Tag: Bajwa

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Imran takes huge U-turn, pins all the blame on Bajwa

Imran Khan

Interestingly, Khan, who continuously blamed the US for removing him from the PM post, had taken a U-turn from his statements…reports Asian Lite News

After alleging that the United States was involved in the ‘conspiracy’ of ousting Imran Khan from the Prime Minister post, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chief gave a clean chit to America and, instead, blamed former army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa for removing him, the Dawn reported.

Khan, who was ousted from his post in April last year, took swipes at Bajwa saying that the former army chief had told the US that PTI Chief is an anti-American. He made these remarks during an interview with US-based international radio broadcaster, Voice of America, aired on Saturday, and a separate televised address on Sunday, according to Dawn.

“Whatever happened, now as things unfold, it wasn’t the US who told Pakistan [to oust me]. It was unfortunately, from what evidence has come up, [former army chief] Gen [Qamar Javed] Bajwa who somehow managed to tell the Americans that I was anti-American. And so, it [the plan to oust me] wasn’t imported from there. It was exported from here to there,” Khan told VoA.

Interestingly, Khan, who continuously blamed the US for removing him from the PM post, had taken a U-turn from his statements.

Meanwhile, in his televised address, Imran Khan termed Gen Bajwa, who retired in November last year, ‘super king’, admitting that his three-and-a-half-year stint in the Prime Minister’s Office was more like of a puppet.

“Gen Bajwa had become an expert in everything, including economy, politics, and foreign policy,” Khan alleged.

“Gen Bajwa used to get the credit for good decisions and Imran Khan used to serve as a punching bag for every wrong decision,” Khan claimed, alleging that the former army chief was responsible for the “political and economic ills” faced by the country today.

He also slammed General Bajwa for hampering the process of accountability and claimed that the former army chief had already decided that there won’t be any questions from PM Shehbaz Sharif.

“No accountability was held thereafter,” he said, claiming that the former army chief had also acknowledged this in an interview with a columnist, reported Dawn.

“If Bajwa could be criticized or held accountable for his actions, he would not have been able to damage the country to such an extent,” he added.

In his televised address, the former PM stressed his demand for the elections in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following the dissolution of provincial Assemblies. He believed that only fresh elections could drive Pakistan out of the current economic and political mess.

According to the PTI chief, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) and the incumbent caretaker government were duty-bound to hold general elections in Punjab and KP within 90 days of the dissolution of the assemblies. “On the 91st day, the caretaker governments will cease to have constitutional cover,” he said, asking the bureaucrats and police officers to disobey the ‘unconstitutional caretaker government’ after the end of its three-month timeframe.

Khan alleged that the Sharifs and Zardaris were afraid of elections as they first wanted to create a “level-playing field” by disqualifying him from contesting elections and then putting him in jail along with his party leadership, as per the report in Dawn.

“The ruling coalition in the federal government is afraid of one person and one party, which is Imran Khan and PTI, and wants to block us to get their NRO given to them by Gen Bajwa,” he alleged.

The former premier also went after the ECP and said the electoral watchdog was taking decisions on the “instructions of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif”. (ANI)

ALSO READ-Clean chit to US, Imran pins blame on Bajwa for his ouster

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Gen Bajwa involved in ousting Imran: Former Pak minister

The ex-minister went on to claim that the establishment was also controlling the parties allied with the PTI in the previous government…reports Asian Lite News

Islamabad, Jan 7 (IANS) PTI leader Fawad Chaudhry has claimed that “some army generals”, as well as then army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, were actively involved in removing the PTI government, media reports said.

Making the claim during an interview, the former minister insisted that his party came to power on its own over a 22-year effort, but minced no words in saying that it was removed from power through a conspiracy, Dawn reported.

“And in that conspiracy, some army generals were involved, there is no doubt about that and the establishment actually played a very active role in the ouster of Imran Khan. In fact, the last army chief (Gen Bajwa) was (also) actively involved in sending our government home,” he alleged.

The ex-minister went on to claim that the establishment was also controlling the parties allied with the PTI in the previous government.

Chaudhry said the current army leadership has just assumed the office and they are hoping there will be a change in the policy, but the last chief was not talking the truth when he said that they (the PTI) asked for their help.

He dismissed the notion that the PTI was against the military, saying his party was not against anyone. “In Pakistan, unelected institutions like the judiciary and the military exercised their powers beyond Constitution (in the past), which is known to everyone,” he said, Dawn reported.

