ISLAMABAD:
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz on Saturday threatened agitation if the government took any steps against the chief of army staff and director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence prior to the Supreme Court’s decision on Memogate.
Leader of the opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan conveyed his party’s message to the government at a press conference in the capital. Nisar expressed apprehension that the government might try to remove COAS Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and DG ISI Lt. Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha.
“If the government takes any action in desperation, not only the opposition but the entire nation will strongly stand up against it,” Nisar said.
Nisar also asked Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to retract the statement he gave in the National Assembly, which appeared to hold the security establishment responsible for the presence of al Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in the country. “What services did the Prime Minister render to Pakistan by questioning the defence institutions for the presence of Osama bin Laden in the country?” he asked.
“This is what the entire world is blaming us for, and with PM Gilani hurling these allegations, they do not need any more evidence,” he added, saying the government should not tarnish the image of the army at a time when our soldiers are giving their lives in fight against terrorism.
Nisar went on in this vein, claiming President Asif Zardari started such a trend two and a half years ago when, on the eve of Benazir Bhutto’s death anniversary, he pointed the finger at the judiciary and the armed forces regarding conspiracies against the government.
“This government has weakened the system to that extant that it needs a statement from COAS to regain confidence,” he said. Nisar also said that the prime minister had repeatedly stated that all institutions, including the army and ISI, were under his supervision, and therefore his remarks of them being a ‘state within a state’ were ironic. He further said that the PM had tried to divert attention from his government’s ‘incompetence and malpractices’.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 25th, 2011.
COMMENTS (19)
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@Cautious: First convince the US media and public about the presence or actual killing of OBL in pakistan with a solid proof and then blow your trumpet of terrorists hiding in pakistan.
@Murad: Army has been supporting the democracy that is why this most corrupt and almost dysfunctional Government has survived till this day. Neither removal of Kiyani or Pasha is an issue nor any extra measure to exercise additional control over the Army is required. Today the Army is the most disciplined and most organised institution of our country. Additional political controls will politicize the Army and it will become an other force like our police. This will be the most unfortunate thing to happen to our country. Our salvation lies in having better working relations between the Government and the Army. The Government should keep its hands off the Army and Army should stay away from the politics. Government is itself responsible for the present crisis. They should submit to the authority of Supreme Court, start cooperating with the court in the inquiry into the Memogate and the crisis will automatically evaporate.
Though I am not with the present Govt. but opposition to questioning the Govt's writ over the army & ISI is a negative development. The opposition parties should support the Govt. in exercising its control over the army at least NOW in the history of Pakistan.
If at all the dismissal of general kiyani and general ahmad shuja pasha takes place, history will repeat itself and a new 'musharraf' will appear on the scene who will treat zardari and giolani in the same way as did musharraf do to nawaz brothers. However, this time saudi arabia wouldn't come to the rescue of zardari and gilani.
Mr.Gilani and Mr.10% ....Leave our only institution to life as all other institutions have been finished by your magical cabinet and under charismatic chaotic cheating guidance of Mr.10%........but Chaudhry Sb ...My question goes to u....Ur party supported this government ....u brought Mr.10% in presidency...U and Ur part are equally responsible for this turmoil...U and UR party is not even resigning from parliament...U are actually waiting for ur turn....we have serious allegations against ur party....
Even if Kiyani and Pasha are removed, the Government will not be able to get rid of Memogate case because the new incumbents will also take up the same position which their predecessors have taken. Ordinarily if some is accused of treason or plotting aginst the national security then he is handed over to the security agencies for interrogation. But in this case the Prime suspect is being housed in the Prime Minister's house. Right from the first day Government's hue and cry and efforts to avoid an independent inquiry are indicative of their involvement in the Memogate. After all what is the harm in handling this case through Supreme Court. If the president is really not involved in this scandal then the Government should cooperate with the Supreme Court and allow the case to proceed in the normal manner. Inquiry through the Parliament is futile because the Parliament does not have the requisite where withal to investigate criminal cases.
@Cautious: OBL is not the only terrorist, there are hundreds of other foreign terrorists who are hiding in the border areas and also in some big cities of Pakistan. All these so called terrorists were brought to Pakistan and Afghanistan by the United States. When they were serving the US objectives against Soviet Union US used to call them Mujahideen and now when they are fighting against yet an other invader which happens to be the US then they have been declared terrorists. What a shameful hypocrisy.
Another try to take people's sympathy, sorry Nisar, you lose.
The denials in comparison to admitting the OBL situation are far worse. There's not a person outside of Pakistan that doesn't have a policy to automatically reject any statement they don't like just because of who gives it believes it was an innocent mistake and the dodging it/lying about it has only made it look worse.
Talk about an ideological mess and you have PML-N, at one moment they are at the throats of the establishment and at other moment, they show as if they are madly in love with them...a case of bi-polar disorder it is!
Guys are you aware that the Abbotabad commission has not find any evidence yet that woul prove that Bin Laden was present there? Gen Mirza Baig has already said it clearly that it was a drama staged by America to embarrass Pakistan. Check out Shahidnama episode with Mirza Aslam Baig
OBL was hiding for 6 years outside the Pakistan Military Academy -- yet no one has lifted a finger to determine who was helping him. It really doesn't matter what Gilani puts in his speeches - it's apparent to the entire World that important people high up within your power structure were protecting him.
PPP is looking for its removal by army to serve as lifeline to a corrupt party. PPP lost its charisma after coming into power and demonstrating bad governance in front of open media.
Mr chaudhry. How about warning of national protest on removing PM and PRESIDENT. After all no other person have told them to fear their insecurity but our ELECTED CHIEF EXECUTIVES been haunted by their bitter past regarding the same two forces of judiciary and army. So the claims and blames by Gilani sb. are not aimless.
Ideally , the CJ should be smart enough to know who is and where does the problem lie. and for this very reason his majesty should give the verdict that there is not sufficient evidence to prove the connection of MEMO to the President however the Memo was a move by Ambassador Haqqani to save the PPP led govt. The CJP should clearly declare that MR IJAZ MAnsoor was playing a double game with PPP and ARMY on behalf of someone??? and Army chief and ISI chief were indirectly involved in preparing for the removal of PPP govt but since the Evidences against both The President and the Army chief and ISI chief is not sufficient enought So, the supereme court is sending the the case of Mr president ,Army chief and ISI chief should be decided by the representative of the common man of the country . Thus there should a debate and voting in the parliament for the removal of Mr President Asif Ali Zardari, Army Chief Mr Kiyani and ISI chief General Pasha. .................... Case closed New president should be elected the both houses and Army chief and ISI chief should be based on seniority instead of recommendation of Mr Ex army chief and Prime minister.
ok now Mr.Nisar isn't it the same Agency Suppoting IK against PML(N).
The deep state party is again in bed with the deep state. PTI seems the only hope against all ISI lackeys.
Hypocracy at its best.