PTI calls for fair, independent investigation

Responding to the statement of the military’s media wing, some key leaders of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) came to the defense of former prime minister Imran Khan, calling for a transparent and independent investigation into the allegations leveled by Imran against a military official.

“In my view, the way the ISPR [Inter-Services Public Relations] issued a press release is not right,” said PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry in a TV interview.

The ISPR on Monday lashed out at the PTI chief for leveling "highly irresponsible and baseless allegations against a serving senior military officer without any evidence."

"This fabricated and malicious allegation is extremely unfortunate, deplorable and unacceptable. This has been a consistent pattern for the last one year wherein military and intelligence agencies officials are targeted with insinuations and sensational propaganda for the furtherance of political objectives.

Read Imran asks PM if military officers 'above law'

"We ask the political leader concerned to make a recourse to legal avenues and stop making false allegations." The ISPR further added that the institution reserves the right to take legal course of action against patently false and malafide statements and propaganda.

Responding to the statement, Fawad said: “Imran Khan tried to file an FIR [against the official after an assassination attempt on him in November 2022] but it did not happen, he went to court in 22-A, he was not investigated, the record of JIT [Joint Investigation team] disappeared.”

The denial of investigations and such a press statement suggest a belief that some individuals are above the law in Pakistan, which is destructive to the nation, he wrote on Twitter.

Prior to this, he claimed, a "star officer" was removed from his post after former prime minister Nawaz Sharif's speech on Bilawal Bhutto Zardari's phone call.

“It is being repeatedly said why Imran Khan said a major general should be impeached. When Maryam Nawaz [and] Bilawal complained about a serving brigadier, he was removed … if you are accused, it does not mean that it should not be discussed,” he added.

Read more Imran censured over anti-army tirade

Another senior leader of the former ruling party, Asad Umar, said: "Totally agree with [the] ISPR that a legal recourse should be taken to resolve the allegations. Imran Khan has tried to do that by filing an FIR and approaching the Supreme Court."

He said the institution supporting that legal recourse would be a very positive step forward.

PTI leader Hammad Azhar also spoke out on the current state of law and justice in the country, expressing his concerns about the situation.

"There are no sacred cows in the realm of law and justice. In the past 12 months, citizens have been abducted, tortured, blackmailed and shot at. The victims have been unable to lodge FIRs nominating their accused. The whole country is now seeking answers," added the PTI leader.

Earlier, former premier Imran responded to a tweet of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif by posing him four questions. In the tweet, posted on May 7, the premier had condemned Imran Khan’s attempts to malign and threaten the Pakistan Army and an intelligence agency for the sake of petty political gains.

“His leveling of allegations without any proof against Gen Faisal Naseer and officers of our Intelligence Agency cannot be allowed and will not be tolerated,” he said.

Responding to the social media post, Imran wrote if he could ask the premier to answer questions of a person who has faced two assassination attempts in the last few months.

“Have I, a citizen, the right to nominate those I feel were responsible for assassination attacks on me? Why was I denied my legal and constitutional right?

“Can SS [Shehbaz Sharif] answer why the ISI [Inter-Services Intelligence] took over ICT Judicial Complex evening before my appearance there on 18 March? Why were [the] ISI personnel in the CTD [Counter Terrorism Department personnel] and lawyers’ dress?

“What was the motive and what business did [the] ISI have in the complex? When SS can truthfully answer these questions, all will point to one powerful man and his accomplices all being above the law.

“Then it is time for us to officially declare that in Pakistan there is only law of the jungle where might is right,” added the former premier.