ALSO READ: Pakistan: Thousands take to streets against terrorism in South Waziristan

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Bajwa says Pak Army started its process of ‘catharsis’

The army chief said that armies around the world are seldom criticised “but our army is often subjected to criticism”…reports Asian Lite News

 Pakistan Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa has said the army had started its process of “catharsis” and expected that political parties would follow suit as well and reflect on their behaviour, the media reported.

“This is the reality that there have been mistakes from every institution, including political parties and civil society,” Bajwa said at the Defence Day event, Dawn reported.

In the final part of his speech, the outgoing COAS said he wanted say a few words on “political matters”.

The army chief said that armies around the world are seldom criticised “but our army is often subjected to criticism”.

“I think reason for that is the army’s involvement in politics. That is why in February, the army decided to not interfere in politics,” Dawn reported citing Bajwa as saying.

“Many sectors subjected the army to criticism and used inappropriate language,” he said.

“To criticise the army is the right of (political) parties and the people, but the language used (should be careful),” Bajwa said.

Gen Bajwa said that a “false narrative was created”, from which “an escape is now being attempted”, Dawn reported.

“Today, I am addressing the Defence and Martyrs Day as the army chief for the last time,” Gen Bajwa said at the start of his speech. “I am retiring soon. This time, this (ceremony is being held) after some delay.”

The Defence and Martyrs Day ceremony is held annually at the General Headquarters (GHQ) Rawalpindi on September 6 to commemorate the sacrifices of fallen heroes of the 1965 war. However, it was postponed this year in solidarity with flood victims across the country.

Govt receives list of contenders

Pakistan government on Wednesday confirmed that it had received the summary from the Ministry of Defence with a “panel of names” for the appointment of the new chief of army staff (COAS).

“The PM office has received the summary from the Ministry of Defence with a panel of names for the appointment of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of the Army Staff. The Prime Minister will take a decision on the appointments as per the laid down procedure,” the Pakistan prime minister’s office said in a statement.

Besides the government, the Pakistani army also confirmed that it had sent the names of six top lieutenant generals for the appointment of Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) and the chairman of the joint chief of staff committee (CJCSC).

“GHQ has forwarded the summary for Selection of CJCSC and COAS, containing names of 6 senior most Lt Gens to MoD,” spokesperson Pakistan Armed Forces said in a tweet on Tuesday night.

A day earlier, Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the summary had been forwarded to the PMO from the defence ministry. “The rest of the steps will be completed soon,” he tweeted.

Pakistan’s defence minister has warned opposition leader and former Prime Minister Imran Khan, saying that the coalition government will deal with him, after the completion of the appointment process of the new Army chief.

“The process will complete in two to three days. The excitement will end, after which we will deal with Imran Khan,” the Pakistan defence minister was quoted as saying by The Express Tribune. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Stage set for appointment of next Pak army chief

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Stay away from politics: Bajwa tells military, ISI

PTI leader and former Health Minister of Punjab, Yasmin Rashid recently named the sector commander and alleged him of having been involved in politics to engineer the by-elections in the province…reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa has issued fresh directions to all his commanders and key officers, including those associated with the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), to stay away from politics and avoid interacting with politicians.

These directions have been given in the wake of Imran Khan-led PTI propaganda against the military establishment alleging certain ISI officials of having been involved in political engineering to manipulate the upcoming by-elections in Punjab to the disadvantage of PTI, The News reported.

Defence sources lament over these allegations and disclosed that the ISI sector commander, Lahore, who is being maligned by the PTI leaders, is not even in Lahore for over a fortnight in connection with some of his professional work in Islamabad.

PTI leader and former Health Minister of Punjab, Yasmin Rashid recently named the sector commander and alleged him of having been involved in politics to engineer the by-elections in the province.

Before Rashid, it was former Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi who had alleged that some invisible forces are active to influence the by-elections in the province against the PTI, The News reported.

Of late, the PTI Chairman Imran Khan also alleged that some of his candidates have complained to him of receiving telephone calls from unknown numbers.

He also said that his party leaders and workers were being pressurised to engineer the by-elections.

Defence sources insist that the PTI, instead of maligning the security establishment, should share the evidence. These sources claimed that even if an iota of evidence is provided, strict action would be initiated against responsible.

Recently, the split in an apparently cohesive Pakistani Army got wider as Lt. General (retired) Zaheerul Islam, the former chief of Pakistan’s notorious spy agency, the Inter-State Intelligence (ISI), has come out openly in support of the ousted Prime Minister Imran Khan.

There are strong “rumours” that Imran Khan has selected the former ISI boss as a PTI candidate for the next general elections. The PTI leaders have been denying the speculation, but Islam was seen campaigning for a PTI candidate in a by-election in Rawalpindi for the Pakistani National Assembly.

