PPP Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has hailed the armed forces spokesperson’s statement about the country’s political situation and described it as a “breath of fresh air” for democracy.

Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Major General Babar Iftikhar on Thursday addressed a press conference in Rawalpindi regarding the recently held Formation Commanders’ Conference and answered a wide range of questions during the hour-long event, including those pertaining to the army chief’s tenure.

The ISPR DG said the army’s constitutional and legal role in the government setup doesn’t allow any political interference or allegiance. He added that any claims of interference need to be substantiated with evidence.

“As you can see for yourself, in the last two years the armed forces have not interfered in any by-election or local government polls,” he had said and emphasised that Pakistan’s future lies in democracy. “Martial law will never be imposed again, God willing.”

Reacting to the press conference, PPP Chairperson Bilawal in a tweet said: “It is the responsibility not only of every institution but every Pakistani to support democracy, constitution and rule of law.”

He was of the view that parliament, judiciary, and establishment transition from “controversial to constitutional roles” would not be easy. “The answer to all of Pakistan's problems is democracy, democracy and more democracy. If we continue on this path no power on earth can stop Pakistan’s progress,” Bilawal said.

ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar had also said that the word “conspiracy” was the statement of the National Security Committee meeting, which was called upon to discuss the purported threat letter.

Taking to Twitter, PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz slammed the former premier for apparently using the NSC forum for a conspiracy drama. She further criticised Imran for chanting “false slogans” of ‘absolutely not’ for bases, which were not sought by the US administration.

“Time has come that you [Imran Khan] should be held accountable for every lie,” she said, adding that apparent attempts made to play with the NSC for the sake of (PM)’s “chair should be accounted for.

However, former information minister Fawad Chaudhry was of the view that the ISPR DG's presser confirmed the NSC statement and stressed the need for forming a judicial commission to look into the claims of interference.

In a series of tweets, he linked the political developments with the NSC statement.