Pakistan

Jatoi tenders resignation after controversial remarks

Jatoi had faced criticism for his anti-army and judiciary remarks made earlier in the day.

Express September 25, 2010

ISLAMABAD: State Minister for Defence Production Sardar Abdul Qayyum Jatoi tendered his resignation reported state television on Saturday evening.

Jatoi had faced criticism for his anti-army and judiciary remarks, and had responded to criticism of his controversial statement by saying freedom of speech is everyone’s right and that he was just expressing his views.

Jatoi had said the army is not meant to kill innocent citizens and alleged that Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary belonged to Faisalabad but that he used a domicile of Balochistan to become a judge. Jatoi had made the remarks when he was talking to the media after his meeting with the president of Jamhoori Watan Party Nawabzada Talal Bugti in Quetta.

Earlier, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani had summoned Sardar Abdul Qayyum Jatoi for his remarks.

Jatoi stated that everyone should be held accountable and not just the members of the Pakistan People’s Party, he also said that the Prime Minister has the right to dismiss him from his post.

Sardar Qayyum Jatoi is also known for his controversial statement on an Express News TV show, where he stated that ‘corruption is everyone’s right’.

COMMENTS (46)

Yasmeen Farrukh | 14 years ago | Reply Bravo jatoi!your views were based on truth.

SKChadha | 14 years ago | Reply The Minister of Defense Production, even while being sacked, is marketing his product (the ‘Gun’ in background) ……. Great devotion…. ? What an Idea Sir Ji …. !!!

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

imran | 14 years ago | Reply The country is going to dogs, all those who matter must realiize that its Pakistan versus the rulers. A stitch in time saves nine.

zubash | 14 years ago | Reply LOL. The comment about corruption was the most hilarious. This guy is funny! PS: Every one should have equal right to be corrupt. I am sure there is consensus on that amongst Pakistani nation though no one would want to admit that. I think it is nothing but envy at the wealth of our politicians, which we believe, rightly or wrongly, was augmented by corruption, that makes all the holier-than-thou Pakistanis among us go into fits of rage while dissing Zardari et al. for alleged corruption while refusing to see the contradictions and the shortcomings of our own conduct.

zubash | 14 years ago | Reply The picture is scary. Are we living in the 21st century?

Ali Haider | 14 years ago | Reply And its time we stop speaking ill about the army. They are minding their own business this time and we should appreciate it.

Dr. Jamal Nasir | 14 years ago | Reply It is also my kind request to Express tribune Newspaper that please be mature enough and maintain standards for your website. Please realize the supreme interests of the country above anything else. After spending many years in different countries of the west, I firmly believe that many of your articles are poor enough and lead to bad journalism and a pathetic national outlook. Please realize your responsibilities and bring out mature responses from your readers.

Dr. Jamal Nasir | 14 years ago | Reply It must be mentioned that army has always taken a military action in Waziristan on the behest of the political government, and its the political government who re-appointed our army chief again. I have lived 64 years of my life in this country and feel that putting blame on the army just isn't right by anyone for that matter. The army is a institution of the state and always ready to serve when needed. We all must not forget that when all goes wrong, it will only be army that will be our lifeline. One must salute the most respectable institution of the state in such times. Nevertheless, one must remind himself and take a sneak peek into the workings of the army. The army is subservient to the MINISTRY OF DEFENCE for all its acqusitions and it CANNOT but anything by itself. Therefore, anyone accusing army of corruption should re-think about the entire process. All fighter jets, tanks, ships/submarines are all acquired by the ministry of defence and passed onto the army. Mr,Jatoi also needs to remind himself that he being the ministry of defence production is the single highest ranking ministry in terms of monetary value. One must also delve deep into his acquired corrupt assets !! Mr. Jatoi has raised his voice in the province where there has been a constant uprising on ethnic lines. A military action is eminent there and before commenting, one must remember that many soldiers will lose there lives. The resolve of the young officers and jawaans to serve for your cause and to give there lives to protect you from the menace of terrorism and ethnic violence everyday must be appreciated by the liberals on this forum. If we wont appreciate, then I am sorry to say we will lose the one more asset of the state. Even if one has to condemn, one must think before one speaks or writes ............. Regards. Dr. Jamal Nasir

Aftab A Khan | 14 years ago | Reply MR Jaoti spoke from his heart PPP is corrupt Judiciary , Bureaucracy, are the branches of this corrupt Society. Wake up MR Pakistan help us out from this mess.

shy | 14 years ago | Reply Confession about corruption.

Aftab Kenneth Wilson | 14 years ago | Reply I think he was provoked to say so because he never new that these types of remarks can be considered as mini blasphemy. If people in some media houses can say or write anything under the umbrella of Azad Press, Azadi e Azhar so why things are being taken so seriously. Tolerance must prevail at all level but on the other hand I would also suggest that these types of remarks must not come from a siting Minister and as such it is good that he has been removed from his post. Just imagine two channels who do not get tired by issuing new dates for the exist of present government are now inviting those so called experts/analysts/intellectuals who are well known persons who completely share their views on giving new dates. The country is already on many cross roads so media needs to show some responsibility rather than sprinkling more petrol on the outburst of this Minister. He is gone so the issue must also go with him.

