\PM Nawaz Sharif. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
The government will not brook any criticism or tolerate any statement or remarks against the military, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif assured Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif on Thursday.
The prime minister made the remarks during a telephone conversation with the army chief, who is currently in Russia on an official trip, according to Express News. Both leaders were discussing the incendiary remarks made by former president and Pakistan Peoples Party Co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari against the army earlier this week. Since then, the outburst has been roundly criticised by politicians of all hues in the country. On Wednesday, the premier also hastily scrapped plans for a meeting with the PPP leader. At the same time, he cautioned against launching any tirade against the military, saying such a move would only serve to encourage those elements who want to destabilise the country and derail it from its path of progress.
Already, coordination between the civilian and military leadership has strengthened the hand of democracy in the country, according to the prime minister.
In Thursday’s telephonic conversation with the army chief, he reiterated that the army is fighting for the country. It is impossible for us to stay silent when someone makes a statement against the army, he said.
On the other hand, Gen Raheel expressed his appreciation for Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan’s response to Zardari’s tirade against the army.
‘Thwarting the enemy’
Earlier, in his Ramazan message to the nation, Prime Minister Nawaz said Pakistan’s enemies are busy hatching new conspiracies every day.
“The enemy is continuously engaged in new conspiracies and is bent upon destabilising Pakistan,” he said. “But we, Insha Allah, will not let the enemy succeed in its nefarious designs, and will foil every plot against our sacred land through determination, courage and will,” the premier added.
He pointed out that Operation Zarb-e-Azb had achieved uncountable successes in the fight against terrorists and added that the country is making rapid progress with each passing day.
The premier also appealed to citizens to remember in their prayers during Ramazan the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for the peace, security and prosperity and defence of Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 19th, 2015.
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