‘Anti-democracy’ referendum organiser held in Bannu

People were questioned, 'Who is better, the current government or army?'

BANNU: Police rounded up a man on Monday for carrying out a referendum against democracy in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P)’s Bannu district.

Muhammad Aslam had launched a campaign outside the district press club, questioning the people whether they were in favour of the democratic or military forces to rule the country.

The accused placed banners and posters, which displayed “public decision” and pictures of army chief General Raheel Sharif alongside the country’s top political leadership.

Locals line up to take part in the 'anti-democracy' referendum in Bannu. PHOTO: EXPRESS



People taking part in the campaign were asked: “who is better, the current government or army?” sources told The Express Tribune.

Earlier this month, banners begging for a military coup had cropped up in at least 13 cities across the country.

The banners had been put up by Move on Pakistan party, whose chairman Mian Kamran was booked under Section 124-A, Section 120-B and Section 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code (sedition, criminal conspiracy, criminal act committed by several people).

Pakistan Army, however, had distanced itself from the campaign.



“Posters with COAS [chief of army staff]’s picture being displayed across various cities, army or any affiliated organisation have nothing to do with it,” the ISPR had said.

On January 25, 2016, the army chief said he would not continue to serve as the military chief beyond November 2016 when he is due to retire, insisting he preferred to relinquish the job – unlike two of his predecessors.

“I do not believe in extension and will retire on the due date,” Gen Raheel said in an unprecedented statement.