On Monday, Pakistan’s all-powerful military lashed out at former prime minister and chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaaf (PTI), Imran Khan, saying that the group was ‘aghast’ by his remarks on the senior military leadership of the nation.
Imran Khan said during a public rally that the government was delaying elections until the selection of the new Army head when the existing Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa would retire. This led to the Pakistan Army’s rather unusual public display of disappointment.
“Pakistan Army is aghast at the defamatory and uncalled for statement about the senior leadership of Pakistan Army by Chairman PTI during a political rally at Faisalabad,” Pakistan Army said in a statement, as per media reports.
At an earlier rally in Faisalabad, Khan claimed that Asif Ali Zardari and Nawaz Sharif had “stolen public money”.
Because they have taken public funds, (Asif Ali) Zardari and Nawaz (Sharif) want to put their favourite as the next army chief, according to Khan.
Senior politicians are attempting to incite controversy over the nomination of the COAS: Pakistani Army.
“Regrettably, an attempt has been made to discredit and undermine senior leadership of Pakistan Army at a time when the institution is laying lives for the security and safety of the people of Pakistan every day… Senior politicians trying to stir controversies on appointment of COAS of Pakistan Army, the procedure for which is well defined in the constitution, is most unfortunate and disappointing,” the statement further said.
The Islamabad High Court censured Khan on Monday for his comments criticising the Pakistani Army, stating that nothing in that nation may be at risk because of the “game of thrones.” The IHC Head Justice questioned during the hearing, “How can you say in public whether an army chief is a patriot or not?”
