Pakistan

Army supports political process: ISPR

ISPR spokesman calls WikiLeaks revelations baseless, says army supports civilian leadership.

Express/afp December 04, 2010

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's military backs the country's civilian leadership, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesman said on Saturday, after leaked US diplomatic cables highlighted the army's power in the country.

"The army has a demonstrated policy of supporting the political process within the confines of the constitution of Pakistan," said military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas, in what he referred to as a response to queries about the cables.

Talking to the media in Islamabad, DG ISPR said the Wikileaks revelations about the Army Chief are baseless.

A March 12, 2009 cable by former American ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson released by WikiLeaks shows the army's influence in the country.

Patterson had been meeting army chief General Ashfaq Kayani during a political crisis in which a long march planned by lawyers could have threatened President Asif Ali Zardari's government.

According to the dispatch, Kayani hinted again that he might have to persuade Zardari to resign "if the situation sharply deteriorates".

Kayani, a former head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, has said he would keep the army out of politics and would support democracy.

"Kayani made it clear that regardless of how much he disliked Zardari, he distrusted Nawaz even more. The scenario Kayani hinted at was one in which he would pressure Zardari to resign (and presumably leave the country)," Patterson said in the cable.

Abbas said Kayani "holds all national leaders in esteem", including Sharif.

COMMENTS (11)

Rana Umair | 13 years ago | Reply it is interesting how the spokesman of army had to talk to media about "civil military" relations especially when there is a civilian government and army is supposed to be taking orders from the civilian government and not "supporting" it. These kind of statements from the army to the media simply shows that they do not take orders from the civilian government which is not only unconstitutional but also disrespectful to the constitution and the government. I can hardly remember the last time a spokesperson or a military commander saying anything regarding the constitution. They have their own rules and courts and consider themselves subservient to military top brass ONLY. While the jawans, the fighters, the true soldiers in the battlefield are our heroes, these generals and high ranked officials have only brought Pakistan shame by both, interfering in politics and disobeying orders and in the field by not enacting proper tactics in all the wars fought against India. Don't know when they'll learn that a decision by 300 plus people (i.e. the parliament) is always going to be better than 12 odd generals. God bless Pakistan.

Ben | 13 years ago | Reply The most damaging and disturbing revelation made by the WikiLeaks is about the controversial and unethical role of Richard Holbrooke. This guy has bees sharing Pakistan information in his possession in official capacity to India. Read more at: link text

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Aftab Kenneth Wilsonhttp://www.dawn.com/ | 13 years ago | Reply Major General Athar Abbas is 100% correct. Our Army supports "Political Process but only through Judiciary". Zia ul Haque, verdict of hanging Mr. Z. A. Bhutto, last but not least, giving rights to rule and ruin the country to Mr. Musharaf and now "One Way Traffice" in the cases pertaining to only PPP leadership. I hope we won't see any Judicial Murders or Takeovers in the future. Let this system go through peacefully for further two more "Full Terms" and we will see visible change in our whole system of governance at all level. To do all this we need to carve more provinces. Punjab into 4, Sindh into 2, KP into 3 and Balochistan into 3. Administratively it is not possible to run the country as it is today. It is time to "buy" some lessons from our neighbors not only India, but also Afghanistan and Iran.

Iqbal Khan | 13 years ago | Reply Total lies and false propaganda to was their face..We all knew the role of army but now we have real face of army thanks to Wikileaks !!!!

Yasir | 13 years ago | Reply What business of army is political process anyway? They should not even comment on it let alone in any way interfere with it. In another country a mere comment like this would mean sure sacking of such generals.

Asrar Ahmed | 13 years ago | Reply I ask a simple question: why does one have to talk so freely with foreign diplomats---ie Americans?. Is it being alleged that the contents of cables is false......wow good luck in trying this spin. Why are there no wikileaks about India.......probably 'cause Indians are more mature and confident of themselves. What I find very odd is our honourable members in parliament are silent. I give an "A" to US diplomats.....they have been brilliant in making Pakistanis' in power "sing". US diplomats posted in Pakistan should get a bonus. We as nation have highest respect for our armed forces and this will continue.

Ch Allah Daad | 13 years ago | Reply Army supports civilian set up because it has no choice. Once the taxes are raised and books are balanced, peace returns to KP and Baluchistan, then it will be a different story.

Zab786 | 13 years ago | Reply It is good time to respond these allegations about chaos,but i think army cheif personally adress his clearance front of the peoples of Pakistan because army is an proud of our country and we will never tolerate against his dignity.

Anoop | 13 years ago | Reply The same way Army is against drone attacks from NATO but secretly approves it.

affie | 13 years ago | Reply Who are they trying to fool.?

SharifL | 13 years ago | Reply Interesting statement which say nothing and a lot at the same time. In a well-worn English legal anecdote a judge asks a lawyer acting for a thief from Yorkshire: “Is your client familiar with the principle of Nemo dat quod non habet (nobody gives away what he does not possess)?” The apocryphal answer is: “Indeed, my lord, in yorkshire they speak of little else.” Fewer lawyers know Latin now, but in Pakistan everybody knows the powers of the army and how it treats the civilian leaders think. The message by ISPR spokesman is well understood by many inside and outside Pakistan. So we will have more of the same in future also.

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