PTI leader and President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi has allegedly revealed that former Chief of Army Staff General (retd.) Bajwa assisted former Prime Minister Imran Khan in the Senate and during the elections as well.
According to the details by the local media, the President held a wide-ranging conversation with journalists, leaders of the business community, and foreign diplomats at a dinner on Saturday.
The talk turned to the reasons for the decline in the relations between Imran Khan and Gen (retd) Bajwa, to which the President reportedly remarked that he himself was still looking for the answer. President Alvi also allegedly noted that the turning point for the relations was probably October last year and then it was April or May this year.
Pertinent to mention that former Prime Minister Imran Khan has accused Gen (retd) Bajwa of being behind the conspiracy that led to his ouster from the government.
BIG: Former Army Chief of #Pakistan Gen (R) Qamar Javed Bajwa is responsible for the regime change,I didnt speak about Bajwa when he was COAS because i didnt want to raise questions on Pak army but it was Gen Bajwa who led the conspiracy against my govt, Says Former PM Imran Khan pic.twitter.com/XzDqRQPvZo
— Ghulam Abbas Shah (@ghulamabbasshah) December 17, 2022
However, the president added that Gen Bajwa and his team had assisted Imran Khan in the Senate, and they did help the PTI during the elections also.
Read more: Bajwa told me to remove Usman Buzdar: Imran Khan
When asked about Imran Khan’s allegations against former army chief Gen (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, the president remarked that although the other side maintained that they had become neutral and they did not push people away, he believed there was some pushing away.
Gen Bajwa’s “role” in Pakistani politics
The Pakistan Army on multiple occasions has asserted that it is apolitical and does not wish to be dragged into political matters. On the other hand, political leaders continue to claim that ex-COAS Gen (retd) Bajwa would advise them on political matters.
On one occasion, PTI Chairman Imran Khan claimed that the former COAS advised him to remove former Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.
“Bajwa sahab told me several times to remove Usman Buzdar. To which I replied that I have been in politics for 22 years, wouldn’t I know more about what’s best for me?” Imran Khan had said.
Read more: Bajwa told me to remove Usman Buzdar: Imran Khan
Similarly, PML-Q claimed that it had offers from both PTI and PDM however, former COAS Qamar Bajwa told the party to support PTI Chairman Imran Khan.