The ISPR further stated that senior politicians trying to stir “controversies” on the appointment of the military’s chief of army staff (COAS) is “most unfortunate and disappointing”…reports Asian Lite News
Pakistan Army on Monday expressed shock at PTI Chairman Imran Khans “anti-military statements” issued during his party’s political gathering in Faisalabad on Sunday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement, The News reported.
The military’s media wing, in its statement, shared that the institution is “aghast at the defamatory and uncalled for statements about the senior leadership of Pakistan Army” by Khan.
“Regrettably, an attempt has been made to discredit and undermine senior leadership of [the] Pakistan Army at a time when the institution is laying lives for the security and safety of the people of Pakistan every day,” the statement read., The News reported.
The ISPR further stated that senior politicians trying to stir “controversies” on the appointment of the military’s chief of army staff (COAS) is “most unfortunate and disappointing”.
It added that the procedure for COAS’s appointment is well-defined in the Constitution.
“Senior leadership of the army has decades-long impeccable meritorious service to prove its patriotic and professional credentials beyond any doubt,” the ISPR said, adding that politicising the senior leadership of the institution and scandalising the process of COAS’s selection is neither in the interest of the state of Pakistan nor of the institution.
“Pakistan Army reiterates its commitment to uphold the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan,” the military’s media wing said.
‘Risk everything for ‘Game of Thrones’
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday asked whether former Prime Minister Imran Khan wanted to hurt the morale of the armed forces by delivering anti-military speeches by risking everything for a “Game of Thrones”.
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah’s remarks came during a hearing against the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (PEMRA) order prohibiting television channels from airing Khan’s speeches live, Geo News reported.
At the hearing, PEMRA’s lawyer apprised the IHC that the regulator issued a show-cause notice to delay the airing of his live speeches.
In response, Justice Minallah asked why the regulator did not ensure that the rule of delaying live speeches was followed.
“Several responsible people issue irresponsible statements. You (PEMRA) have to follow the law and the court will not interfere in it,” he said.
Moving on to Khan’s lawyer, the Chief Justice asked whether he heard the PTI Chairman’s speech in Faisalabad a day earlier, where he said that the government is delaying elections to appoint its choice of an army chief.
“Did you hear Imran Khan’s speech from yesterday? Do political leaders deliver such speeches? Will everything be put at stake just for the sake of a ‘Game of Thrones’?” Justice Minallah asked, making a reference to the popular television drama in which nine noble families wage war against each other to gain control over a mythical land.
He said that the armed forces lay their lives for the nation and in a case where someone is involved in illegal activity, everyone should not be criticised over it.
“Hold yourself accountable for your actions. You (Khan) want to issue statements as per your wishes and don’t want the regulator to do its job?
“Do you want to hurt the morale of the army by giving anti-army statements? Do you think that anyone in the army is not a patriot?” he questioned.
He told Khan’s lawyer that when a statement is issued in public, it has its own impact.
Following this, the court, in light of the rulings of the Supreme Court, asked PEMRA to regulate the speeches of Khan and wrapped up the case filed by the PTI chairman.