Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
Chaudhry Sarfraz Anjum Kahlon - political advisor to Musharraf - alleged that Asif had questioned the "bravery" of the former president and ridiculed former chief of army staff. Following the remarks, a statement by APML described the defence minister’s remarks as "unpatriotic, disturbing and in violation of his ministerial responsibilities."
"Asif should immediately issue an apology to the citizens of Pakistan and also submit his resignation," Kahlon demanded.
"Asif’s position had become untenable and his presence as defence minister was detrimental to the morale of the Armed Forces," he added.
The political advisor to the former president warned that “opponents of Musharraf will not succeed in their malicious designs and those pursuing the path of personal revenge were not acting in the best interests of the country.”
He added that "Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's personal vendetta against Musharraf was creating severe friction between state institutions which could lead to unpredictable consequences."
COMMENTS (61)
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@Adil: Of course they can't match musharraf. Kargil debacle, suicide bombing origination, drone attacks, corruption as daily lifestyle, NRO, 12th may massacre, bridges being built by generals caving in in days, railway locomotives being imported (railway station platforms being cut to accomodate them) by generals running out of steam in days, foreign agents like raymond davis entering freely the country in herds. Nope it's pretty impossible to match Musharaf.
@Truther:
Not only he did not resign but he shamelessly accepted the post of Joint Chief of Staff Committee also in August, 1999 immediately after the Kargil fiasco.
I find it amusing, and somewhat disturbing, how a large proportion of my Pakistani compatriots have no idea of what the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech means. Kh. Asif. in both his personal capacity and government role as Defense Minister, has every right to criticize a current or retired army officer, up to and including the COAS. I find it shocking actually that people start threatening the Minister with veiled threats. In this particular instance he has criticized a former COAS and president. Why do we in Pakistan need to treat personages - dead or living - with reverence at the exclusion of criticism? Improvement can only happen in our nation when we are not afraid of CRITICAL THINKING part of which is criticizing those in power.
Did musharraf resign as COAS over Kargil debacle??
To the armed forces, Jinnah’s message was quite clear and well-defined briefly. On August 14th 1947, he addressed the armed forces of nascent Pakistan, saying:
“Do not forget that the armed forces are the servants of the people and you do not make national policy; it is we, the civilians, who decide these issues and it is your duty to carry out these tasks with which you are entrusted.”
@Aam Aadmi:
Also note that Khawaja Asif's father was at the forefront of Fatima Jinnah's campaign for restoration of democracy in the 60's. The same Fatima Jinnah who was labelled as an anti-state element by the Army led by Field Marshal (Self Appointed) Ayub Khan.
@Mirza: Whatever Khawaja Asif said in the National Assembly during the budget speech in June 2006 was also the ideology of PPP. But the people elected on PPP tickets always have put themselves up for sale rather than showing courage to take real issues in the parliament.
@Syed: Khawaja Asif has publicly apologized his family's linkage with military dictators in the past. Please take the pain to read his address to the Ex-Servicemen Society in 2006 before spewing wisdom on our elected representative!
it's nice to see everyone quarrelling over politics. simple truth is musharraf has been the best head of state for pakistan over the last 25 years - speaking economically and socially of course. sure, he is from the army, but it is also our last functioning state organ. although since he has left you could argue it's noticeably weaker.
also he took a strong stance against terrorism. he would not have afforded the freedoms they enjoy now - a suicide blast every day.
but don't mind me, please carry on with your dictator bashing.
@Mohammad: @Rai Ehsan: What has the Army doomed you to? Everytime it has come to power, you have danced on the streets and distributed sweets. Then you get tired of the military so you vent against it through the likes of these Khawaja type lotays.
Talking about accountability of the Army and how it has doomed Pakistan, may I ask where the accountability of the dictators in civvies is? What good have the Nawaz brothers done for anyone outside of Punjab? Who has ever held PPP and PML-N accountable for the embezzlement, pillaging, siphoning, and corruption of billions in Pakistan's wealth during the lost decade of the 90s and then the god awful spell that we are undergoing now?
At least the Army recruits from all parts of Pakistan and is truly a representative national institution. Sadly, the same cannot be said about these so called "defenders of democracy". Only the rich get elected to further themselves and enrich their own families. They shamelessly use the crutch of democracy and "supremacy of parliament" to further their own selfish goals and the fact you have a sitting Defence Minister shamelessly, arrogantly and cluelessly denigrating those under his charge should tell you something about the character of this person. He should be booted from the defence ministry as he definitely is not an enabler and he certainly does not have the confidence of the men and women in uniform.
As for these parliamentarians always waxing eloquence on the supremacy of parliament, when did these leeches pass a single, meaningful and worthy bill in the parliament? These useless buffoons are cheating the masses and you people like lambs and sheep run after them as if they are Pakistan's messiahs. Shame on you! Wake up before the Titanic finally sinks...
