COAS says no letter received from anyone

ISLAMABAD:

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir categorically stated on Thursday that neither did he receive any letter, nor would he read even if he got one, telling media persons that he would instead forward such a letter to the prime minister.

While speaking informally to journalists at an event, the army chief said that the talk of the letter was just a ploy. Though he did not name anyone, his talk come against the backdrop of claims by the PTI leadership that the party founder, Imran Khan, had written two letters to the army chief, while he would also write a third letter.

"I have not received any letter from anyone. Even if I receive a letter, I will not read it. If I receive a letter, I will send it to the prime minister," Gen Asim Munir said. "Any talk of letters is just a ploy," he added.

PTI lawyer Faisal Chaudhry said on Wednesday that Imran had shared with PTI leadership the contents of his third open letter to the army chief, in which he would raise concerns regarding alleged rigging in the last year's general elections.

He stated that the letter would cover six main points and address the issues such as the need for deep structural reforms, the damage caused to democracy by the government's policies, and other critical matters.

Previously, the PTI leadership had confirmed that Imran had written two letters, addressed to the army chief. Earlier, this week an open letter to the army chief was posted on Imran's account on the microblogging website of X. In the letters he expressed concerns on the ongoing situation in the country.

However, in his informal talk, the army chief emphasised that Pakistan was moving forward "in a very good way" and "development is taking place" everywhere. "Pakistan is moving forward and Pakistan has to move forward," he said.

Sources had stated that it became clear from the army chief's conversation that the government and the military were on the same page, adding that the army chief had expressed his confidence in the government through his brief informal chat with the media persons.