gave to BBC Urdu, in which he alleged that former Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt. Gen Zaheerul Islam Abbasi wanted to overthrow Pakistan’s civil and military leadership during last year’s sit-ins by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek.
In his interview, Mushahidullah alleged that during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s meeting with army chief Gen Raheel Sharif on July 28, 2014, an audio tape was played in which Lt. Gen Zaheerul Islam could be heard giving orders to ransack the PM House and spread chaos.
The tape, claimed the federal minister, was obtained by officials of the civilian intelligence agency – Intelligence Bureau.
On hearing the audio tape, Gen Raheel summoned the ISI chief to the meeting and played the tape in front of him, said Mushahidullah. When Zaheerul Islam confirmed that the voice was his own, the army chief asked him to leave, claimed Mushahidullah in his interview with BBC.
Taking notice of the minister’s statements, the PM House issued a news release, asking Mushahidullah Khan to explain his remarks. The release also said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has never heard such an audio tape, nor is he aware of its existence.
Meanwhile Federal Information Minister Pervez Rashid, while talking to DawnNews, said he had been with the prime minister during the dharna days last year, adding that he could state with assurance that “no such incident had taken place,” referring to claims of the audio tape being played in Nawaz's meeting with Gen Raheel.
Rashid said Mushahidullah's claims were far from the truth and labelled them as “made up.”
Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Asim Bajwa late Friday night said in a tweet that “the story about any tape recording as being discussed in media is totally baseless, unfounded and farthest from the truth.”
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The chief of army's media wing went on to say that “such rumours are irresponsible and unprofessional.”
Meanwhile, Senator Mushahidullah Khan, while talking to DawnNews, downplayed his claims, saying that he had never heard the audio recording himself and was told about it by “other sources.” He said he had clarified in his interview that he had himself not heard any audio tape.
The senator said his interview with the BBC was almost a week old and questioned the motives behind releasing it on Independence Day. He said he had given the same explanation to the premier over a telephone call.
Comments (82) Closed
Another conspiracy theory... What was the source who told Mushahid all this? He wasn't on any key post to get this kind of information...
The communication break down within parties causes such incoherent party lines.
Pmln is doing same thing like ppp mqm, blackmailing remarks against army then deny like kids.
Does it mean that a Senior Member and a Minister of PML-N Government is lying!
Anyway, let us wait till the Army Chief Honorable Raheel Shariff speaks on the subject.
Who asked Jahangir Tareen to join PTI, Qureshi and others? the analysis are available on all TV channels. you hide it or not, every body know who was directing PTI and PAT in the Dhanrna. One clear example was the major presence of Sheikh Raseeh and Choudhary Brothers. Don't ak explanation from mushahid
Why do you have to embarrass PM, Mr.Musahidullah Khan?
After this episode ... Respect for COAS is doubled .. Take step in the interest of Pakistan
Now likely to happen soon .It may be a kind or priming for the parties involved ,
When we going to learn leave the past .start moving forward .there lot work needed to be done.to take this country and nation towords progress
@Zohaibk good comment cant agree more
Damage limitation exercise at work after revelation!
All I can say is that there is no dearth of idiots in our country . I recommend this gentleman should join MQM where he will fit in nicely
How come the minister could be this irresponsible? Though, the people of Pakistan must like a true clarification by those who are referred! Lets see who calls spade a spade?
Najam Sethi pointed out about this tape in his program. PTI resorted not to go in court against Najam Sethi which almost proved everything. Nawaz Sharif, also ask for explanation from Najam Sethi. Justice Wajih report pointed out at corruption of some PTI law makers, but IK did not make any action against them, why? because these lawmakers have strong recommendations on their CVs, IK cannot do anything. Who is who in PTI and on whose recommendations everybody knows about it. Nawaz, Please don't consider us as Youthia who could not understand anything, we know the writers.
Najam Sethi said the same thing on Aapas Ki Baat. I respect Sethi's contacts and his experience in Pakistani politics. This doesn't sound too far-fetched...after all politics and business are the Establishment's favorite pursuits.
Interesting. Only General Raheel could confirm whether tape was played or not.
