ISLAMABAD: Top military commanders will meet today (Monday) in Rawalpindi amid rising political tensions over Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s scheduled long march on Independence Day.
The corps commanders’ conference will be chaired by Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, said the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement. The military’s media wing did not say what will be discussed in the meeting that comes just days before PTI’s Azadi march which seeks the ouster of the incumbent government and fresh elections.
A senior military official sought to downplay the timing of the meeting, insisting that it was a routine monthly gathering where the top brass will review the overall security situation and discuss professional matters.
However, insiders disclosed that the prevailing political situation would be one of the key agenda items during the conference. With Imran Khan’s party adamant to go ahead with its scheduled rally, political commentators believe the role of the security establishment would become crucial if the standoff continues.
Sources said the federal government is likely to give the PTI a ‘freehand’ to hold the march on August 14. The decision was taken after the government was advised to let Imran hold his protest in the capital. “Any move to stop PTI supporters from holding the march may lead to violence,” said one source familiar with consultations between the civil and military authorities on the issue.
The corps commanders would also review progress so far achieved in Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North Waziristan Agency. The military commanders would also be briefed about the recently held conference on national security, where the army chief informed participants that most of the targets in operation had already been achieved.
It was also reported that the military was considering allowing internally displaced persons to return to their homes in areas where security forces had now taken full control.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 11th,2014.
COMMENTS (28)
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@Syed: What good has PTI done to KPK which has come to the Assembly for the "1st time"??
Our Army is truly professional. It will never repeat the mistake that now-jailed Musharraf had committed by falling into the trap of losers like Hamid Nasir Chatta, Mian Azhar, Imran Khan, Qadri etc ... who were singing the songs of Musharraf since coup d'état of 12th October 1999. However, none of those opportunists was given any slot in Musharraf's Cabinet. Due to this reason all these opportunists started abandoning Musharraf one after another. They were all subsequently condemning him in worst words. Similarly, Musharraf was befooled by his megalomania on Facebook and entered into politics. Since that day he is under arrest for trial under article-6 due to his miscalculations. Our Army has also learned from Chile and Turkey where the former Dictators, as old as 92, have been jailed for life!
TUQ and Sheikh Rashid are one of the best entertainer of the time: no need to switch to comedy channels, however this entertainment is going to cost Pakistan a lot not only in terms of economy that the country may trap into new financial crises but also it certainly is going to take many precious lives. What else: Pakistan's image is getting worse in so called civilized nations and it obviously will halt the process of few investors and tourists coming to our holy land. And even if they are successful in drowning current government, I'm not seeing any great electoral reforms as history suggests, anyway if they do reverse history and bring peaceful democracy and prosperity in Pakistan, I'll accept it a revolution, not looking to happen though.
I hope a strong message is given to IK and TUQ. If not, then in future one would see parties like JuD marching on to the capital to get governments of their choice.
@the Skunk: So, you are saying the Army will 'protect' the country (that it owns) from everyone except itself? Or, are you saying that the Army will save the country (that it owns) only for itself?
uhh...stop all the tension --- let the army take over....
The losers have been failed again to deliver and adress common people problems but very much succeeded to launch their 2nd generation in family limited league. Stop indulging our forces into your dirty politics!!!
If we go towards martial law, it will be the first our generation of the 90's is going to witness in a practical manner, just excited :)
Let democracy continue in what ever form. Recall George Bush won election by less then 500 votes in Florida and Al Gore conceded.And Mr Bush was President for 8 years. Pakistan has lot of challenges, the country needs to progress and let the will of people rule. Street power should not be allowed to change governments.This is very dangerous path
@Blithe: Let us feel assured and relieved that there is in Pakistan a professional army who knows how to defend the frontiers and the interiors of the country from militants and terrorists and commercial, mercantile, industrial, social and political terrorists and militants. Salams
Current affairs is one thing, planning for the future another. Plans are available to enable the armed forces to make Pakistan both militarily and economically strong. The plans can be implemented ONLY by the armed forces. ET please obtain details from me and publicize... IF YOU AGREE
Army is the protector of pak constitution and any sttempt by I K and TUQ to thwart it will be defended will full force
It is amazing to see people would like army behave professionally but unable to consider or ask the govt to resign if they are not able to run/manage country. Too much expectations from one institution but on the other hand both PPP and PMLN came to power 3rd time and have proven record of unable to manage country affairs and still people wants the same parties to let ruin the country in the name of democracy. What a logic! Those who cannot change themselves want the rest to follow them in the name of democracy.
@Blithe: And I hope we have really democratic govt. And exiting one would "resign" with good intention and come back to power with more transparency so that Imran or qadri don't have any choice.
@Blithe: I hope somebody from Army reads these comments! A clear majority of comments in these forums are against military takeover. Besides, any adventurism by Army this time will almost certainly lead to separation of Balochistan, resurgence of Taliban and total economic collapse. Even the current incompetent incumbents can handle the situation if Army stays out and the Boots remain in Barracks.
A litmus test in next two days would be if PTI parliamentarians resignations are submitted. If yes, then certainly Army is behind him. If not, then rest assured the IK-TUQ bubble will burst and both will become irrelevant, although I believe the true PTI, sans IK, will emerge.
We hope and pray that our brave and sensible generals will support democratically elected government.
Time to crush taliban and their supporters aka Inqilabis.Imran Khan has done great damage to the state he must not be allowed to escape.Thosands of Pakistanis killed because of his fascist ideology will never forget us.
Islamabad was created as the last bastion for army in rainy days; it would seem that it has now become the last refuge for the Civilian Government as well. The people in khakis must now decide to keep Islamabad or the Prime Minister of Pakistan? I bet they have no more use for the little people and will most likely decide for the former and let Imran and Qadri pounce on Sharifs, leaving it to the peasants who brought them into office in the first place...
Rex Minor
This meeting was scheduled before the long marches were announced,like always our media is giving this news a new colour.The core commanders are much more concerned about the ongoing operation where thousand of lives are at risk rather then power hungry politicians.
I trust Pakistan has evolved and so has Pakistan army, where we keep constitution sacrosanct and have no tolerance for Bonapartism.
IK and TuQ are miscreants who don't believe in Pakistani institutions and constitution!! No quarter should be given to them., What if Tailban arrives in Islamabad tomorrow? Then what?
There you go! Sounds of military boots in the backdrop.
Let us feel that we have a professional army that does not interfere or take any extra constitutional measures .
Anything short of this would not be acceptable.
Pakistan is not Egypt or Thailand !