Asim | 14 years ago | Reply we are going to miss you A.Q.Jatoi . You really are a comical relief.

Azad | 14 years ago | Reply He was not dismissed because of talking against corruption or the judiciary. He was dismissed for speaking about the army and how the people of Pakistan provide them wardi and jotay and therefore, the army should serve the people not try and become the owner of the country. What he said about the army is the truth and the truth bites.

Sajjad Ahmed | 14 years ago | Reply Telling the people that Chief Justice of Pakistan is not from Baluchistan but from Punjab, the man has tried to cause further ethnic strife by telling the people of Baluchistan that CJ is from Punjab thats why he's taking action against the Baluchis. Speaking against the army in Baluchistan, he has visibly tried to act as a demagogue for the people there and trying to instigate the people there to stand up and pick more weapons and challenge all laws of the government and stand against the army in the province. In short, adding further fuel to the BLA. No wonder, he is no different from what Milosovich tried to do in Yugoslavia; the same ethnic demagogue, the same racial divider......

Nadir Ali | 14 years ago | Reply If anyone knows the laws of the government then he must know that saying anything to malign the very institution he is serving under is illegal under the laws of the government and for that the punishment that he has been awarded is purely according to the law. Please learn to appreciate the lawful move by the Prime Minister. .If he was a normal citizen like me and you, it would have been perfectly alright under the free-media that we have right now; but he is a minister for defence production for crying out loud. The very ministry which takes huge sums of money from foreign defence companies and malign the army in return who only get the material goods and not the money from the government. People should also know that defence ministry handles all the monetary issues of the army and army by itself only gets the materials the defence ministry approves ... Please stop maligning army's name !

faraz | 14 years ago | Reply He has said nothing wrong. Many people from other provinces get jobs in Balochistan through fake domiciles; there is nothing unbelieveable about it. All you need is a fake birth certificate; by Pakistani standards, this is childs play.

Mohammad Jawed Iqbal | 14 years ago | Reply He just said but its happening in real May Allah save our people and Pakistan

wasif | 14 years ago | Reply So ashamed one can ,,,that a person who is the minister of state for defence production and his remarks about the armed forces are like this,,,,,, ,,,one can very well imagine that what is the mental capability of the state ministers of our country,,,so sad and so bad

Dr.Naveed Ahmed Bhatti | 14 years ago | Reply If Every Thing is Right in Love & War, Then Every Thing is Possible in Pakistani Politics.

Hassan | 14 years ago | Reply Jatoi told something that others can't dare to do. We all know "we all are corrupt" then why an ordinary citizen of this country will be humiliated of being failing to pay some mere amount of Rupees and those who stole trillions are respectable in society. Make it a Law, it will be better and "Justice will be done for all"

farnice | 14 years ago | Reply what's wrong if ex-minister Abdul Qayuum Jatoi said and i quote below:- "...“everyone including Sindhi, Pashtun, Baloch, Saraiki and Punjabis should get share in corruption.” All he is asking for is a even playing field (field of corruption); After all everybody who can make ill-gotten money in Pakistan is making it and it is not fair that some ethinic groups are benefited more than others. That is not equality and justice as enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan; in all fairness everyone should get his/her fair share in the booty. My KU teacher (1982) i dont want to name him here; once remarked in the class and i shall try to recall his words as accurately as possible; these were his words: If you take a picture of Pakistan from the outer space, Pakistan would look like a bone surrounded by many dogs who want to grab it!!!! Imgaine these were the words uttered in 1982 and it is 2010. I dont know how he would comment now. By the way, that teacher soon left Pakistan probably in to join a big group in the Mideast. P.S. i heard Jatoi sain has resigned after meeting with PM.. it is a lighter punishment, Socrates was punished to drink a cup of poison for speaking the truth.

SARA | 14 years ago | Reply Look at Kalasankoov in the background. It is used to provide protection to the poor ppl of balochistan, who are striving hard for bread. This weapon led Bugti to chaos. Ppl are nt to be ruled by weapons bt deeds.

Tabassum | 14 years ago | Reply He is just dismissed from his office (for trying to justify corruption for others), and nothing more - and that I believe is the first step in right direction !! Appreciation should be done when its due ... lets come out positive ...

Tabassum | 14 years ago | Reply Secondly, if this statement was from an ordinary citizen like you guys above, this is totally fair in our society. After all, you are speaking your heart out everyday, arent you? But coming from defence MINISTER for production, this is totally pathetic !! and on laws of the government too (that is if anybody knows them here) It is totally ILLEGAL to malign the very institution you serve under. So, even if he is dismissed, it is totally lawful under the laws of the government Shouldnt you be standing up for laws when they are followed in their true spirit ?? or are you against that too ??? if yes, then please, you do not have the right to ask for the implementation of any laws in the media.