“The Chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan is the need of the hour,” Islam said, praising Imran Khan during campaigns.

Like former ISI chief Lt. General Faiz Hameed, his predecessor Islam too was attached with Imran Khan to help him to come to power.

In a video clip Zaheerul Islam is seen mocking the Pakistani Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s “neutrality”.

“In politics we have to take sides. But I am “neutral” and as a neutral I say that Imran Khan is the need of the hour.” (with inputs from IANS, IndiaNarrative)

ALSO READ-Imran Bajwa faceoff upgraded to next level

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‘Bajwa to retire on time’

The ISPR DG said any effort to create a rift between people and the armed forces is against national interest….reports Asian Lite News

The Director-General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Major General Babar Iftikhar, has clarified that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General Qamar Javed Bajwa, is neither asking for an extension nor will he accept it, media reports said.

He made the remark on Thursday during a briefing to journalists on the recently held 79th Formation Commanders’ Conference at the General Headquarters, Rawalpindi, Geo News reported.

During the press conference, the DG ISPR asked the political parties and the public not to drag the Pakistan Army into politics.

The ISPR DG said any effort to create a rift between people and the armed forces is against national interest.

He welcomed constructive criticism, but pointed out that a “malicious campaign” is being run against the army and its leadership.

Iftikhar said that the formation commanders expressed confidence in the steps taken for the country’s security, especially on account of international security and the Pakistan Army’s role in upholding the rule of law.

“All of them agreed that democracy, strength of institutions and rule of law and all the institutions working within the constitutional limits is the guarantor of national interest,” DG ISPR said, the report added.

He went on to say that the nation’s support is the core of the army’s strength and without it, the concept of national security is meaningless.

Iftikhar said that that is why any intentional or unintentional effort that becomes the reason of creating a rift between the nation and the armed forces is against the broader national interest.

“An organised malicious propaganda is being run against the Pakistan Army and its leadership. Even fake audio messages of different retired senior military officials are being created using a deep-fake technology to create a divide between the nation and armed forces.

“This is illegal, unethical and totally against national interest,” he said.

He then requested the public and the political parties to not drag the army into politics.

“We want to stay out of it. Keep us out of this discourse,” he said, adding that this campaign didn’t get successful ever in the past nor will it in future, Geo News reported.

General Bajwa is neither asking for an extension nor will he accept it, the ISPR DG remarked in response to a question by a journalist.

“He [Gen Bajwa] will retire on time on November 29, 2022,” Iftikhar said.

Responding to another question, the ISPR DG reiterated that the army has nothing to do with politics.

“There is no interference by the Army in any by-election or local bodies election,” Iftikhar said.

He said that it was said that “calls were received”, therefore evidence should be brought to the fore if there is any.

ALSO READ: ‘US has shared interests with Pakistan’

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Bajwa reaches out to India to resolve disputes

Gen Qamar Bajwa indicated that Pakistan is ready to talk with India to resolve all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir issue, reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa said that his country is ready to move forward on Kashmir if India agrees, Dawn reported.

“Pakistan continues to believe in using dialogue and diplomacy to resolve all outstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute and is ready to move forward on this front if India also agrees to do so,” he said.

He had made similar comments at the Islamabad Security Dialogue last year when he had said it was time for both countries to “bury the past and move forward”.

Gen Bajwa highlighted the importance of keeping conflict away from the region, he said Pakistan wanted the Sino-India border to be resolved soon through diplomacy and dialogue as well, Dawn reported.

“I believe it is time for the political leadership of the region to rise above their emotional and perceptional biases and break the shackles of history to bring peace and prosperity to almost three billion people of the region.

“Pakistan recognises that it is the regions and not countries that grow. This is why we believe that peace and stability in our wider region are prerequisites for achieving shared regional prosperity and development. In this regard, our doors are open for all our neighbours,” the COAS said.

During his speech, Gen Bajwa termed India’s accidental launching of a supersonic cruise missile into Pakistan on March 9 a matter of “serious concern”, saying “we expect India to provide evidence to assure Pakistan and the world that their weapons are safe and secure”.

“Unlike other incidents involving strategic weapons systems, this is the first time in history that a supersonic cruise missile from one nuclear-armed nation has landed in another,” he said.

The incident had raised “serious concerns” about India’s ability to manage and operate high-end weapons systems, Gen Bajwa said, adding that the neighbouring country’s “indifferent attitude in not informing Pakistan immediately about the inadvertent launch” was equally concerning, Dawn reported.

Last month, Pakistan had said it wishes to have mutually beneficial relations with all its neighbours including India and resolve all outstanding disputes. Pakistan Charge d’Affaires in New Delhi, Aftab Hassan Khan had stressed that it is essential to resolve the core issue for lasting peace and stability in the region.

