ISLAMABAD: While President Arif Alvi has all but distanced himself from his party chief’s statement about the army chief’s appointment, saying that the latter should himself clarify it, senior Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leaders on Monday said the ex-premier meant to say corrupt leaders should not have the right to nominate the chief of army staff.

PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry told a news conference that Imran Khan had just asked whether corrupt people should have the option to make important appointments. The Pakistan Army and PTI think alike and both want to protect the country, he said, adding that all the generals were loyal to Pakistan and their loyalty was beyond any doubt.

“Army is a sacred institution and Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) did politics over it in the past. A conspiracy was hatched to bring the current govt into power despite having minority in the parliament,” he said.

“In the past, during public meetings of Maryam Nawaz, slogans were chanted against the army. I want to ask that how people, who are corrupt and security risk, can do appointments. How a person who has fled Pakistan [Nawaz Sharif] will give permission for the appointment of next army chief?” he said.

After military’s media wing issued a statement, Mr Fawad also tweeted that the ISPR had no need to issue statement as he had already clarified the stance of PTI during his press conference.

Also, PTI Central Secretary General Asad Umar said Mr Khan’s statement pertaining to the army chief’s appointment had already been clarified. He said there was never an intent to cause harm to the reputation of the institution or its senior leadership.

The PTI and its chief always fully appreciated professionalism and sacrifices of the army personnel, he said, explaining that Mr Khan’s emphasis on upholding the principle of merit was consistent with the desire to protect the professionalism of the force.

Ex-minister Shireen Mazari, in a statement, said Mr Khan gave a statement about the army chief’s appointment, as ruling parties PPP and PML-N were doing politics over it. “There is a long history of opposing armed forces by both parties. On the other hand Imran Khan’s statement is being misquoting despite clarification,” she said.

President Alvi, however, during an informal chat with journalists at Governor House, Peshawar, distanced himself from Mr Khan’s statement explaining that the former premier should himself clarify his remarks.

Regarding armed forces, he said: “All the army is patriotic.”

He also disclosed he was playing his role to reduce tensions between the opposition and the government, a day after Mr Fawad denied any backdoor talks between his party and the PML-N.

However, the president did not elaborate further on the role to reduce the tension.

Manzoor Ali in Peshawar also contributed to this report

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2022

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.