Don't want army chief of my choice: Imran

Imran criticises PM for taking nation's decisions in London with 'looters'; reiterates demand for appointment on merit

LAHORE:

PTI chief Imran Khan on Saturday refuted the allegations levelled against him of making the appointment of the army chief controversial and clarified that he did not want the military’s change of guard to take place according to his own choice.

In a televised address to the long march protestors in Lala Musa, the former prime minister said he only wanted “the best people on the basis of merit”.

“I say that the army chief should be appointed on merit. I don’t want an army chief, judge, IG or NAB head of my choice. I want the best people on the basis of merit.”

He alleged that the government wanted to appoint people of their choice to top posts and claimed that the Islamabad IG’s appointment by Prime Minister Shehbaz was such an example. “Because he (the IG) is corrupt, he will now serve the PM, he will do every unlawful task given by him.”

‘Country’s decisions being taken in London’

The former prime minister went on to reiterate his criticism of PM Shehbaz and other PML-N bigwigs for holding a meeting in London to make the important decision of the army chief’s appointment.

“It is beyond anyone’s imagination that the country’s important decisions are being taken abroad and by those who have been looting the state wealth for the past 30 years,” he said.

Imran’s criticism was in reference to the prime minister purportedly discussing the key appointment and other issues of national importance with his elder brother Nawaz Sharif during his unscheduled London visit.

The meeting sparked controversy when Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that the premier had indeed discussed the matter with the elder Sharif who lives in exile in London and faces a slew of corruption cases back home in Pakistan.

Opposition leaders – chiefly PTI – have said that someone who does not hold government office and has absconded from the law should not be part of discussions on arguably the most important appointment in the country.

‘Who imposed these thieves?’

Imran, as he addressed participants of the party's Haqeeqi Azadi March, also asked who was responsible for “imposing these thieves” — a reference to the PML-N-led ruling coalition— over the nation.

Apparently reiterating his claims of conspiracy of regime change orchestrated to topple his government earlier this year, Imran said the people wanted to ask this question while history was keeping a record of those responsible for what was happening with the country.

“They think by silencing people and what was done with Arshad Sharif … the nation is in shock and asking whether this is the way to run the country?” He also questioned why were the “handlers” of the country’s incumbent rulers not worried about Pakistan.

“Were they unable to realise what the robbers being imposed in the country do with it?” he said. “Who is responsible for this?”

‘Shehbaz in big trouble’

Speaking about the defamation suit filed by PM Shehbaz against a British daily, Imran said Shehbaz was in "deep trouble" and said the premier was mistaken in thinking that he could call a judge and direct them to issue orders as per his will.

“He is in deep trouble … It will be the biggest challenge for Shehbaz Sharif now that he will have to explain the allegations that he has levelled against the newspaper in the court. And he has levelled some serious allegations,” the PTI chief said.

‘Only demand for early free and fair polls’

Separately, in a meeting with K-P Chief Minister Mahmood Khan, Imran reiterated that his only demand was an announcement of an early date for free and fair general elections in the country.

The two leaders discussed the overall political situation in the country and the long march arrangements in K-P.

He instructed the chief minister to mobilise the party workers for the party’s ongoing long march towards Islamabad.

Chief Minister Mahmood Khan informed the PTI chief about the arrangements made for the long march.  He also informed him about the statement made by Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah regarding the governor's rule in K-P.

Meanwhile, the former prime minister also chaired a consultative meeting with PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry and other party leaders wherein he was briefed about the long march meetings near Attara Hazari, Jhang and Lala Musa.

The PTI chief also held a meeting with PTI leader and senior lawyer Hamid Khan and was briefed about the cases pending in the Supreme Court.

On this occasion, Imran said that the PTI does not believe in any unconstitutional measures; it was the only party that was fighting for the supremacy of democracy.

‘Govt making COAS appointment controversial’

Meanwhile, speaking to the media in Lahore, PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry criticised the PML-N, PPP and the government for making the process of the next army chief’s appointment “controversial”.

He said appointments in institutions should be implemented in a constitutional manner and blamed the Sharif family and PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari for making them controversial.

He said it was necessary to “preserve and protect” the country’s institutions.

He pointed out that for them the election was more important than any appointment, adding that if the appointment of the army chief was made on merit then there was no need to worry.

Earlier, in a separate media talk, PTI leader Shibli Faraz said that Pakistan was going through uncertainty and only fresh elections could end this. He observed that currently, the country was facing political instability and the people were suffering. “Thus, fresh elections should be announced immediately,” he added.

Referring to the PML-N leadership making the decisions in London, he said that the people sitting in London proved that decisions were being made from abroad. “An independent government was needed to make its own decisions. If the people give us the mandate then they will make their own decisions,” he added.

Asad in Jhang

Kickstarting the march in Jhang, Asad Umar stated that Imran Khan believes the next chief of army staff (COAS) should be appointed based on merit.

Further, he slammed the PML-N leaders “sitting in London, making decisions for Pakistan”. Referring to Nawaz Sharif, he said that the leaders were seeking advice from “a thief who fled the country”.

Responding to a question, Asad said that the PTI had not “started a war to come to power”, and highlighted the party’s successes including the victory by a great lead in the Punjab elections on July 15.

'Lala Musa last pit stop'

Earlier in the day, party leader Musarrat Cheema tweeted that Lala Musa was the last pit stop, adding that a second procession will march from Jhang, under the leadership of PTI secretary general Asad Umar.

She said that besides the two main processions, caravans of party supporters were also heading towards the federal capital from across the country under the leadership of the party's central figures.

"Everyone will reach Rawalpindi together, God willing," she added.