India on several occasions has said that it desires normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan. India’s consistent position is that issues between India and Pakistan should be resolved bilaterally and peacefully, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence.

New Delhi has maintained that the onus is on Pakistan to create such a conducive environment.

Pakistan continues to sponsor cross border terrorism against India; restrict normal trade, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges; and engage in hostile and fabricated propaganda to vilify India, according to the Ministry of External Affairs annual report.

Last year, both countries had renewed ceasefire understanding between Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs).

The understanding held quite well for the first few months, but Pakistan again upped the ante in terms of cross-border infiltrations and ceasefire violations from July 2021.

‘Working with neighbours to combat terrorism’

Pakistan is working with the Afghan caretaker government and other neighbours to ensure that terrorist groups are no longer allowed to use the territory of one country against another, General Bajwa said.

“We are committed to preserving our gains against terrorism and a peaceful and prosperous West and South Asia is our goal,” Bajwa added on Saturday at the Islamabad Security Dialogue.

He said the conflict in Afghanistan for decades has created negative externalities and spillover effects, which have adversely impacted Pakistan’s economy, society and security, adding that Pakistan continues to work closely with the international community to pursue peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The Army Chief added that it is the collective responsibility of the international community towards the people of Afghanistan to ensure that timely and adequate humanitarian aid flows into the country, Xinhua news agency reported.

Instead of imposing sanctions which have never worked, the world must incentivise Afghans for their positive behavioural change, he said.

“Unfortunately, lack of financial flows and continued sanctions are creating a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan,” he added at the two-day security dialogue.

Doha hosts talks on Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation

Pakistan believes that peace and stability in the wider region are prerequisites for achieving shared regional prosperity and development, Bajwa added.

Regarding Pakistan-US relations, the Army Chief said Pakistan wants to strengthen ties with the US, but not at the cost of others.

“Pakistan is positioning itself as a melting pot for a positive global economic interest through our focus on connectivity, development and friendship,” he added.

ALSO READ-Bajwa says working with neighbours to fight terrorism

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Bajwa says working with neighbours to fight terrorism

The Army Chief added that it is the collective responsibility of the international community towards the people of Afghanistan to ensure that timely and adequate humanitarian aid flows into the country…reports Asian Lite News

Pakistan is working with the Afghan caretaker government and other neighbours to ensure that terrorist groups are no longer allowed to use the territory of one country against another, Pakistani Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa said.

“We are committed to preserving our gains against terrorism and a peaceful and prosperous West and South Asia is our goal,” Bajwa added on Saturday at the Islamabad Security Dialogue.

He said the conflict in Afghanistan for decades has created negative externalities and spillover effects, which have adversely impacted Pakistan’s economy, society and security, adding that Pakistan continues to work closely with the international community to pursue peace and stability in Afghanistan.

The Army Chief added that it is the collective responsibility of the international community towards the people of Afghanistan to ensure that timely and adequate humanitarian aid flows into the country, Xinhua news agency reported.

Instead of imposing sanctions which have never worked, the world must incentivise Afghans for their positive behavioural change, he said.

“Unfortunately, lack of financial flows and continued sanctions are creating a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan,” he added at the two-day security dialogue.

Pakistan believes that peace and stability in the wider region are prerequisites for achieving shared regional prosperity and development, Bajwa added.

Regarding Pakistan-US relations, the Army Chief said Pakistan wants to strengthen ties with the US, but not at the cost of others.

“Pakistan is positioning itself as a melting pot for a positive global economic interest through our focus on connectivity, development and friendship,” he added.

ALSO READ: Pakistan may backtrack on draconian media ordinance

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Imran slams Bajwa, hails Indian Army

There are reports that Imran Khan was “adviced” by the Pakistani army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and ISI chief Lt General Nadeem Anjum to step down after the OIC meeting…reports Asian Lite News

The Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan is angry and frustrated with his “master” the Pakistani military establishment as it has refused to bail him out at a time when he is facing a crucial no-confidence motion against his government, in what is shaping up to be his toughest test since coming to power in 2018. The establishment has also asked Khan to “resign” as he has lost majority in the parliament.

“I salute India. India’s foreign Policy is better than Pakistan’s, they work for their people, the Indian army is not corrupt and they never interfere in civilian govt” Imran Khan said in a public meeting on Sunday without mentioning the name of Pakistani army.

Pakistani observers see Khan’s statement as a dig at the Pakistani military establishment which controls the country’s foreign policy and the civilian government. Three years ago, it was the Pakistani army or military establishment, rigging the elections in favour of Imran Khan, to head the “hybrid” regime. But now, the army generals have realised that their “Project Imran” have failed miserably and decided to “dump” him.

