ISLAMABAD: Shooting down any talk of a clash between civil and military forces, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that the army’s strong-worded statement, in response to his earlier criticism, was released after his consent.
The premier said that he spoke to Chief of Army staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani over the phone prior to the ISPR’s release of the military reaction.
Prime Minister Gilani elaborated that Gen Kayani contacted him about the army’s desire to issue a clarification on his recent interview with a Chinese daily.
“The army chief issued the statement following my consent,” Gilani said, adding that he did not have any problem with the issuance of a clarification.
The premier added that his interview with the Chinese media was prescheduled and took place before the army chief’s visit to China.
“We have always stood by the army and we have nothing against anyone,” the prime minister said while addressing the media.
Responding to questions over his remarks about the DG ISI and the COAS, Prime Minister Gilani said: “They did not write to the defence ministry and sidestepped the Ministry of Law and Justice and merely sent a copy to the Attorney General. They sent the replies straight to the Registrar.”
Gilani added that his remarks did not reflect personal grudges towards the armed forces but a matter of rules of business that were violated when the DG ISI and the COAS filed replies to the Supreme Court.
The prime minister said that the democratic system will flourish and continue to function in the country and the Senate elections would be held on time. He added that he considers the developments a “diversion” in a bid to stop Senate elections.
He further said that there should be a balance between the institutions in the country.
Responding to queries regarding the sudden dismissal of the defence secretary, Prime Minister Gilani said the secretary was sacked for disciplinary reasons following a detailed inquiry held by government officials.
The prime minister further said that the Supreme Court’s remarks regarding him a ‘dishonest man’ were very hurtful.
He added that he was surprised that the Supreme Court reached to a conclusion without even hearing him first.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 12th, 2012.
COMMENTS (47)
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@Observer: My reply was in response to queries raised by Bilal and beatle. So, you perhaps do not realize the context. "Did Musharaf inform or seek permission from the PM and national command authority to invade Kargil?" Can you tell me why do you believe the then PM and not Musharraf? Secondly, this is an issue which is still controversial. Thirdly, if existing Govt thought that it had not control over the Armed Forces then what is the reason that it did not assert itself earlier? Why has the PPP reacted now once its own credibility has been shrouded with mystery and deceit? It feels as if the role of the US Govt in maligning Pakistan world-wide has been taken over by the PPP now!
PM Gilani gave his permission to being threatened and belittled by the army in a public statement....how unconvincing. Gilani will forever be remembered as one of the most disgraceful, spineless and corrupt prime ministers this unfortunate country has ever had.
@Tahir:
"The decision to go to war rests with the National Command Authority headed by the PM."
That may be the story on paper. In reality it is the army that makes the decision to go to war. Have you forgotten Kargil? Did Musharaf inform or seek permission from the PM and national command authority to invade Kargil?
@bilal ahmed and beatle The decision to go to war rests with the National Command Authority headed by the PM. Ministry of Defence has nothing to do with it. In the simplest terms, Operational control implies control on operations after the war has started. Better you understand the structure of Pakistan's Higher Defence Organization. I hope I was able to make you understand. For further clarifications you may ask my email. Further, ISPR is one tool of maintaining and managing civil-military relations. So, why should one become emotional on ISPR issuing a statement?
What a mess....
In late decemeber the Prime Minister said himself that we wrote the reply togather(the army and the PPP government) AND NOW HE IS SAYING THAT WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL.
We would always oppose military games and its role in politics. We support a democratic Pakistan. All changes should come via democratic means. Eary elections are need of the hour and should be announced ASAP. No exucses for army to get involved.
“We have always stood by the army and we have nothing against anyone,” the prime minister said while addressing the media. He should have completed his sentence by adding, " We have always stood by the army and we have nothing against anyone but spared no effort to let them down".
Army statement given with my consent: Gilani ...YA RIGHT!!
Mr Gilani, history will remember you for telling the truth and standing by it. Army can not be above Parliament. Army is the servant and not master. Remain firm, democracy will win this time in Pakistan. Most army take overs in Pakistan were with American backings. This time there is no American backing. Take the bull by horn. You will come out winner.
democracy is not meant for us, there was, is and will be no progress under this pseudo system
@bilal ahmed: Yes they have gone into war by themselves. '65 and '71 wars were in the military dictatorships. The only war fought in civil rule was that of Kagil and civilians in Islamabad knew nothing about it. In fact Nawaz Shareef was informed by them Indian PM Vajpaei.
@Observer: Does that mean the practice to continue? I mean someone had to make the change, or at least try to do. Though not an admirer of current rulers, I support them in their effort to bring the armed forces under elected government at least for admin matters. And developements of last 2 days seem to be the first step ib that direction. If successful, it can facilitate the affairs for the coming regime.
@Amjad: Voice of wisdom. I fully support.
Doing flip flow is way of Pakistani leaders.
Look who is saying this, the MOST CORRUPT GOVT of all time who ave broken all the records of by-passing any steps...
Next he'll be telling us that the statement he gave to Chinese journalist was given with COAS's consent. Ha ha ha
@all people who are saying "is army is above law and accountable to no one?"
I must ask them, Is president and prime minister above law? Why don't they follow the court orders. And in my opinion, in islam even the khalifa does not have any immunity. Then why in islamic republic of Pakistan, there is a law to give immunity to President and Prime minister against court law.
