“We should not involve the army in politics and that is the reason why I had expressed serious reservations when army was asked to play a role in resolving the current political imbroglio,” he said talking to Express News anchor Ayaz Khan in an exclusive interview.
He said the present crisis involved three parties – Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Dr Tahirul Qadri’s Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) and government. “It will be an unfortunate thing if these three stakeholders cannot have consensus on even five people, whose decision they can rely on,” he added.
He said the only way to save the system was dialogue. “The government is serious about talks and they will soon achieve a breakthrough,” he added.
Sarwar said Pakistan has a free judiciary, which had ordered filing cases against a serving prime minister and chief minister. He said the judiciary was also not giving any concession to anyone.
He said he was a part of the negotiations with the protesting parties since day one and it was an honour that all the people trusted him in spite of the fact that he belonged to the government.
The governor said no one was going to emerge as victor from the present conflict. He said it was his desire to see electoral reforms that might stop the powerful from rigging elections.
He said people complaint about past and do not focus on their present and future. “It is not the fault of government if people losing or winning elections can get four-year’s stay. It is the fault of institutions. If our institutions were stronger this situation would not have emerged,” he added
Talking about his personal life, he said he had led a difficult life and had faced consequences of telling the truth. “I remained an MP in the UK for thirteen years and during these years I disagreed with the government 22 times. However after becoming governor, I have kept silent,” he said.
He said he did not believe in VIP protocol and had traveled in buses and taxes throughout his life. “However, after becoming governor, I am compelled to receive protocol, which I sometimes manage to set aside,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 3rd, 2014.
COMMENTS (16)
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@Arsalan "Army’s entry in politics would be a better option". "Army has many problems but they are far less than political parties". Army is usually made for geographical defense of a country. But if we look at the 67 years of history of Pakistan, it seems that the Army is actually a political force and has become the most powerful political party of the country. They ruled 80% of the time during 67 years of so-called independence.All the ills of today's Pakistan is directly or indirectly the result of their long illegitimate, immoral and unconstitutional rule of the Army. If they are not responsible for this after overwhelmingly ruling the country then who is responsible ? They never conquered any enemy's territory but conquered their own country more than 3 times. Above all, they have already established a political wing in their secret services department, which is the cause of their direct political intervention even when there is no direct government by Army, i.e., democracy etc. It means they play political even when apparently country is running under a democracy. It is totally against the professionalism of a Defense force like Army, whose task is to defend the borders of a country and not to rule their own country. That is the reason our Army never win a war with any country. They cannot win unless leave the politics for the politicians alone. It is even better for the Army itself and the Pakistan as a whole.
No one know where the Punjab Governor stands.
@S.R.H. Hashmi:
Not withstanding your opposition to Madrassas(source of education) how can the Governor call Pakistan army a non political institution. It along with the Egyptian army are the few Napoleanic armies in the world. Their corps commanders have divided the geographical territoryamong them and even unashamedly are allocated names of major cities and not military names. The opposition should demand the elimination of the non elected post of Governors in a democracy which is superfluous.
Rex Minor
Holding jalsa is one thing, getting votes is quite another. Imran is the Jalsa King but he cannot win enough seats to become PM.
Does the army commander in Punjab take orders from the Governor( as was during colonial days) or from the chief Minister or NONE? One thing should be clear, the Governor has no political mandate from the parliament and should therefore be careful making political statements.
Rex Minor
Go Imran Go. Ro Imran Ro. Go Imran Go. Ro Imran Ro
Saying something like that Sir proves you have been away from Pakistan for too long.
@A.M.Khan Yeah and you are also part of this nation. Army has many problems but they are far less than political parties. So we should not voice our concerns when Punjab police kills unarmed protesters, when gullu butt hugs policemen and damages public and private property, when you see an ambulance being stopped due to a VIP protocol even though someone might be hanging between life and death. It is simply a question of lesser evils.
Yes democracy is better than military rule but a proper democracy not a PPP(feudal) or PML-N(industrialist) democracy which is simply a different form of dictatorship!
"military is the only institution free from politics"
Quite an unreal statement. Perhaps the opposite is true. If military had left politics alone for the last 67 years, we would have become a largely democratic country by now. India has.
@Arsalan: and you think army govt. didn't do that in history? Just this is the reason people want govt. out that they are rich and have protocol etc.? Such a childish nation you people are.
Who will stop Army playing politics?
Looks like the governor is oblivious to the existence of "scriptwriter" who is already involved in this double march.
Go Nawaz Go,,, Go Pakistan Go...!!
Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar himself has a very VIP like attitude. I have myself observed PML-N protocol of Shabaz Sharif in Lahore stopping even an ambulance from crossing the road...
while I understand the Army should be kept out of politics. In pakistan however, the armed forces have a much better reputation than the feudal/industrial politicians..for the best of the country in times like these....Army's entry in politics would be a better option. At least, it will create some pressure on VIP MNA's and sharif family.