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Friday, October 4, 2024

Premiers’ similar past: Are Army, Government on the same page?

Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad, ‎Awami Muslim League, and current Federal Minister for Railway in Prime Minister Imran Khan’s cabinet, has stated that the army and the current government are on the same page. He was talking to Kamran Shahid, on Dunya New’s On The Front, when he said that the army believes how only Imran Khan can deal with a critical situation like this.

News Analysis |

Moreover, the federal minister also clarified that the government could not meet public expectations due to the huge deficit left by previous governments. He explained that even though their team is new but the results are much better, adding that people have confidence that Imran Khan is not a corrupt leader.

It is believed that the establishment in Pakistan has been playing a role in the political process. In 1990s the efforts were made to install Nawaz Sharif but owing to his incompetence and involvement in corruption scandals he could not survive. In the present-day political discourse, Nawaz-league is talking about ‘respect the vote’ but the facts suggest that in 1990s Nawaz was the military’s favorite child. The Asghar Khan case is a demonstrative of how Nawaz was installed and thrown out of his office.

What is the Asghar Khan Case?

In 1996, retired Air Marshal Asghar Khan filed a human rights petition in the Supreme Court of Pakistan and accused the spy agency ISI of distributing money during 1990 elections to get desired outcomes. The case was initiated by the air marshal after Benazir Bhutto’s interior minister, retired Gen Naseerullah Babar, had disclosed in the National Assembly in 1994 how the ISI had distributed money to purchase the loyalty of politicians and journalists and editors so as to manipulate the 1990 elections, form the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI), and affect the defeat of the PPP.

Imran Khan is highly regarded by the Generals and soldiers alike for his undisputed patriotism and commitment to make Pakistan a great country.

In 1990, PPP was in power and Benazir Bhutto was the prime minister of Pakistan. Just after 9 months of her election a vote of no confidence was brought against her. It is said that money was used by the ISI to bring the vote of no confidence against Benazir Bhutto government and also to manage an electoral win for Nawaz Sharif.

Lt. General Asad Durrani’s Confessions

Later on, during the course of inquiry, ISI head Lt. General Asad Durrani confessed that money was distrusted to buy loyalties of politicians and to manage elections for Nawaz Sharif government. He also submitted an affidavit giving names of the politicians as well as journalists, editors and owners.

A confessional statement of former ISI head made the case more interesting and very important to the history of Pakistan. Since his confession had surfaced to further probe into the matter in order to punish those involved in this “illegal” activity.

Read more: Naya Pakistan: Govt. and Armed Forces on the same page to…

Furthermore, now the army has learnt that the country needs an honest and committed leadership if it desires to exist without any existential threat. Imran Khan is highly regarded by the Generals and soldiers alike for his undisputed patriotism and commitment to make Pakistan a great country. Analysts believe that Sheikh Rasheed is justified when it comes to stating that both, army and the government, are on the same page.