Tabassum | 14 years ago | Reply "Corruption is everyone's right" ???? You dont see anything wrong with his statement ??? and he is the minister for defence production - the main culprit behind the corruption allegedly done by the army. For all here, army never buys or imports goods itself but they are all permissible only after the defence minister approves them. The defence minister gets everything the army demands. Army only gets the material form of the products but not money itself. The politicians who are sitting as the heads of ministries are majorly responsible for defaming the armed forces of our country. Plus, before you defame the army for anything, get in touch with the spirit of jawaans and officers in the armed forces of the country who are always willing to sacrifice for there nation. Just because of the acts of one general or two you cannot possibly blame the whole institution for it. I, for one, would salute the Pakistan Army, Navy and Airforce for everything they are doing. That is one capable institution in the country so please think once before you try to malign its name. (You can do the contrary if you want it to die down too) Its some sick minded approach of you guys that needs some screw tightening ..

ahmed | 14 years ago | Reply "everyone has the right to be corrupt" This is so deep. Why isn't this right given to politicians and why is corruption simply the right reserved for Army (add Judiciary and Media)

Syed A. Mateen | 14 years ago | Reply This is why sensible people say that “phley tolo phir bolo”.

Natasha | 14 years ago | Reply What he said about the army is absolutely right. What he said about the CJ is nothing but crap. He needs to know more about his background. Iftikhar was born and raised in quetta. He studied in quetta , started his legal practice from quetta , was appointed the AG by the Balochistan govt in 1988 and started working as a judge in the balochistan high court in 1989 , went on to become the balochistan high court chief justice in 1999 before finally becoming the chief justice of the supreme court.

A Suhail | 14 years ago | Reply In a free society individuals are free to air their views. While I have differences with him and his government the way they are running the country I stand up for his right to speak his mind. Army and judiciary are not holy cows and are should e subject to same laws as rest of the arms of state. Here we have people get away with inciting murder of innocent citizens and one man gets the shaft for speaking up.

Mohammad naeem | 14 years ago | Reply Salute to mr abdul qayoom jatoi for speaking truth. Its high time the corruption in every should b discussed in media including judiciary and army.

Syed Nadir El-Edroos | 14 years ago | Reply What a sham! hes resigning? Which generals ego was tickled!

Ahad | 14 years ago | Reply Qayuum Jatoi has exposed the fact that PPP considers corruption a legitimate privilege of being in power. This is also true for our bureaucracy and uniformed services. No wonder the world does not trust anybody in government. The world is aware of the opulent lifestyle of our corrupt bureaucracy and politicians, who own expensive palatial houses and villas abroad. Pakistan has been bled over the years by those who were supposed to serve the people. It is time to come down real hard on corruption. People of Pakistan have faith in the Supreme Court of Pakistan and not on anybody else. Pakistanis must beware of these corrupt men, who have acquired foreign residential status or nationality and come here to loot, plunder and than run away.

john | 14 years ago | Reply Is every one has right to be 'corrupt', isn't that so true!!

S. Ali Raza | 14 years ago | Reply Honest man - he is accepting his part with it - arrest him!

farnice | 14 years ago | Reply This statement of Abdul Qayuum Jatoi reminds me of a long forogtten Danish story that I had read in my school days. It's name is The Emperors' New Clothes. I googled it and luckily found this story on wikipedia. Here is the link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TheEmperor'sNew_Clothes I ask everyone who reads this post to read the said story (if already not done so). I am sure every sensible Pakistani will agree that Mr. jatoi may be compared to the small kid in the crowd who dared to speak the truth - "King is naked." Pakistani Zindabad.

Aziz Hirani | 14 years ago | Reply wht baffles me is that wht a klashankof is doing there !!

Abu Hammad | 14 years ago | Reply Let someone call a spade a spade. If a minister of defense of a country speaks against the bullying of army, this is army spokesman to clear it position. As a matter of fact, army remains the actual ruler all the time.

Nasim | 14 years ago | Reply People like Sardar Abdul Qayyum Jatoi get themselves & their leaders into more trouble than they already are. Hope that the PM gives him a good advice to keep his mouth shut.

Tanzeel | 14 years ago | Reply I don't see anything wrong in his statements.

Ishaq | 14 years ago | Reply it Gives me a great pleasure when someone speaks against the corrupt judiciary at any forum.

Farrukh siddiqui | 14 years ago | Reply Jatoi is man with guts.. Bravo. Pak Army Generals are poodles of American CIA

Asad Baig | 14 years ago | Reply Somebody is in trouble! Was he drunk or something? Some way to share the lime light, huh?

Sher Gondal | 14 years ago | Reply Every Pakistani feels the same way. Jatoi has the courage to say that. I solute him.

Syed Nadir El-Edroos | 14 years ago | Reply Seriously! the army, the government, the judiciary, the bureaucracy, need to stop acting like insecure teenage kids getting wound up every time someone says something they dont like! if they are all so perfect, then why do they need to jump to the defence of individual institutions anytime anyone says something.

Taha Ali Adil | 14 years ago | Reply I don't know how much PPP want to low down its party. I really ashamed to listen such words against my army on soil of pakistan. Army should charge case on it.

Replying to X