ISLAMABAD: The prime minister’s letter for the appointment of a new chief of army staff (COAS) has been communicated to the General Headquarters (GHQ) by the defence ministry, Khawaja Asif said on Monday.
“The process of appointment of new COAS will be completed in a couple of days,” the defence minister said on the floor of the National Assembly. “After the new appointment, the chaos will be subsided.”
He urged the media to maintain the “sanctity” of the Constitutional procedure of the appointment of the new army chief, adding that the government would “deal with” PTI chief Imran Khan at the completion of the process.
“Imran Khan’s political tactics to come back in power are damaging the unity of the country and the nation along with the respect and sanctity of the institutions that supported him for four years unconditionally,” Asif said.
“The institution after 75 years announced the univocal neutrality and returning to its constitutional role but Imran Khan is mocking or taunting the institute for its decision,” he added.
The defence minister was of the view that the PTI chief should be “ashamed” that he apparently failed to deliver despite the “unconditional support” of the institution, instead of attacking them.
He admitted that the available 70 years record of Toshakhana showed that many rulers bought gifts from it, however, Imran was the first one to sell it in the market to make money.
“I am surprised to think about the morals and standards of Imran Khan’s followers?” said the baffled minister, alleging that the PTI chief was caught red-handed.
On the former premier’s recent “U-turn”, Asif said Imran blamed the US for the vote of no-confidence against him but he exonerated the superpower from the blame after a few months.
Secondly, the defence minister added Imran blamed the army, intelligence agencies, and the establishment for supporting the opposition in the no-confidence vote against him. “But, later on, he also exonerated them which is a blessing that he admitted his ouster by the parliamentarians in a constitutional way.”
He alleged that Imran had been inviting the army to take control of the country through martial law, but they “refused”.
Recalling the history, the defence minister said the establishment took over the country four times in the past and directly ruled for 37 years – out of which Ayub Khan ruled for eleven, Yahya Khan for three, General Zia ruled for eleven and General Musharraf ruled for nine – but now the institution has decided to be “neutral and play their apolitical role” in accordance with the Constitution.
“Let’s support them and give them an opportunity to fulfill their pledge and perform their constitutional role,” he said and again requested the media to refrain from creating “unnecessary hype” on the appointment of new COAS. He described it as a routine matter which takes place every three years or in some cases delayed.
“Let’s hope and pray that we cross this threshold in the next two-to-three days. All predictions in media are wrong and baseless.”