Mushahid is not the first one to disclose this particular alleged tape existence. tape story has been appearing in print media since the dharna time. Kh Asif and pti's brigadier samson of 35 pencher fame in their recent tv talks have discussed at length the real objective of the dharna and using chairman pti as a stepping stone to achieve that objective.
more like paving the road for military take over.
Its seems an open secret. Javed Hashmi, Justice Wajih, Hamid Khan and others are not lying.
@muzammil ullah khan Agreed with your comments.
Another attempt to take kasur incident out of limelight.
Respected men like Justice Wajis, Hmaid Khan, Najam Sethi cannot be liars. Ch. iftikhar and Ramday were also targeted without any proof on whose direction and why? because they were the ones who stood tall at the time when nobody could have the courage to speak against powerful. So, they started maligning iftikhar and through whom? yes one and only IK the great.
according to London plan MQM was supposed to join at some stage, even resignation of its parliamentarian was take by AH...some thing happened in between and MQM did not joined...now paying the prize..
They just want the attention to get away from Kasur
If their agenda is to use Ik then pmln agenda is to defame General Zaheer ul Islam including army
This is a ' shot across the bow ' .....can the PML-N afford to do this ?
@Lost Lakha;
'Does it mean that a Senior Member and a Minister of PML-N Government is lying! '
If the senior most can lie why not others??
Even if we believe in what Mushahid Ullah Khan has said, the plan does not seem to have any sting in it. It could not happen and Imran and Qadri never intended to storm the parliament. Some zealot did go in the compound but were called back. It is more of a comic story released on the sidelines by PMLN.
look at this man's face
who cares... people are dying due to hunger and poverty.. better to look for them. I hate everyone who is talking about politics and power game.
According to army protocol IS I chief cannot do anything which army chief doesn't know. In other words Intel has consent of army chief.minister seems to be a good fabricator and now is in deep trouble.
This information was first aired on Najam Sethi's program where a PTI leader brig. Simon provided the exact same details.
@Zia Khan through time they will know what is their purpose of telling comic stories
May be he is right, because all senior members of PML-N point-out that. let's see in future clear all thing.
There is a lot of mud to sling in politics.
Every Pakistani knows about the directors of Dharna. Nawaz sharif please ask for explanation from all Pakistanis, not from Mushahidullah alone.
its all topi drama, nothing will happened, we loved our Pakistan Army and I don't understand why N league some leaders against our Army?
@Zia Khan now pmln is part of the story and they cant get out of it i bet
I have written many times that our people are interested on rumours and enjoy it. Even media is also interested in Breaking News and these are always rumours. Nobody wait for the truth.
@Zohaibk :In my opinion these kind of rumor-MONGERS dealt with strict code of conduct.
An other technique and way of Civilian Democracy Rulers to divert attention and exploit Awaam.
If this be the case then Dharna or Nawaz Sharif, one of these two should have finished by 29th August, or at least Gen Zaheer should have been removed, it seems to be an attempt of PMLN and like politicians to create a scene against success of operation Zarb e Azb and stop Rangers from apprehending the corrupt!
These PMLN politicians would do any thing to take attention away from Qasur incident even if its maligning there own professional army.
If there is a smoke there is a fire.
@Zia Khan he did a mistake now face it
In every democratically elected Govt.,all cabinet members are privy to extensive confidential information and they are sworn not to reveal any information which might hurt overall goals set by the Prime Minister.Leaving aside what the truth in these revelations is,Mushahidullah khan has exhibited a total non professional and unethicla behavior.Mr Nawaz Shareef does need any enemies if he has harbored friends like him.This "loose cannon" should be immediately "FIRED".
So the 3rd Umpire was the ISI Chief
This just shows how pathetic PLMN is...
Mushahidullah is a minister of climate change....lolllllll
It was obvious the drama of sits in by PTI and PAT last year was orchestrated by some of the agencies and now it has been disclosed. PML N is doing same work of disclosing or making comments and then rolling back entire comment as that of MQM and PPP.
I am astonished IB could tape ISI chief! I hope he was not using a walkie talkie!
Mushahid is telling the truth , Kh Asif had said the same thing but NS is trying to save himself from shame and embarrassment.
