PTI Chairman and former Prime Minister Imran Khan is facing intense criticism for his controversial remarks on the appointment of Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Apart from PML-N and PPP leaders, even Islamabad High Court (IHC) Chief Justice Athar Minallah expressed his disappointment over Imran Khan’s speech.
To clarify, Imran Khan, during his Faisalabad rally on Sunday, alleged that the PPP and PML-N were opposing fresh elections, because they wanted to “appoint an army chief of their choice” in November to save their skin in corruption cases.
Imran Khan also said that former President Asif Zardari and former premier Nawaz Sharif “fear” a strong and patriotic army chief, who could hold them accountable for the looted money they had stashed abroad.
Needless to say, his comments did not sit well with many, especially since the Army has requested on numerous occasions to not drag the armed forces into politics.
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During today’s hearing against the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s (PEMRA) order prohibiting television channels from airing Khan’s speeches live, the IHC asked whether PTI Chairman Imran Khan wanted to hurt the morale of the armed forces by delivering anti-military speeches.
“Do political leaders deliver such speeches? Will everything be put at stake just for the sake of a ‘Game of Thrones’?” the IHC CJ asked while making a reference to the popular TV show.
“Do you want to hurt the morale of the army by giving anti-army statements? Do you think that anyone in the army is not a patriot?” the IHC CJ further questioned.
PML-N and PPP slam Imran Khan
Similarly, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and PPP Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari lambasted Imran Khan for his remarks.
PM Shehbaz, in a statement on Twitter, berated Khan for maligning state institutions and said that the PTI chairman’s “despicable utterances” were hitting new levels every day.
“Imran Niazi’s despicable utterances to malign institutions are touching new levels every day. He is now indulging in direct mud-slinging and poisonous allegations against Armed Forces and its leadership. His nefarious agenda is clearly to disrupt and undermine Pakistan,” Shehbaz Sharif tweeted.
Imran Niazi’s despicable utterances to malign institutions are touching new levels every day. He is now indulging in direct mud-slinging & poisonous allegations against Armed Forces & its leadership. His nefarious agenda is clearly to disrupt & undermine Pakistan.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) September 5, 2022
In a statement on Twitter, PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari said that the nation was now aware of the person spreading chaos in the country.
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“This man is determined to weaken the country, but we won’t let that happen,” he alleged, vowing that the government won’t let the state institutions and generals fall prey to Imran’s “lust”.
کراچی: پاکستان پیپلزپارٹی پارلیمنٹرینز کے صدر آصف علی زرداری کا بیان
ساری قوم کو نظر آرہا ہے کہ اس قوم کا فتنہ کون ہے، آصف علی زرداری، سابق صدر مملکت
آج سب کو انسان اور حیوان کا پتہ چل گیا ہے، صدر زرداری@AAliZardari
— PPP (@MediaCellPPP) September 5, 2022