They are all answerable to Almighty Allah. And when he takes revenge, his revenge is greatest from all others.
Time for everyone to think about it.
No matter how incompetent the government maybe, there's no moral justification for ISPR and SC to do what they are doing. They don't realize the people are the final judge; and we are not simpletons. In fact they might be doing PPP a favor for the next elections without realizing it. As an example see the 'favor' Sharif did to Imran Khan and now the younger generation is crazy about IK and couldn't care less about the old fashioned Sharifs. Intellectual intelligence is not the monopoly of those who were lucky enough to climb up to the most powerful positions.
Gilanis wish will not come true, the SC will hopefully find these crooks in contempt and fire them, the Army will remove them and have new elections.
rubbish governments rubbish plea, i stand firm with military to remove such garbage government who has massively failed to serve the people on any scale, in addition to causing mega failures in state institutions, for heavens sake this isnt because of military coups, it is underperformance of such rubbish governments that renders nations such poor conditions that pakistan faces today
By the way, what is wrong with the Judiciary. How come they convict PM of being a dishonest man without even hearing him. BTW, how about the dishonest Judges?
Military must learn to live under a civilian rule. It must not be allowed to violate the constituion and play with rule of law.
Enough is enough!!
All this talk of memogate. Why would the military overthrow an elected government because of their incompetence??
Something does not make sense
@well-wisher: dont compare india with pak...pak is on freefall...India is rising with high world rankings..there is no comparison between the two....even afghan is now better off than pak....
PPP came in power with 43% bogus votes... so technically this isn't democracy
PM right u r, only destination is democracy, kiani & pasha must go home.
Steel in your spine, steel in your relentless stare, steel in your guts! People are the ultimate masters! Let People triumph!
anyone who defends the PM is insulting the whole country. I am not for Martial Law or dictatorship but please see what this really is........its a non issue and GOVERNMENT is trying its best to get sacked by taking on the courts and the army........thats the ONLY hope PPP has of being able to come to power anytime soon.
If PPP completes its time then it will not have any excuse to ask for government because it has completely failed. However, if they are sacked a few months before their term is up then they will say "hum naay pakistan kii taqdeer badal dainii thii agar pura time miltaa" its beyond sad, it is just sickening that PPP is playing with the future of the company to secure its own political future.........
as the CJ said PPP.....party before country.............that should be their new slogan.
Bring an incompetent government, the PPP has been willing to compromise rather readily but now is the time to put their foot down to impose the supremacy of civilian democratic set-up. But do they have guts to do so?
In any other country, Kiyanis and Pashas would have resigned (or commited suicide literally in Japan) for having lost the trust of government - not in Pakistan though. No wonder it makes one believe the existence of the 'deep state" which works in parallel to an elected government, ready to undermine it.
ISPR's statement is highly unprofessional and proves that it is a state within a state. For God's sake, you are constitutionally under civilian government. pay at least a lip service to the constitution that you and your predecessors are so quick to throw to the winds. i guess it is not treason but memo is.
I'm with the elected Prime Minister of Pakistan on this matter. He's very right and the replies should have been sent through Proper channel. Period!
Bein an Indian I would say one thing. Let democracy take its roots in Pakistan. There is no quick fix. After 64year of democracy, at least various state goverments in India and indian goverment are realizing that they not make fool or exploit people for very long. And I see as a good sign. After all western countries took more than 100 year to be mature democracy. But one fundamental thing, whome you elect is responsible or will be resposible for you today or tomorrow. Generals are not. If I am wrong then sight an example
@tahir...
so u r saying that our army can go to war or not with any country without the government's consent :P .... Army is under executive... and it should remain so...!! the today's ISPR statement was not required ... if they had restrained people would have laughed more on Gilani's statements that he issued in an interview....but our army ego can not tolerate such a statement by the PM whose credibility is zero in the eyes of people... !!
Election not Selection.
These words would have some meaning if they were backed up with a credible performance of his government.
@Amjad: The words used were "no operational control" and that is correct. MoD exercises Administrative control over the Armed Forces and not the operation control which is the domain of Services commanders. My suggestion: Put your record straight first and then commit. Otherwise, its a heresy!
Pakistanis dont know what is good for themselves!
Please Go and spare the lives of innocent people of Pakistan.
Worst elected civilian government that can be thrown out in elections is 100 times better than a army rule which have reduced Pakistan to what it is today.
Although I am no fan of the PPP and Zardari in particular, I agree that Pakistan's salvation lies in rule of law and democracy. I can't understand why Rtd General Lodhi in his government capacity would say that the civilian government has no say over the military and ISI. Does he not understand how a democratic government works or does he think the army is above the law and accountable to no one. I plan to vote out the PPP civilian government but they deserve to fulfull their term in the greater good of promoting a system of governance and allowing the development of a system in Pakistan.
Ch Shujaat advised President Zardari in coalition partners meeting to resign immediately to save his Gov. party and his own skin and to avoid institutional conflict, Ch Shujaat said the same to Prime minister Shaukat Aziz after CJ, steel mill case controversy but Musharaf and Shaukat aziz neglected and later on they faced the music, same case is gonna happen with Zardari
Let us all wait and see who is more powerful. Democracy or Martial Law?
If Democracy will win this time, it means that there will be no more martial law imposed in the country any more.
absolutely rite....im with him....