This thing is not sane for sure.
He should be fired as Minister for Climate change for spreading rumors.
Shame on the gov to undermine all the good work the army is doing for Pakistan.
Mushahidullah Khan, is a loud mouth, and rude man, thats the impression I got when ever I have seen him on television
Topi drama by PML N to calm MQM and corner PTI. What a bunch of hypocrites politicians we have...
@Old all done to defame the army.
"other sources" should immediately be unveiled by the learned senator/senior cabinet member... he may also be "dealt with" for his baseless and far from truth remarks in the BBC interview.
Mushahidullah is spot on. That is the reality whether anyone likes it or not.
Army is getting too popular. This is nothing but an effort on NSs part to defame the army . I guess a lot of people didnt even know about this but NS made sure that every one knows about this letter.
double standards of Mushaidullah, will come down hard on the corrupt PML-N memebers as well. Corruption and extremism true enemies of Pakistan.
On 69th Independence Day we have yet not become mature enough to handle sensitive matters responsibly. Just listening to someone and airing irresponsibly on foreign media without its authenticity is enough a proof of our maturity level. Such people must be taught and trained to understand the National Interests and intricacies attached so that our enemies may not get advantage.
All of them are corrupt and all this drama. Some guy leak out the info then pressured into taking it back. That is what will happen. When Zardari spoke ill about army and threaten to expose Generals I didn't hear a peep from any body... why? What Zardari wrong or there so something else is going on? Think? Why we are in such a big mess? I am not a PPP fan but he has guts and no body could touch him regardless of his ill reputation.
Remember when there is smoke there is fire. Was Javid Hashmi not saying the same thing.
Baseless lies. If the IsI wanted sharif out he would've been out let me assure you. ISI had nothing to do with IK's movement. When someone wants attentions run to British outlets? Kya baat!
well done BBC u never let the peace come in this nation. I dont know when our people will wake up.
True or false such internal squabbles augurs not well for the government.n
Power strangles between Civilian and Military is a daily thing in our country. Why is everyone acting so surprised? This minister forgot the cardinal rule that these matters shall remain behind the walls no matter who wins.
Its seems an open secret. Javed Hashmi, Justice Wajih, Hamid Khan and others are not lying
PTI is a division of the establishment, not good for democracy
Not to bright. Should be kept in Pakistan For future not foreign material
..........and thses politicians call themselves patriots n nation builders. What a great occasion selected for this disgraceful act. It has become a norm in our country that you utter rubbish n very easily retract by saying that it was put of context. Please leave this country n do not destroy the spirit created by out great armed forces.
it's ripe time to say good bye to such old politicians who continue creating problems for the govt through their untimely statements, albeit correct, n reignite the civil military strife instead of letting the govt to run smoothly.
For BBC to air a report on the former top spook means the tape most likely is in existence i. e. several western agencies must have them, all Pakistani agencies have western handler's.
If the conspiracy is indeed true, charges of treason will certainly be filed against Abbasi, Pasha, Qadri and Imran Khan. There is ample evidence available against the four to try them in the newly empowered military courts.
Pakistanis need to work harder at developing a democratic society. Over the next 20-25 years, if they start now, most issues including Kashmir will be resolved. The military rulers will not allow Kashmir to resolve as their arms-merchant backers will lose billions of dollars of business.
After this. My respect for COAS and PTI leader Imran Khan has doubled. Respect them both. They are true patriots.
Aminister from PML-N sets an example of poor foreign policy!
Political party leaders and chair persons are so mean in this country!
an army officer thinks about the national interests whereas a politician thinks about his party's interests..
@Duur an army officer thinks about the national interests whereas a politician thinks about his party's interests..
When you give too much power to spooks, things could get out of hand.
Mushahid is not the first one to disclose this alleged tape existence. tape story has been appearing in print media since the dharna time. The Captain of this team and news breaker is Kh Asif , Request to PM and COAS /JCOS to take proper action against Kh.Asif on Aug 4, 2015 he talked in TV shows against Army and two DG ISI, this is discrimination of PM to terminated small bird and no action against corcodile.