It was one-on-one, closed-door and over three hours long.
Little is known about what was discussed, except an official statement - but the language of the statement is telling. Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani appeared to be backtracking from the assertions he, himself, and his party men have been making over the past few days on the Memogate controversy.
The official statement issued by the media office of the prime minister termed murmurs of a civilian-military stand-off mere ‘rumors’.
“Taking serious note of the rumors regarding a confrontation over the Memo issue, the prime minister strongly rejected the notion,” the statement said.
As the Memogate controversy unfolded, the rhetoric of the PPP and some of its allies has been vehemently accusatory – alleging that a fledgling democratic phase was being conspired against.
A few hours before this meeting, Gilani, while jointly chairing a meeting of PPP parliamentary party along with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, told party members that the memo issue was created by ‘certain forces’ to pack up the democratically-elected government.
According to insiders he had also castigated the armed forces for approaching the Supreme Court directly with its replies in the memo case instead of coming through the ministry of defence.
“They (army and ISI) should have adopted the proper channel in filing their replies,” sources quoted PM as saying during the meeting.
But the statement following the Kayani-Gilani meeting had the contrary to say.
“The prime minister and the army chief also agreed that replies forwarded by the COAS and DG ISI were in response to the notice of the Honourable Court, through proper channel and in accordance with the rules of business and should not be misconstrued as a standoff between the Army and the government,” read the brief statement issued after the meeting.
“The prime minister reiterated that the Government of Pakistan and its institutions remained committed to their constitutional roles and obligations to a democratic and prosperous future for Pakistan,” it added.
Addressing a Senate session few days ago, Gilani is on the record expressing fears that a confrontation over the memo issue could be devastating for the entire system.
According to his spokesman, the prime minister told the army chief that the government’s stance regarding the jurisdiction of the court on the memo issue was still to be heard by the court.
Another backtrack
The federal government was not the only one backtracking.
Mansoor Ijaz, the Pakistani-American businessman at the centre of the memogate scandal, has backtracked on his text message about ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmad Shuja Pasha’s tour of some Arab states allegedly to muster support for a possible military coup.
A blog published in The Independent referred to a text message in which Ijaz reportedly said that a senior US official had informed him that Gen Pasha had approached senior Arab leaders in a bid to gather support for deposing President Zardari.
“I was just informed by senior US intel that GD-SII Mr P asked for, and received permission from senior Arab leaders a few days ago to sack Z. For what its worth,” read Ijaz’s message.
It is clearly written in the message that permission was asked for and given.
However Ijaz speaking on television on Friday said the following: “no one ever said to me that General Pasha received permission from somebody to conduct a coup, that’s not what they said.”
Ijaz goes on to say: “What they said was that he had toured Arab countries right after the bin Laden raid taken place, and that he had in fact made clear to those Arab leaders that he met with that there were a significant degree of stress, if you will, between the civilian sector and the establishment about laying blame on what. Again, these are intelligence sources talking to me; I don’t have a transcript that says that; I don’t have the notes of a meeting in which any of those things were said.”
(Read: Prime minister’s address)
Published in The Express Tribune, December 17th, 2011.
COMMENTS (39)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1714024018-0/ModiLara-(1)1714024018-0-270x192.webp)
Army is quiet good at apprehending politicians but what was Inteligence chief doing when ussam bin Ladin was living in Pakistan under his nose and what was Me kiyani doing when his army post was bombarded for over two hours these Genrals should be prosecuted and I wonder if suprem court will take Suo moto action
@asim.malik: No country ever survives because of its generals. The generals survive because of a country and its governance.Generals are supposed to implement the wishes of governance and not the other way round.
@Not me: Dear "Not me" I am sure it is not you.
Instead of discrediting & abusing President as dishonest bring no confidence motion or a movement against corruption like Anna Hazare but do not support Army taking reins of your nation.
Shadowy military rule is waiting ?.... Again.
