PML-N leaders call on army chief

The delegation briefed COAS on the progress of investigation and recommendations pertaining to Dawn's story

ISLAMABAD: Senior leaders of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) met army chief General Raheel Sharif at his residence late on Thursday night.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif called on Gen Raheel at the Army House.



“The delegation briefed the chief of army staff on the progress of investigation and recommendations pertaining to the planted story of the national security breach of October 6,” the military’s media wing said.

The Inter-Services Intelli­gence (ISI) director general was also present in the meeting which lasted one and a half hours, ISPR added.

ISPR: CM,Ch Nisar&Dar met Army Chief between 4-5 pm

Not that dark at 4 pm,is it?Kindly refrain from spreading chaos https://t.co/4p06zPosTM

— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) October 27, 2016

The news report in question, which was published in a leading English-language daily, had created the impression of a rift between the country’s civil-military leadership on tackling terrorists and non-state actors. The army had denounced the report as fabricated and termed it a serious breach of the country’s national security.



The government, meanwhile, initially reacted by placing the writer of the news item on the no-fly list but later took his name down after strong criticism both at home and abroad. Subsequently, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif tasked Interior Minister Nisar with investigating the leaking of the story thoroughly and exposing those behind it.

According to reports, some two to three PM House officials were under suspicion and their movement was being monitored by agencies.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 28^th, 2016.