This is defining moment, Govt wants a “non-professional army chief”: Imran
LAHORE: Former prime minister and PTI chief Imran Khan has once again claimed that he got confirm reports that the government was introducing changes in the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) 1952 in an effort to bring in an army chief who could “protect them”. The present government infact wants a “protector” as there was a chance that the current leaders would flee the country. They are doing this all for themselves, no the country,” he said.
“Their concern is not the country but ending their [corruption] cases, ending the opposition. Their aim is not to bring an army chief who is professional [..] because their interests are against the country.
Imran Khan told the nation that this was a “defining moment” for the country. “When a nation stands up and decides not to succumb under oppression […] they are unstoppable. God has instructed us to stand against oppressors.”
He said that the nation which tolerated “these thieves” would never be able to progress.
Changes in Army Act
Imran Khan said the government was planning to amend the Pakistan Army Act before appointing the new army chief, adding his fear was that such decisions taken by the incumbent administration would damage state institutions.
Khan, who is also the head of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, issued the statement during a video address to the anti-government protest march of his followers and workers who are gradually moving toward the federal capital in a bid to demand fresh elections in the country.
The PTI chief, who was ousted from power in a no-confidence vote in April after losing his parliamentary majority, said earlier this year the government wanted to bring an army chief of its own choice to save its leaders from corruption cases.
He raised similar concerns during his latest address, saying that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his family did not believe in merit and thought of their own interests while making important appointments.
“I am seeing that the government has taken a decision to amend the Army Act,” he said, adding: “They have always appointed people with a view of how their decision can benefit them personally. So, if they are taking a decision and amending the Army Act my concern is that they will damage state institutions.”
Khan maintained the Sharifs had huge palaces and their businesses were abroad.
“How much concern would they have for Pakistan to take a decision regarding such an important appointment on merit,” he asked.
He added it was “a very crucial time for Pakistan in which all decisions should be taken on merit, especially one relating to the appointment of the army chief.”
Imran vows to expose ‘propaganda’
During his live address, Imran Khan said that the government was carrying out “propaganda” against his party in collusion with Geo News.
“I am doing a case against them in the United Kingdom, in London and Dubai. I will expose them. Media houses formed in the name of freedom of speech are doing propaganda.”
He went on to say that the current government, that was accused of corruption worth billions, had tried to accuse him of doing the same. He alleged that the coalition government only came into power to eradicate the corruption cases against them.
Still threat to life
Imran Khan said that there still remained a threat to his life even after the Wazirabad assassination attempt.
Questioned about any lingering threat in an interview with France 24 today, Imran said: “Well, unfortunately, I do think they could try again. The threat [to my life] remains. Those people who wanted me to be eliminated […] the reason they want me to be eliminated is that my party is by far the most popular party in Pakistan.”
Imran said the PTI had won 75 per cent of the recent by-elections held in the country despite “all the other parties put together backed by the establishment”. “We have swept the by-elections because people don’t want these criminals who are ruling Pakistan right now,” he said.
The PTI chief claimed he enjoyed “massive public support” and the only way “to get me out of the way is to eliminate me so I think there is still a threat”.
He added that even though he would take more precautions now upon joining the party’s long march to Islamabad, the fear of death would not stop him from “pursuing what I believe is a mission to fight for the rule of law in this country.”
Imran said there were “political mafias and institutions” which were above the law, adding that it was the reason for the country’s lack of progress.
“The threat of being killed is not going to stop me from resuming this mission.”
DG ISI press conference
In response to a question about the press conference of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) chief last month, Imran said it was an “unadvisable” press conference, explaining that no ISI head should do a press talk.
“If I reply to it point by point then the institution of the army will be damaged and that’s not what I would like to do because we do need a strong defence force here.
“I think the press conference was also in response to our best investigative journalist who was portraying my point of view. He had been threatened with death after which left the country and was later assassinated in Kenya,” Imran said, referring to the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif.
Imran said there was a “big public backlash” in the killing’s wake and “people pointed fingers at the establishment”. “I felt that the press conference was more to placate the public opinion,” he added.
Backtracking on US comments
Talking about his recent change of position regarding the United States where Imran said he no longer “blamed” the US administration for his removal from power, the PTI chief reiterated his claim about the Cablegate cypher and its alleged role in his government’s ouster.
“What I said was that [the conspiracy] is behind me. I should not […] just because my government was toppled by the US […] I should not let this get in way of what is in the interest of the people of Pakistan which is to have good relations with all countries but especially the US which is a superpower.
“That’s exactly what I said. I never backtracked on this because the cypher exists. It was put in the cabinet, NSC (National Security Committee) and now it is with the chief justice … so there was no question of backtracking but it was a question of moving on,” the PTI chairman said.
12-day physical remand
An anti-terrorism court (ATC) in Wazirabad has granted the police 12-day physical remand of Naveed, who opened fire on PTI chairman Imran Khan during the party’s long march on Nov 3.
Earlier today, the police presented Naveed before the court with the plea of a 30-day remand. The police said that they need to investigate the suspect further, recover weapons from his custody and collect scientific evidence.
Subsequently, Judge Rana Zahid Iqbal approved Naveed’s 12-day physical remand and directed the police to present him in court on Nov 29.
During the hearing today, the court also ordered an inquiry against the investigation officers in the case for presenting the suspect in court 10 days after the registration of a first information report.
“The head of the JIT (joint investigating team) is being instructed to probe and fix responsibility against the delinquents under intimation to this court till next date of hearing, failing which the law shall take its own course,” the judge directed.