@M Khan: Army may be the only institution functioning in Pakistan but, the way it has been and still continues to function is the sole cause for Pakistan loosing credibility and respect which translates to the much talked about sovereignty, loosing part of the country and loosing territory within the remaining country. True or not, the army of no other country in the world talked about in such a scandalous manner - trying to get permission from other countries to overthrow the government of its own country. Has the army really protected the country or has the civilian government protected the army (as in the case of Nawaz Sherif rushing to meet President Clinton during the Kargil adventure) ? Respect and credibility is what others give you, not what you demand from them. If Mansor Izaz, a person described as lacking credibility, can singlehandedly bring down the army to its knees, it has no better credibility than MI. In the long run, if the Army functions within its constitutional role, it would be a better force.
let the democracy to flourish in pakistan. there is justice, economic boom, respect for merit and above all govt is ensuring basic human rights. then why the hell we believe in such trash scandals. the army and judiciary has no business in politics when all is heaven.
@Hafeez Pasha: Well said - you are seeing the wood for the trees,
3 Questions for DG ISI Shuja Pasha and PAK Army :
In what capacity and permission DG Shuja Pasha met Mansoor Ijaz in london ? Acc to constitution he will report any/all matters to Prime Minister and then await his orders
Mansoor Ijaz was called enemy of PAK and agent of CIA in past by ISI and GHQ. Howcome this enemy of PAK become trust worthy friend of Mr. Shuja pasha ?
For a theory, if he has now become a Trust worthy friend, the same Mansoor Ijaz also said DG Shuja Pasha went to Saudiz/Arab gov to discuss and conspire ways and means of removal of an elected Presidient. Is this right or wrong ? If wrong , howcome the memo is true and if right why Pasha is still in his office ?
And please try to understand Army is not trying to derail democracy, do not listen to the western and indian media.
@ all those who want Pasha to resign, my two cents, the evidence regarding the allegations is very different on Pasha compared to what was on Haqqani.
An intelligence source quoted to Ijaz, now there are many questions, whats that intelligence source? is it reliable? how did the source came to know about it? If the source can point towards a country and that coutnry confirms the allegations only than it is reasonable to ask Pasha to resign.
On the other hand, Mansoor Ijaz has evidence through BBM on Haqqani. So he should have resigned and he did. Now Mansoor Ijaz might be lying or the evidence might not be accurate but that is what the court has to decide.
Also intelligence service no where seeks permissions to conduct such meetings, they are suppose to be confidential.
Just to point out, I am against army rule in any case!! But I dont think Army wants the rule, they just want to get to the bottom of the issue, which is there right in a democartic country.
my two cents.
“The prime minister reiterated that the Government of Pakistan and its institutions remained committed to their constitutional roles and obligations to a democratic and prosperous future for Pakistan,” This is welcome that democracy is taking roots in Pakistan and Army has started feeling its obligations under the constitution. The civil government and parliament should assert itself in the interest of peaceful development of the people of Pakistan by avoiding conflicts with neighbors and disconnecting links between the Army and Taliban. Only a peaceful and progressive Pakistan would improve the future of the people of Pakistan. .
the time to understand that Pakistan is in effect being ruled by army and a y civilian govt is just an under dog In their hatred for zardari prop,e forget that I'm effect he is an honorary president heading the show of democracy -
@M Khan: And so they should help and assist other intitutions to establish their authority and functioing within the precribed parameters set in the constitution. Unfortunately, despite all the setbacks suffered by them in tha last 6 months, they do not spare any chances to pressurize the civilian administration. So called memogate, obviously, is one of such cases. Pathetic ! Isn't it?
Yes, it has a country at risk and on verge of dictatorship.
Pasha should resign just like HH resigned!
Real issues like economy in pits are not debated instead none issues like memogate taking so much importance. Mansoor Ijaz is a fraud, a liar & who hates Pakistan, I do not understand why are we taking him so seriously. When Muellen thought that memo has no worth than why are we so concerned. Strange & weird.
It is irony of our nation that we serve and save the leaders who are corrupt, disloyal, head of MAFIAs, gang leaders etc but not our beloved country, as we are their servants and slaves. Every day we see party politicians are fighting on news channels to save the reputation of their party leaders and debating to safeguards the interest of Nawaz Sharif, Zardari etc, have we ever heard they are fighting for Pakistan and what is in the best interest of our nation. I see many people writing on memeogate and such like news but have we ever shown our concerns about Alishba 8 year old girl raped and murdered, and so many young girls and boys are falling to such attrocities. Did any politician talked about this issue...NO, they are just save gaurding their interests. We the people of pakistan, as a Nation, has to decide about our country, not these leaders. BUT unfortunately we are still captives of our GREAT leaders and talk on their behalf. GOD Bless us all.