“The army is not neutral..it has never been. Though they claim to be neutral, it’s the army who are helping the opposition against Imran Khan and Imran Khan is unable to digest this fact that his benefactors have ditched him,” says one Pakistani watcher.

There are reports that Imran Khan was “adviced” by the Pakistani army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and ISI chief Lt General Nadeem Anjum to step down after the OIC meeting without further escalating the matter.

“While Khan complained to Bajwa about his “neutrality,” the army chief is reported to have advised him to follow the Constitution and act responsibly”, said one insider referring to the meeting which took place on Friday.

But Imran Khan is in no mood to listen and has decided to take the fight to the streets. He has asked “millions” of supporters to reach to the Pakistan National Assembly on March 27, a day before the no-confidence motion against him will be tabled in the assembly.

“I want all records of public attendance to be broken, to fight for the soul of Pakistan. We stand with what is right and condemn such shameless buying of politicians’ souls by political mafias to protect their looted wealth,” he said in his tweet.

Imran Khan has also warned his “deserted” parliamentarians, of dire consequences.

“You will not be able to attend public gatherings and no one will marry your children when they grow up,” Khan asserted. “I am just like a father figure to you all. But for God’s sake, don’t make such a big mistake by joining hands with the corrupt Opposition. Think about your children’s future.”

Khan is still hoping that the “divine” power of Allah will come to rescue him.

“Allah is watching this and bad people will not go unpunished,” he tweeted.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

ALSO READ: No-trust motion: Pak opposition accuses Imran of playing religious card

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Did Bajwa ask Imran to step down?

There were speculative reports in Pakistani media that facing imminent defeat, Imran Khan might try to impose an emergency in the country. He might also try to replace General Bajwa…reports Asian Lite News

In the midst of an escalating political crisis, Pakistan is rife with speculation after an unscheduled meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and the country’s Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa on Friday.

An hour-long meeting between Imran Khan and General Bajwa and ISI chief Lt General Nadeem Anjum was “unexpected”.

Though the Pakistani army told the media that they discussed “matters of mutual national, regional, and international interest”, sources say that the meeting was all about the impending no-confidence vote that Imran Khan is trying to thwart using “illegal” means.

“While Khan complained to Bajwa about his ‘neutrality’, the army chief is reported to have advised him to follow the Constitution and act responsibly,” said the source.

This was the first meeting between the two after Khan had hit back at Army chief General Bajwa for claiming political neutrality and in a shocking outburst, said, “only animals remain neutral”.

A defiant Khan had also publicly said that Bajwa asked him not to call the opposition leader Fazl ur Rahman “diesel” but Khan told his supporters that he told Bajwa, the whole country calls Rahman “diesel”.

There were speculative reports in Pakistani media that facing imminent defeat, Imran Khan might try to impose an emergency in the country. He might also try to replace General Bajwa.

“That would be suicidal for Khan. If he loses majority support in the assembly, he would lose his power to declare an emergency. He might whine about the military establishment but if he attacks Bajwa, he will be removed instantly. For his own sake, Khan should act democratically and responsibly,” says Irshad Bhatti of Daily Jang adding that Bajwa might have asked Imran Khan to step down voluntarily as his government has been reduced to a minority.

But Imran Khan is adamant on sticking to power. Some of his allies and dissident members once again proposed that PM Imran Khan should step aside and let someone else step in as the prime minister to save the government. But the “minus-formula” proposal was rejected by the visibly angry Imran Khan. According to Daily Jang, Khan accused them of being bought by the opposition.

“If you want to leave, go ahead but remember, I will take such steps against you that no one will dare to backstab,” the Urdu daily Daily Jang quoted Khan as saying.

The dissident leaders of Imran Khan’s ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party have accused him of using the state police and law enforcing agencies to stop the rebels from voting. Khan has also asked the speaker of the National Assembly to disqualify the rebel members and reject their votes but according to Pakistani experts, the speaker can only act against rebels after voting, not before that.

But Khan is in no mood to listen to “sane” advice. He has called his supporters to besiege Parliament and browbeat parliamentarians on voting day by gathering at D-Chowk in Islamabad which has forced the military establishment to “secure” Islamabad ahead of the OIC meeting.

General Bajwa has directed his generals to put in place comprehensive security measures to ensure the peaceful conduct of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting and the Pakistan Day parade. The OIC Council of Foreign Ministers meeting is scheduled to be held in Islamabad on March 22-23 while the Pakistan Day parade is set to take place on March 23.

(The content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com)

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