I think pak is heading towards another "mera aziz ham-watno" :)
@Mohammad: My dear you make me feel more humble. I have devoted my life to remain an unknown soldier for democracy, justice and human rights in my country. Thanks for appreciating the truth. The threat by army general to protect their cronies is shameful to say the least. It is like an habitual abusive father if presented before courts for justice would tell the world that I would beat the kids even more if you ever condemn me. Thanks and regards, M
I never voted for PML-N. But this man, Kh Asif has won my vote for all times to come. Best of luck.
NS government must show courage and do all it takes to try the dictator. The nation stands with the government. We can not be cowed by threats of a martial law. Only law of this land is supreme; all institutional prestige takes back seat. Period.
@Rai Ehsan: Please live in real world.Have you ever heard "migh is right".Tell me if armed forces decide to bring a military coup tomorrow who is going to stop them?. People, never they are so digusted and crushed by the so called lotocracy/ democracy that they are praying for any change. If the present govt would hold a refrendum if people wants to be ruled by army or politicians it will be definitely army.
APML is absolutely correct. There is no business of a person who is so much opposed to the military and in the past used such vile language against it to be the defense minister. How dare the PMLN even appoint him to this post? It was an insult to the military appointing him to this ministry and he must be replaced by someone who can work with them. He clearly cannot.
@Mirza:
has PM been convicted of any of the ridiculous charges you are leveling against them? thats right no he hasnt, and he has no shot of a fair trial in the current system.
I am an Indian and we should not comment on the internal matters of Pakistan but if Genl Bikram Singh becomes the martial law administrator by throwing away the Govt elected by the people of India I will never support him.Army must perform the duties assigned to it by our constitution.
Next A P M L will demand a case of blasphemy be registered against the defense minister for speaking against their idol aka Mush.
I think Sharifs should resign themselves and appoint other PM and CM to save democracy. They should become impartial in the case against Musharraf with high moral grounds by also removing all Musharraf's comrades in their ranks.
Only this will make Sharifs win this battle if they really are sincere with democracy, sham dramas will back fire!
Mr. Defense Minister should be smart enough to realize that his very position and existence depends on the protection provided by the armed forces. He and his party at the expense of civilian and defense personnel lives wants to have peace with the terrorist. Does he really thinks that the nation would trust a guy like Him?
Asif Khawaja and Saad Rafique should both resign. Pakistan army is the defender of our country, how can these minions, who have only looted the wealth of Pakistan, ridicule the institution that is the back bone of the country?
Would Khawaja sahib dare to say the same things outside the assembly halls where he will not be protected by the privilege of the house? anybody can be a 'sher' in the house.
Big mouth Khwaja Asif and Saad Rafique just have an axe to grind with the Pakistan Army but they forget that Nawaz Sharif is himself a product of the Army.
Khawaj Asif is a brave gentleman and he is my HERO... What all he said is the voice of this nation. He laid absolutely true facts about how uniformed traitors have doomed this country and this nation as a whole....
Who is APML? They don't fit in a tonga? Why it is a even an headline?
@Khurram kaleem: You nailed it Khurram and as you said the job of Army is to defend national frontiers which in fact they have always failed to do so. Anyways the only achievement of this Army is that it has always shamelessly conquered Islamabad...
@Mirza: May ALLAH grant you more wisdom and all his blessings in life. It is always soul soothing to know that ppl like you having clear concepts about issues exist in our society.
Musharraf is a man of courage and has upright character. N-league has gone fanactic and over obsessed because he kicked out NS from Pakistan. Had he killed all these politicians, Pakistan would have become a far better country by now. One can trust a cobra but not a politician in Pakistan!
Why should he resign? What is this Army is above everything. this army has lost every war against India, take 60 percent of budget and have taken down every elected government. Why army is above law. Let's have people say what they want.
To all who think Army will over throw this government, take some sense. Times of army pushing governments are gone. Musharraf is not above law and any one can say anything about him and army. I suggest army to try reducing their budget, win a war and stop being real estate agents all over Pakistan.
Khawaja Asif is absolutely non-professional and biased.
Those that speak against Pervez Musharraf are those that are getting some sort of benefits from this current government and regime. Every true patriot knows, that Musharraf never took over,it was the institution that reacted on the unconstitutional behaviour of Nawaz Sharif.
People have forgotten how Musharraf was and is in the line of fire for this country,he gave immense progress to this country and saved Pakistan strategically.
Pervez Musharraf doesn't need to take any refuge under the Army wing because the army knows the difference between wrong and right. They know that Pervez Musharraf is right and all these fake and politicised cases are against him so that Nawaz Sharif can fulfil his revenge. Truth shall prevail,Pervez Musharraf has stood the test of time at every stage.
It is a shame that today we are maligning a true visionary and leader.
Why should he resign?
All he said was the truth.... Pak Army failed has Pakistan so many times, in Bengal, 1971, 1999 and many more.
People are dying for water & a piece of bread and you are talking about increasing military budget ????
Many are scared of Musharraf and his party. because Musharraf is the favourite leader of millions of Pakistanis, inside and outside Pakistan and will always remain popular, always.
Mr. Khawaja should resign not only from the defense ministry because of his statements against the army but also from water and power because of his historical business ties Mansha and party. Incidently Mansha has been winning multiple power projects and receiving heafty payments for his existing rental projects ever since khawaja took over the ministry. If this isn't corruption then what is?
