iSLAMABAD: Reacting to Nawaz Sharif’s address to opposition’s all parties conference (APC) in less than 24 hours. the military leadership has issued a mild warning to the detractors saying” No one will be allowed to create mayhem in any case in the country under the garb of any campaign”.
The military top brass including Chief of Army Staff (COAS) , Qamar Javed Bajwa and Inter Services Intellegence (ISI) chief, lt. general Faiz Hameed , had a one and half hours long meeting with the parliamentary leaders here on Monday to convey them the armed forces were committed to support and play its role in strengthening democracy in the country and these are the politicians who are to run the affairs of the state and they should do their job . The parliamentey leadere were also told by the military leaderahip in clear terms the armed forces were ready whenever and wherever the civil administration would need its support. COAS also told the parliamentary leaders that the military is not with any party or particular group of politicians and it will support the elected government of the day.
Sources said COAS made it categorically clear to the participants of the meeting the politicians should not try to drag the military in any of their political controversy.
The military top brass had arranged the meeting with the parliamentary leaders to give its formal reaction to Nawaz Sharif address to Sunday’s APC.
Nawaz Sharif had made vacious attacks on Pakistan’s powerful military and asked it not to interfere in politics of the country.
“Our fight is against those who installed Imran Khan as prime minister “, rebellious Nawaz had told to APC participants.
The militaty leadrrship gave a detailed briefing to the participants on the security situation in the country as well as situation arising out of the on-goung Indian violations on the borders.
The participants were conveyed Pakistan was smelling escalation in tension at borders with India in coming weeks and any campaign aimed at creating unrest in the country and provide advantage to the enemy will be dealt with iron hands.
“We have reliable information our enemy is in a bid to use different tools and elements to create unrest in Pakistan and your armed force are fully cognizant to the conspiracy and ready to root out any such effort”, the army chief was quoted as saying during the meeting.
Nawaz Sharif since his ouster from power in the wake of Panama scandal is contiously attacking the judiciary and armed forces. His Sunday’s address to APC was in continuation of his anti military campaign.
Nawaz Sharif’s address was vehemently criticised by government and its allied political parties.
Prime minister, Imran Khan , in his reaction said Nawaz used enemy’s language in his address to APC. He expressed full support to the armed forces and termed them as a symbol of stability of the country.
Ch Shujaat Hussain, PMLQ chief and once a close aide to PMLN supremo, accused Nawaz Sharif of conspiring against the state organs to weaken Pakistan’s armed forces.
Sheikh Rashid who again was a confident of PMLN supremo one time told a private media channel on Monday night Nawaz Sharif was continuously working against the state.
Military issues warning to detractors
Arif Rana is the Chief Editor and senior correspondent, Islamabad based journalist, who did his Master in English Literature from Government College University Lahore.