Crisis should be resolved politically, without recourse to violence, says army
Further use of force will only aggravate the problem, says ISPR statement after hours long corps commanders meeting
RAWALPINDI:
An emergency meeting of the corps commanders presided over by army chief General Raheel Sharif has concluded at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
"While reaffirming support to democracy, the conference reviewed with serious concern, the existing political crisis and the violent turn it has taken, resulting in large scale injuries and loss of lives. Further use of force will only aggravate the problem," said an ISPR statement released after a nearly four-hour long meeting of the corps commanders.
The statement went on to add: "It was once again reiterated that the situation should be resolved politically without wasting any time and without recourse to violent means."
"Army remains committed to playing its part in ensuring security of the state and will never fall short of meeting national aspirations," the statement concluded.
The meeting, attended by all principle staff officers as well as Director General Inter-Services Intelligence Lt. General Zaheer-ul-Islam, had been convened against the backdrop of the deteriorating security situation following clashes between anti-government protesters and police.
All eyes are on the top military commanders as their role has now become crucial in view of the violence.
Military sources say the commanders will review the current political crisis and decide what role they can possibly play to defuse the tensions.
On Saturday night, fierce clashes erupted between law-enforcers and protesters in Islamabad as protesters attempted to march towards the Prime Minister House.
Tear-gas and rubber bullets were used by the police, while protesters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) responded with pelting stones.
The clashes come on the 14th day of sit-ins in the capital, which had thus far remained without incident.
An emergency meeting of the corps commanders presided over by army chief General Raheel Sharif has concluded at General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
"While reaffirming support to democracy, the conference reviewed with serious concern, the existing political crisis and the violent turn it has taken, resulting in large scale injuries and loss of lives. Further use of force will only aggravate the problem," said an ISPR statement released after a nearly four-hour long meeting of the corps commanders.
The statement went on to add: "It was once again reiterated that the situation should be resolved politically without wasting any time and without recourse to violent means."
"Army remains committed to playing its part in ensuring security of the state and will never fall short of meeting national aspirations," the statement concluded.
The meeting, attended by all principle staff officers as well as Director General Inter-Services Intelligence Lt. General Zaheer-ul-Islam, had been convened against the backdrop of the deteriorating security situation following clashes between anti-government protesters and police.
All eyes are on the top military commanders as their role has now become crucial in view of the violence.
Military sources say the commanders will review the current political crisis and decide what role they can possibly play to defuse the tensions.
On Saturday night, fierce clashes erupted between law-enforcers and protesters in Islamabad as protesters attempted to march towards the Prime Minister House.
Tear-gas and rubber bullets were used by the police, while protesters of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) responded with pelting stones.
The clashes come on the 14th day of sit-ins in the capital, which had thus far remained without incident.