PPP, PML-N interpret Kayani remarks to own advantage
Opinion differs on who the intended audience of the statement was.
ISLAMABAD:
Military chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani’s statement the day before asking all institutions to operate within the paradigms of the constitution has been lauded by all the political parties.
However, its interpretation means different things to different people across the political sphere.
What one segment considers a reference to the growing assertiveness of the judiciary is seen by another as a retort to the government’s ‘defiance’.
One thing all the groups agree on is Kayani’s resolve to keep military and politics at an arm’s length and support the fragile democratic system.
In the speech Kayani delivered at the General Headquarters (GHQ), he urged all the organs of the state to adhere to their roles defined in the constitution.
The Pakistan Peoples Party, which has a history of strained relations with the army, seemed more upbeat than cautious in its immediate response to the chief of army staff’s address.
Senior minister Nazar Muhammad Gondal said: “In my view, the army chief has made it clear that state organs should stay within the realm of the constitution and avoid confrontation with each other. That is what we (PPP) have been saying for years.”
“I think it is a positive move,” he said, when asked if it was appropriate for the military chief to give political statements at a time when the prime minister faces a threat of being ousted.
When asked who he thought the army chief was referring to while making the comments, he said “we will have to understand which state organ is overstepping its defined mandate.”
Though the minister did not mention the Supreme Court, PPP leaders have been publicly and privately blaming the judiciary for a belligerent stance against the incumbent establishment.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, on the other hand, feels no need to rely on covert criticism. It remains convinced that Kayani’s statements were made with reference to the premier and the military itself.
“It is a welcome move … it shows that the military has decided to detach itself from politics. It was the right message,” said PML-N spokesperson Senator Mushahidullah Khan.
“It is a pleasant change to see the military has realised that it needs to keep its own role in check too. In a way it was retrospection.”
Khan feels Kayani’s comment was also directed towards the prime minister for defying the Supreme Court’s orders to write a letter to Swiss authorities.
The Awami National Party, an ally of the PPP and coalition partner in Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa, is also optimistic about the statement. In ANP’s view the statement was for all: the government, the judiciary and “above all” for the military itself.
ANP’s information secretary Senator Zahid Khan said: “They (the army) are the ones facing the most criticism and if they are now promising to respect the constitution, it is a welcome move.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2012.
Military chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani’s statement the day before asking all institutions to operate within the paradigms of the constitution has been lauded by all the political parties.
However, its interpretation means different things to different people across the political sphere.
What one segment considers a reference to the growing assertiveness of the judiciary is seen by another as a retort to the government’s ‘defiance’.
One thing all the groups agree on is Kayani’s resolve to keep military and politics at an arm’s length and support the fragile democratic system.
In the speech Kayani delivered at the General Headquarters (GHQ), he urged all the organs of the state to adhere to their roles defined in the constitution.
The Pakistan Peoples Party, which has a history of strained relations with the army, seemed more upbeat than cautious in its immediate response to the chief of army staff’s address.
Senior minister Nazar Muhammad Gondal said: “In my view, the army chief has made it clear that state organs should stay within the realm of the constitution and avoid confrontation with each other. That is what we (PPP) have been saying for years.”
“I think it is a positive move,” he said, when asked if it was appropriate for the military chief to give political statements at a time when the prime minister faces a threat of being ousted.
When asked who he thought the army chief was referring to while making the comments, he said “we will have to understand which state organ is overstepping its defined mandate.”
Though the minister did not mention the Supreme Court, PPP leaders have been publicly and privately blaming the judiciary for a belligerent stance against the incumbent establishment.
The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, on the other hand, feels no need to rely on covert criticism. It remains convinced that Kayani’s statements were made with reference to the premier and the military itself.
“It is a welcome move … it shows that the military has decided to detach itself from politics. It was the right message,” said PML-N spokesperson Senator Mushahidullah Khan.
“It is a pleasant change to see the military has realised that it needs to keep its own role in check too. In a way it was retrospection.”
Khan feels Kayani’s comment was also directed towards the prime minister for defying the Supreme Court’s orders to write a letter to Swiss authorities.
The Awami National Party, an ally of the PPP and coalition partner in Khyber-Pukhtunkhwa, is also optimistic about the statement. In ANP’s view the statement was for all: the government, the judiciary and “above all” for the military itself.
ANP’s information secretary Senator Zahid Khan said: “They (the army) are the ones facing the most criticism and if they are now promising to respect the constitution, it is a welcome move.”
Published in The Express Tribune, May 2nd, 2012.