Musharraf is a confirmed coward.Every one has a right to criticise him on his behavior while facing the treason case.
Mr. Khawaja should resign not only from the defense ministry because of his statements against the army but also from water and power because of his historical business ties Mansha and party. Incidently Mansha has been winning multiple power projects and receiving heafty payments for his existing rental projects ever since khawaja took over the ministry. If this isn't corruption then what is?
Khawaja family was always beneficiary of military rule. Khawaja Asif's father Khawaja safdar was chairman of Majlis shoura under dictator General Zia Ul Haq.It is better if he starts accountability from his own home.Please don't play double game.
PML-N wants to conquer every institution, as they did by storming SC.
He speaks whats in the heart of N-League leaders.
Let us be fair with this country, Khawaja Asif has said nothing wrong and I endorse his view against the Musharraf. Is there any doubt that Musharraf was a dictator who broke the constitution of Pakistan by sending home the elected government of that time? Constitution fo Pakistan is the most important than any thing else. Musharraf successfuly took refuge behind the army and his lawyers were able have been wrongfully using name of the Army in their media campaign. What Musharraf did was an act of his own and of course Army is not and cannot be held responsbile for what he did and yea, it was a bad gesture by the AFCI the way it gave protection to Musharraf.
Brave man Khwaja Asif.
I don't really know what is the agenda of his statement but he is right on the dot on Army, on role of his own province etc. to bring Pakistan where it is. It is need of the hour to do some self-assessment and in all honesty, if we have to survive as a nation
Chaudhry Sarfraz Anjum Kahlon is not former chief of army staff-
Lets not blaming forces on the assembly floor since this is the purest of all institution we should not divide and play politics on to that. Lets be fare about is the forces where comes all the political party since PMN L don't need them anymore is the reason behaving like this.
If NS was not allowed to visit Pakistan therefore the Mush should be allowed this is personal vendetta nothing else. NS please don't destroy your good work be humble to win the hearts of the people of Pakistan
Kh Asif's speech reminds me of a famous Urdu proverb AA BAIL MUJE MAAR
traitors making demands on elected government what a joke
He's criticizing the armed forces, while being the minister for the armed forces, great going dude.
khawaja is the bravest politician on ground in pakistan .The army should categorically cut off relationshiop with APML chief Mr musharaf who is running a political party.
Army under constitution should not interfere in political and constitutional matters and running of state. their job is to defend national frontiers
No,, he shouldn't resign,,,, the question is why army is backing musharraf,,, isn't army intervening the court matters,,, is army above the law,,, let the court decide about musharraf, and I think this would be in best interest of our motherland,,, the supporters of musharraf are saying the he should be allowed to visit her ailing mother,and its his basic human right,,, OK so what about the time when nawaz Sharif wasn't allowed to attend his fathers funeral ????????
@Mirza: It's not about Musharraf, it's about the army. He's the defense minister, for God sake! He should act like it, passing statements of personal hatred is not at all professional and he should keep his hatred aside because without army, Pakistan would collapse.
@Adil: why you people call everyone INDIAN AGENT who speak differently or speak truth. this kind of mind set reflect our society is too sick to bear criticism. everyone should have freedom for his point of views. Musharraf trail should have no linkage with army moral. army must set aside itself from this case.
I can only say this that old habit goes hard and PML-N is not taking any lesson from its history of 1999 and wants to repeat it again......
What he has said in his statement he is right, But because of few you cant blame everyone. There are black sheep's in every institution of Pakistan. And where ever is Pakistani there is 100% possibility of corruption, because we as a nation are snatcher not a buyer. We always seeks shortcuts not the hard work. So we should avoid blaming each other and instead should set a practical moral example for others, Please For God sake Mister Khawaja sahib don't be childish and do not do blame game that can bring institutions in a standoff position, Because Pakistan has utilized its Maximum Flexibility of Experiments and any new experiment will break and bring irreparable losses.
I salute Mr. Asif for his brave stance on Musharraf Issue, People of Pakistan need to show them Who is the actual Boss
I second to that request from Mr. Kohlon. It is not only dividing the state institution but also dividing the nation. I congrats to the Sialkotians for their courage to stand up and counted against Kawaja Asif.
APML is yet another tiny Muslim League that has evaporated with Mush's power. Mush and his cronies are pretending that they are Pakistan not those who have elected others and rejected them in the elections. Kudos to Asif to tell like it is. If he is wrong or liable then take him to court which is the right way not threatening that army would commit yet another act of high treason if any of them is held accountable for throwing 60 judges and their families in jail and killing 80 years old nationalist leader. Why would some continue to shield those who protected and situated OBL and other terrorists for almost a decade?
Yes, he should resign w.i.e and should spend his time in " Parliament Lodges".He has no degree of DSS.
I agree, he should resign or should be forced to resign, we do not require such ministers for our country, the fact is that PML-N can never match General Musharraf. Also Geo News is against Pakistan interests, it is funded by India agents, People of Pakistan should rise against Geo and PLM-N.