Why should Pasha go when the man who accused him has backtracked from his statement? Also intelligence agencies do not require anyone's permission to collect intelligence, which is what Pasha was doing. They are already authorized to do so. Does the CIA Chief ask Obama's permission before meeting anyone? Pasha was doing what he has been tasked to do by the Pakistani state: to gather intelligence and to collect evidence.
Every country has an army , Pakistan army has a country
@asim.malik: Do u think that life is worth living anymore?
Difference between Indian and pakisktan army : indian army chief requesting the ministry of defense and law ministry to change his official Date of birth...the government rejects the request and army chief now headed for supreme court for redressal...
Why the hell government of Pakistan allow so much leeway to the army....army is a wing of government and not the other way round..
Look at the bottom line; a failed government, bad governance, rising prices, appointments based on non merit and cronnyism.Rising prices, failed economy, increasing poverty in the country.This government should have offered apology and resigned
Most of the time our way of thinking is so naive. For example I keep on seeing/hearing/reading that did Gen Pasha ask PM when he went to meet Mansoor Ejaz. Lets grow up..... is Gen Pasha heading a business company where he has to keep his boss updated about what he is doing. In fact even in businesses a CEO,COO,GM levels do not have to tell about each and ever meeting/activity. The kind of sensitive works which agencies handle are obvious,therefore, we need to use our common sense when thinking that how they have they have to report,etc.
Because of their doubted credebility (politicians) military always play and gets opporunity.Politicians and rulres have to be sincere with thier people.This is the only way to keep away the army from politics
Pasha should have the decency to resign.
It is a pathetic site to see that Army in Pakistan can act without even going through their constitutional masters that is Ministry of Defence. And it is more pathetic to see that the prime Minister is gulping back what ever he said; after a 3 hours meeting with the Army Chief.But it does not bother the People of Pakistan as they have seen the worst scenes.
There are some basic principles, any independent civilized nation obey..and at its root is self governace..govern by people it elects or selects. Can all Pakistani first pledge no to army coup and make Kayani publickly state that.. eeverything else is secondary..Article 6 starts here..And I hope, the army, seeing Egypt,Libya and Seria (may be they are feeling better) themselve pledge themselves to civilian government
Kayani must be putting pressure on Gilani to takeover on behalf of military establishment. Towards a covert coup and a shadow military rule?!
i think gove will remain intact :(
Pasha has to go, for all the conspiracies he has hatched, and is planning to hatch against the people of Pakistan.
Now Kayani wants all political forces to shut up on Mansoor Ijaz's claim abt Pasha, because it naturally warrants Article 6 against Pasha. Thanks to Mansoor now even Zardari could survive, its call give and take.
Its another FIX !!! Nothing more than this charade to continue !!!! Try running a Nation without Aid and providing the Basic Facilities too, first !!!
The news says "should not be considered as a clash between the government and the army". This statement must have poured cold water over all the hopes of undemocratic forces that were gleeful at the backdoor politics. Pakistani army is in a weak position and if it deos not prove its partiotism and committment to its oath and constitution then it would hurt the institution more than what Mush did. Nobody in this day and age would tolerate an army dictatorship epecially our aid donors except some Muslim sheikhdoms.
Few questions army should also reply to nation. With what capacity and permission ISI chief met with Mansoor Ijaz? Secondly as Bushra Ghaur (MNA ANP) rightly pointed out today that if Mansoor Ijaz alleges Haqqani, and he was asked to resign then why not same rule applies for DG ISI who was also alleged by Mansoor Ijaz and he has NOT resigned so far?
When any thing comes against democratic set up, it's acceptable to powerful Military but if any thing surfaces against Establishment ( AbbotAbad issues + Osama's safe haven near Kakul Academy+ Journalist Saleem Shahzad's case) then they again force democratic set up to come forward for help.Remember Zardari's speech in favor of army in Ghari Khuda Bux.
Bottom Line: This country cant be run through dictatorship and behind the scene driving.Pls let the democracy function in country and let the people decide the fate of Zardari Govt through ballots in next election.