ISLAMABAD: Clarifying the government’s stance on who asked the army to mediate in the current crisis, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan claimed that the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement was released after consultation and approval by the government, Express News reported.
Addressing a press conference on Friday evening, Nisar reiterated that the army is completely apolitical. He claimed that the ISPR statement and his speech at the floor of Parliament delivered the same message.
“The decision taken yesterday was constitutional,” Nisar said, adding that it should be supported.
The interior minister said the army is facilitating the dialogue process and it has been authorised by the government.
“The only goal for the other side [PTI and PAT] is to make sure someone dies or gets hurt,” said Nisar, adding that the government will not be responsible for any bloodshed that takes place in the Red Zone
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar both insinuated that the army had stepped in at the behest of Imran and Qadri, not the government – a claim that denied by both Imran and Qadri.
Army chief General Raheel Sharif was named mediator on Thursday in the standoff between the government and protesters led by Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan.
The interior minister had told parliament the protesters’ unwillingness to trust anyone
“Again and again they said they only trust the army and will only have talks through the army,” he said.
“When a group or two parties has no faith in the judiciary, the opposition, lawyers or civil society and has no confidence in anybody, what option remains for the government?”
Later on in order to clarify the army chief’s role in the current political impasse, the army issued a statement that it was playing the role of facilitator at the request of the government.
In a tweet posted on Twitter, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said, “[The] COAS was asked by the Govt to play [a] facilitative role for resolution of current impasse, in yesterday’s meeting, at #PM House.”
COMMENTS (29)
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@Xman: Bro...are these facts? Or "facts" like nawaz saying he never signed any deal with mush to run for jeddah?
@Xman: Fact 4. Nawaz caught lying in parliament.
"The only goal for the other side [PTI and PAT] is to make sure someone dies or gets hurt,” said Nisar, adding that the government will not be responsible for any bloodshed that takes place in the Red Zone. I WONDER WHO WAS AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MASSCRE AT MODEL TOWN LAHORE. It seems this government is not responsible for any thing.
Fact # 1 IK and TUQ repeatedly said, they don't trust supreme court, don't trust opposition, don't believe in constitution, don't believe in system, basically only believe in violence, bloodshed, anarchy, have been asking all along for 3rd umpire to intervene Fact # 2 Exhausting all options, government asks army to play its role to facilitate a solution, not mediate or guarantee but FACILITATE. This action is within constitutional ambit, and as per IK and TUQ stated preference. Fact # 3 COAS decides to meet IK and TUQ, but as a matter of protocol first requests permission to meet, which PM allowed.
A few loud mouths being frustrated, are spinning the story by twisting facts and quoting bits and pieces out of context, mixing things up, and misleading public. Anyway, apart from fasadis, the general public is not brain dead yet.
Nawaz Sharif should go from the government and the whole parliament should be dissolved on the basis of lies on the parliament ground. GO NAWAZ GO! We want TRUE DEMOCRACY!!
This man is responsible for the failure of nawab government. Who needs enemies when you have a interior minister like him.
Seriously...after this do you blame Imran and Qadari for not trusting them...??
@Qandi Gul: Because your comments are always racist against Punjabis.
Why do you hate us?
This is hilarious - the Govt has been stripped of all dignity - but holds on to a leaf to pointlessly cover it's last bit!
@Sara: Really? Please read the news report again, and again. I think you missed the main point.
Sad. Only if our leaders stop lying or making false politically correct statements to fool the public. Only if these leaders knew that now most every citizen is highly empowered by the inernet, Google, facebook, twitter, cell phone revolution that may even tell everyone when you last went to the toilet.
Why are the moderators refusing to publish my comments concerning the Punjabi establishment?
I thought this was a liberal website.
Nawaz Sharif is no longer Sadiq aur Amin (he never was), but now it has been proven beyond doubt. He is not worthy of being a member of parliament, let alone prime minister.
Nisar was lying in the morning, lying now and will probably be lying tonight. No hope from party of liars and suspected murderers.
So basically nawaz lied. In parliament. On camera. And this is the PM everyone wants to save? Lol
So let me get this straight, the ISPR asked for the government's permission before tweeting? The sharifs need to be given a mirror so they can see their bald faces!! Who are they kidding? Media should have walked out right away for fooling the entire nation including them!!
Yes! You can say whatever you want but whom are fooling this time.
Dear Sirs
It is laughable and profoundly illogical the way government is responding towards the present situation in Islamabad. In my personal view, government should understand they live in the 21st century and people are not impaired to understand their tricks and games. I can't see they are performing and discharging their organic duties of governance. Only the people of the country is suffering every step of the government, and this government is only act to protect their own personal interests and gains.
I wouldn't call then other then a bunch of criminals high jacking the whole country.
Does Chaudhry Nisar think Pakistanis are idiots? I don't support Imran Khan or TuQ but PML-N should be ashamed of habitually lying to the country.
Now after this revealation from ISPR who will trust this PMLN leadership?
Key Events when they Lied:
Foreign Currency Account Freeze 10 Years Deal with Musharraf Government Kargil Event Elections 2013 Azadi March 2014
etc
After one lie there is series of lies.
Another lie to hide the previous lie.
Lies after lies after lies.. These guys simply have no shame. Hypocrites and their parties contradictions were on show today..
Was it a verbal approval or a written one? Show us the document.
You are left with little credibility. Please ask the Charles Sobhraj, who happens to be your leader, to resign now.
Oh this is just becoming embarrassing now. They govt should shut up and let this play out. Things come out fully after some time anyways.
Imran had asked for the army because he has no faith in the judiciary, the opposition, lawyers or civil society and has no confidence in anybody. He wanted army to intervene that government had then asked for army to intervene and that is what COAS tweeted. What is the fuss about when Imran has been given with what he wanted