After the recent press briefing by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) director-general on the current political situation, politicians have praised the Army’s stance and statements given in the presser.
Taking to Twitter, PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari termed DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar’s press conference “a breath of fresh air for democracy.”
He said that every Pakistani individual and institution is responsible for supporting and protecting democracy, the Constitution and ensuring rule of law.
“Press conference of @OfficialDGISPR is a breath of fresh air for democracy. It is responsibility not only of every institution but every Pakistani to support democracy, constitution and rule of law,” Bilawal wrote.
The PPP chairperson further stated that the transition of Parliament, judiciary and establishment’s from controversial to constitutional roles will not be easy.
“The answer to all of Pakistan’s problems is democracy, democracy and more democracy. If we continue on this path, no power on earth can stop Pakistan’s progress,” he added.
‘Time for accountability’: Maryam Nawaz
PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif berated former prime minister Imran Khan for playing with national security in a bid to save his government.
Taking to Twitter, Maryam wrote: “It is time to make you accountable for your condemnable efforts […] to play with the national security in a bid to save [your] regime”.
“Face the accountability, do not run away like always because this nation won’t let you this time,” she wrote.
Maryam said while addressing Khan in her tweets that his “lies” have shred into parts.
“You played a dangerous game to cling to power […] used the NSC forum for your conspiracy plot. You built a falsifying narrative of ‘absolutely not’ for the bases that were never demanded. You begged the establishment for an NRO and lied that they gave you those ‘options’,” Maryam wrote.
‘False claims exposed’
Meanwhile, PPP Senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar said that the military spokesperson exposed Khan’s false claims and narrative.
“The DG ISPR categorically stated that the word “conspiracy” was not mentioned in the statement issued by the NSC meeting, neither was a demand for bases made by the US,” he said.
Khokhar said Imran Khan blatantly lied that opposition leaders had approached him through the COAS.
“Today, the DG ISPR revealed that it was Imran who approached the army chief for help.
“Khan could not perform and fulfil all the claims he made in the election manifesto and tried to develop a false narrative to deceive the people,” Khokhar said.
He called out the former prime minister to publicly apologise for his lies and attempts to drag security institutions into political issues.
DG ISPR addresses presser
ISPR DG Maj-General Babar Iftikhar Thursday clarified that the word “conspiracy” was not used in the statement issued after a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) last month.
Addressing a press conference on the recently held 79th Formation Commanders’ Conference, the DG ISPR said he cannot discuss what was discussed in the meeting, but noted that the word “conspiracy” was not used.
While responding to the question about former prime minister Khan’s statement about providing military bases, Major General said that no such demand had been made on any level.
“However, the army would have the same stance of ‘absolutely not’ in case the military bases were asked for.”
The DG ISPR also categorically rejected the “rumours” about any political leadership meeting the army chief or his representative in Pakistan or outside.
The DG ISPR said that the establishment did not put forth options before then-prime minister Khan. He, however, said that during the deadlock, the Prime Minister’s Office contacted the military leadership to resolve the matter.
“The political parties were not ready for talks with each other to end the deadlock at that time,” he said. “The army chief and DG ISI visited the PM’s Office at their request to play the role of mediator.”