ISPR rejects Imran statement as 'unacceptable, uncalled for'

Military’s media wing says army will ‘jealousy’ safeguard its officers and soldiers no matter what

RAWALPINDI:

Hours after former premier Imran Khan addressed the nation, Pakistan Army on Friday said that “allegations” levelled by the “PTI chairman” against the institution and particularly a senior army officer are absolutely unacceptable and uncalled for, terming them "baseless and irresponsible".

"Pakistan army prides itself for being an extremely professional and well-disciplined organisation with a robust and highly effective internal accountability system applicable across the board for unlawful acts, if any, committed by uniformed personnel," read a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

However, it added, if the honour, safety and prestige of its rank and file is being tarnished by vested interests through frivolous allegations, the "institution will jealousy safeguard its officers and soldiers no matter what".

"The baseless allegations hurled at the institution/officials today are highly regrettable and strongly condemned. No one will be allowed to defame the institution or its soldiers with impunity."

Keeping this in view, the military said, the government of Pakistan has been requested to investigate the matter and initiate legal action against those responsible for defamation and false accusations against the institution and its officials without any evidence whatsoever.

Earlier, the PTI chief addressed the nation for the first time after he narrowly escaped an assassination attempt during the party’s long march in Punjab’s Wazirabad on Thursday.

Read Continue protests until three accused involved in attack resign, Imran tells supporters

During his address, Imran had asked his party workers and supporters to continue protesting against the assassination attempt on him until three “accused” — prime minister, interior minister and an army officer — resign from their post.

Imran said to ensure an impartial and fair probe it was necessary for the three top officials to step down as “all agencies are under their control”.

He also asked the army chief to make the senior military official resign whom he accused of being involved in the assassination attempt.

“This general is taking country towards destruction,” Imran said while alleging that the same military official was behind the torture on PTI leaders Shahbaz Gill and Azam Swati.

Imran maintained that it was incumbent upon the army chief to take action against the “black sheep to save country from disintegration”.

He said country’s biggest political party was being pushed against the wall and attempts were being made to kill him.

“We have not learned anything from the past like the East Pakistan incident. I knew that they would try to kill me when I was leaving for long march,” he said.

Imran said the conspirators decided to kill him as they were wary of his long march and added that he had received reports about his assignation plot from the government officials beforehand.

Also read PTI holds countrywide protests against assassination bid on Imran Khan

“Establishment was taken aback when they saw that the people this time [in April] did not support their decision to topple my government,” he said.

Imran said establishment is not aware of the ground realities. “Despite knowing that the people are not ready to accept this imported government, they [establishment] are bent on enforcing their decision.”

The PTI chief said his workers and supporters were tortured and intimidated during the party’s last long march because establishment had anticipated that the party would “vanish” though such tactics.

“Four people made a decision behind closed doors to kill me and I had told the nation beforehand. That’s why I had recorded a video naming all four [conspirators].”

Imran said three people — Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Sanaullah and a military official — were behind his assassination plot.

“Would you allow this military official to be probed in this case,” Imran asked COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa. He also asked the army chief to take action against the senior army officer to protect the dignity of the institution.