The Pakistan Peoples Party and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz fired broadsides at former prime minister Imran Khan for “using the National Security Committee for his own political gains”, saying that the DG ISPR’s news conference is “a breath of fresh air for democracy” and “your lies have been exposed”.
During the presser, the army's top spokesperson, while talking about the role of the armed forces in the country's politics, said the military has "nothing to do with politics", adding that the institution has decided to remain apolitical in the future as well.
To a question related to former PM Imran’s claim of a foreign conspiracy to oust his government, the DG said the word "conspiracy" was not used in the statement issued after a meeting of the NSC.
“As far as the military’s response about the NSC meeting, the stance was fully given and a statement was issued which clearly shows what was concluded in that meeting.
“The words are in front of you, the words are clear. Was there any word such as conspiracy used? I do not think so,” the DG ISPR said, adding that the government could declassify the minutes of the NSC meeting if it so desires.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said, "The press conference of DG ISPR is a breath of fresh air for democracy. It is responsibility not only of every institution but every Pakistani to support democracy, Constitution and rule of law."
On his Twitter handle, he said that transition of parliament, judiciary and establishment from controversial to constitutional roles would not be easy.
"The answer to all of Pakistan's problems is democracy, democracy and more democracy. If we continue on this path, no power on earth can stop Pakistan’s progress," Bilawal said.
Earlier during a news conference, Bilawal had called upon the state institutions to clarify their position on Imran’s claim that the NSC had endorsed his allegation that opposition parties were part of the “foreign conspiracy” to topple his government.
آج تمہارے جھوٹ تار تار ہو گئے- اقتدار سےچمٹے رہنے کے لیےتم نے خطرناک کھیل کھیلا۔NSC جیسے سنجیدہ فورم کو سازشی ڈرامے کےلئے استعمال کیا۔Absolutely Not کا جھوٹا نعرہ ان اڈوں کےلیےلگایاجوکبھی مانگے ہی نہیں گئے تھے۔NRO کیلئےاسٹیبلشمنٹ کےترلے کیے،جھوٹ بولا کہ انہوں نے آپشن دیےتھے۔
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) April 14, 2022
“Imran Khan used the NSC forum for political gains and now he is making the country’s foreign policy controversial,” Bilawal said while referring to the NSC meeting held last month which expressed grave concern over the alleged “threatening letter”.
Meanwhile, Bilawal and his father PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad and congratulated him on assuming the premiership.
PM Shehbaz thanked both the PPP leaders for their cooperation in formation of the coalition government. He prayed to Allah Almighty to enable the incumbent government to overcome the prevailing challenges.
The prime minister said that his government’s priority was to strive for Pakistan’s uplift through consultation and mutual cooperation.
After the news briefing of the DG ISPR, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz sharply criticised PTI Chairman Imran, saying: “Today your lies have been exposed … you played dangerous games to survive and used serious forums like the NSC for conspiracy theories.”
Without naming Imran, she said a false slogan of “Absoluately Not” was used on Twitter for bases which had never been asked for.
وقت آ گیا ہے تمہارے ایک ایک جھوٹ کا محاسبہ کیا جائے۔ کرسی کی خاطر قومی سلامتی سے کھیلنے کی قابل مذمت کوششوں کا محاسبہ کیا جائے۔ حوصلہ رکھو۔۔ اب سامنا کرنا، ہمیشہ کی طرح بھاگ نہ جانا کیونکہ یہ قوم تمہیں اب بھاگنے نہیں دے گی!#عمران_جھوٹا
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) April 14, 2022
Maryam said that it was time to “hold accountable every single one of your lies”, to hold accountable the reprehensible attempts to play with the national security for the sake of the chair.
Addressing the PTI chairman, the PML-N vice president said, "Have courage, face it now, don't run away as usual because this nation will not let you run away now."
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