Govt, Army will not go against each other: Imran
ISLAMABAD: On government level, it is has been clarified in Islamabad on Tuesday that the Civilian government and Pakistan Army are on the same page, the appointment of DG-ISI will be according to rules and regulations and no steps will be taken from PM House (government) and Army (COAS) which can damage the reputation and interest of both sides.
A meeting of the federal cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan ‘dismissed’ the ambiguity created by the delay in notification regarding the appointment of the new Director General (DG) of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and he took opposition into confidence in regards to appointment of new DG-ISI Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmad Anjum.
COAS Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and Prime Minister Imran Ran also held discussion at PM House on Tuesday evening and discussed security and other important national issues including the appointment of new DG-ISI.
Prime Minister Imran Khan took the members of the federal cabinet into confidence and said that an attempt was being made to paint the matter in the wrong light. Government sources said that Imran Khan clarified that “we are on the same page and the matter will be resolved amicably soon”.
It may be recalled that the federal capital is currently in the grip of intense speculation due to delay in issuing notification of appointment of DG ISI Lieutenant General Nadeem Ahmed Anjum by the Prime Minister’s Office.
In this regard, the meeting of the Federal Cabinet discussed speculations regarding civil-military relations in which Prime Minister Imran Khan said that there was no disagreement regarding the appointment to important posts. He stressed that speculations on the suspension of the new Director General (DG) of ISI should not be ignored.
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Government and Pak Army are on the same page, the matter of appointment of DG-ISI will be resolved amicably: Imran Khan
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It may be recalled that Federal Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, while talking to the media yesterday, while refusing to give a clear answer in a non-specific manner to a question on the issue, had said that Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on ‘civil-military’ matters. Have the right to speak
Apart from the appointment of a new ISI DG, the cabinet also approved the establishment of the Rehmat-ul-Alamin Authority. The federal cabinet has decided to celebrate the 10th Rehmat-ul-Ulameen in the federation and the provinces with religious fervor. The cabinet meeting approved the abolition of visa fees for Afghan citizens.
Prime Minister is authority to appoint DG ISI lies: Fawad Chaudhry
Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa have “ideal” civil-military relations and they both never take any steps that could “disrespect” each other, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said on Tuesday.
Addressing a post-cabinet meeting press conference, the minister said the authority to appoint the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general “lies with the prime minister”, and that the set procedure would be followed for the purpose.
“The legal procedure will be followed in the appointment of the new DG ISI, for which both [Gen Bajwa and Prime Minister Imran] are in agreement,” he said.
Chaudhry said Prime Minister Imran and the army chief had a “long sitting” last night to discuss the matter and the premier had subsequently taken the cabinet into confidence over the issue.
“Gen Bajwa and the prime minister have close and cordial relations. And it is also important from a historical perspective that there are ideal relations between Pakistan’s civilian and military leaderships,” he added.
Referring to rumours about the matter, Chaudhrys said: “I see on social media, there are many who have wishes; I want to tell them that the Prime Minister’s Office will never undermine the respect of the Pakistan Army and army chief. And the COAS and the army will never take any step that will undermine the respect of Pakistan’s prime minister or civil setup.”
He stressed that both the premier and the military leadership were in close coordination, and the DG ISI would be appointed after fulfilling all the legal requirements. “Both (PM Imran and Gen Bajwa) are in agreement over this and the prime minister has the authority over it,” he said.
Chaudhry also appreciated the media for not “sensationalising” the matter of the DG ISI’s appointment.
The federal cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, discussed the country’s overall political and economic situation.
In recent days, the federal capital has been gripped with feverish speculation about a delay in the issuing of notification for the appointment of incoming ISI Director General Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmad Anjum by the Prime Minister’s Office.
The government had so far maintained silence on the issue.
On Monday, Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, when asked at a media interaction about the issue, had uncharacteristically refused to give a clear answer and said that Information Minister Chaudhry was authorised to speak on “civil-military” issues.
Prime Minister Imran Khan and Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa have “ideal” civil-military relations and they both never take any steps that could “disrespect” each other, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said on Tuesday.
Addressing a post-cabinet meeting press conference, the minister said the authority to appoint the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) director general “lies with the prime minister”, and that the set procedure would be followed for the purpose.
“The legal procedure will be followed in the appointment of the new DG ISI, for which both [Gen Bajwa and Prime Minister Imran] are in agreement,” he said.
Chaudhry said Prime Minister Imran and the army chief had a “long sitting” last night to discuss the matter and the premier had subsequently taken the cabinet into confidence over the issue.
‘No problem’ in Army, govt relations: Sheikh Rashid
Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said there was “no problem” in relations between the Pakistan army and the civilian government, reiterating that the appointment of a new head of the powerful ISI military spy agency last week had taken place “as usual.”
The minister’s comments on Monday came amid widespread media speculation in Pakistan about an alleged rift between Prime Minister Imran Khan and army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa over last week’s appointment of Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmad Anjum as DG ISI.
The army is arguably the most influential institution in Pakistan, with the military having ruled the country for about half of its 74-year history since independence from Britain and enjoying extensive powers even under civilian administrations.
By turn, the head of the ISI occupies one of the most important posts in Pakistan. He is customarily appointed by the prime minister on the advice of the army chief.
Though Gen Anjum’s appointment was announced by the army’s media wing on October 6, the PM House has not yet released an official notification about the posting, fueling speculation.
“Everything is okay,” the interior minister said at a press conference when asked about a civil-military rift, adding that only the information or defense ministers could comment on the matter. “I’m not in a position to give an official statement.”
“However, I want to say that the civil-military relations are steady and there is no problem in this regard. Whenever transfers are made, they take place as usual.”
While announcing the new DG ISI, the army also transferred the current head of the ISI, Lt Gen Faiz Hameed, as Corps Commander Peshawar.
The military intelligence agency is widely believed to have a hidden role in making many of the nuclear-armed nation’s policies, including on Afghanistan and India. The threat to Pakistan from nuclear-armed neighboring India has been a main preoccupation of the ISI through the decades.
Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad further said civil-military relations were on an even keel and the country faced no problem in this regard.
“Everything is okay. I’m not in a position to give an official statement. Only [Information Minister] Fawad Chaudhry and [Defence Minister] Pervez Khattak can speak in this regard. However, I want to say that the civil-military relations are steady and there is no problem in this regard. Whenever transfers are made, they take place as usual,” he said, addressing a press conference on Monday.
Sheikh Rasheed said the PDM should keep in view the region’s current scenario while taking political decisions. Responding to a question regarding snap elections, he reiterated that Prime Minister Imran Khan will complete his five-year term.
He said an Afghanistan Desk will be set up at the PM Office under the prime minister’s directives and the interior ministry will be a part of it. He said long-lasting peace in Afghanistan was a prerequisite for stability in the region and the world.
The minister said Pakistan wanted peace and stability in Afghanistan because it was in both countries and the region’s best interests.
He said all those who have more than one passport can surrender their passports by October 30. The minister said the government had reduced the fee for the dual CNIC process, while the dual passport process fee will also be reduced.
He said the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has been tasked with checking the hoarding of dollars and the government has decided to audit five major companies in this regard. He said 88 people have been arrested for hoarding dollars while 10 more will be arrested.
He said action had been taken against 136 Nadra officials involved in wrongdoings.
The borders of Torkham and Chaman have been placed on the biometric system, while remaining borders will also be added to the system.