The Inter-Services Public Relations, the media wing of Pakistan armed forces, has reacted to “imprudent” comments made by politicians about Lt General Faiz Hameed, the former DG-ISI who currently commands the XI Corps of the Pakistan Army also known as Peshawar Crops.
The ISPR on Thursday issued a statement deploring the remarks by politicians without naming anyone.
The ISPR said that “the Peshawar Corps is an illustrious formation of Pakistan Army spearheading national war against terrorism for over two decades.”
“One of the most competent and professional officers is entrusted with the responsibility to lead this prestigious formation,” it said.
The military’s media wing said that “imprudent comments made by important senior politicians recently about Corps Commander Peshawar are very inappropriate.”
“Such statements undermine the honour and morale of institution and its leadership. It is expected that the senior political leadership of country refrains from passing objectionable remarks against the institution whose brave officers and men are constantly putting their lives on the line to guard the integrity and sovereignty of Pakistan.”
What prompted the statement
At least three politicians have made remarks about Gen Faiz Hameed in the past few days.
Former president and PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari at the end of his press conference in Karachi on Wednesday had said that Lt Gen Faiz Hameed had been “sidelined” (khudday line laga hua hay) after being posted to lead the Peshawar Corps.
The PPP leader immediately realized his gaffe and clarified that it was an off-the-cuff remark.
On the same day, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told BBC Urdu in an interview that if Lt Gen Faiz Hameed’s name were on the seniority list it would be considered for the appointment of the next chief of army staff.
On Thursday, Maryam Nawaz Sharif was asked to comment on Khawaja Asif’s statement and she said that “a competent person, someone who has no blot on him, should become the chief of army staff.”
Armed forces won’t compromise on security of people
Shortly after the statement was issued, ISPR DG Major General Babar Iftikhar spoke to Dunya TV in a phone call and provided the context of the statement issued by the ISPR besides answering questions about Imran Khan’s planned long march.
To a question that some people are criticizing the armed forces of Pakistan, DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar said, “the statement that we have issued, I have made it clear in detail especially in last few days lots of statements were made from our senior political leadership on different occasions which are extremely inappropriate.”
“As an institution, we have been showing restraint for quite some time. We have repeatedly been requesting not to drag the army into politics. Our country is facing a lot of security challenges, our forces are engaged on many fronts including on eastern and western borders, in the north as well as in internal security. The armed forces leadership is focused on these challenges. We have no role in the political situation of the country, as an institution,” he said.
“Once again, I would like to request everyone, be it politicians or media, keep army out of political discourse,” the DG ISPR said.
On the speculations surrounding the appointment of the next army chief, DG ISPR said, “It is totally inappropriate. The post of COAS is an important position and the procedure for the appointment of the army chief has clearly been mentioned in the constitution. When the time comes, the appointment will be made according to the law and constitution. I believe that discussing this post for no reason is akin to making this very office controversial. This serves neither the interest of the country nor the institution.”
When asked that in public rallies, the army has been called upon to conduct early elections and whether it was appropriate to invite the army to intervene, the general replied, “It’s not appropriate at all. We have been making it clear for quite some time that the armed forces have nothing to do with the politics.”
“As per the constitution, the army has orders to stay away from the politics. If I talk about the last one year, we have demonstrated this. Look at any by-elections taken place in the last one year, cantonment boards elections or local bodies elections or any other political activity in the country, we have clearly distanced ourselves from such activities. All senior politicians have testified to that.
“Making any such statement in public rallies or statements that invites the army, in any capacity, to intervene in political discourse, is extremely inappropriate. It doesn’t suit anyone.”
The general was then asked that certain politicians were saying that the long marches would be bloodied and the law and order situation can deteriorate.
He replied “I won’t make any comment on this. We are performing our duties. The leadership of the armed forces is always ready for the security of the country. We won’t compromise on the security of the people of Pakistan.”
