With a clear and unambiguous stance, today’s DGISI and DGISPR press conference was extraordinary, in which many important messages were given, some things were explained in detail, the confusion on some issues was also removed. In this sense, it should be said that the position of the forces came out very well at the official level.
No one can now say that the position of the establishment has not come out or there is ambiguity on such and such a thing. After today’s press conference, there is no ambiguity left.
Project Imran Khan closed
A very important thing was made clear Project Imran Khan is completely over. The establishment admitted its mistake at the institutional level and completely reverted to its previous thinking and opinion. In simple words, the romance between Imran Khan and the establishment is over.
In the elections of 2018, Imran’s establishment relationship was at its best. In the first two years of Imran’s government, it was being said that this is a ten-year project and the election of 2030 will also be won by Imran Khan.
Now it is all over. It was announced six months ago. Despite this, some people of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf and even Imran Khan used to indicate that the process of negotiations is going on at some level and the establishment is partly sympathetic to him, if not completely.
Some conspiracy theorists continued to say that what happened from March to April is actually an excuse to give a two-thirds majority to Imran Khan and all this is a kind of trickery, the aim is to make Imran popular and win the election. Is, etc. etc. This childish conspiracy theory also died today.
Changing the face will not change the policy
One thing that has been very well told and explained to the nation is that the current policy is not an individual’s but an institutional thinking and the opinion was formed after detailed consideration. DG ISPR’s sitting with the DGISI was showing seriousness and intellectual composure with the gravity of the situation.
Lt. General Nadeem was showing the institutional position of the army. Therefore, Imran Khan or all the constituencies of Tehreek-e-Insaf should understand that the situation will not change with the departure of the current chief and the arrival of a new one. They should accept this fact and move forward.
A complete negation of Imran’s narrative
Both high-ranking officers clearly and bluntly rejected Imran Khan’s entire political narrative as false. What they said, was that Imran Khan played political games regarding the cipher, concocting a false narrative. The reality is not like this, the chief had discussed the cipher with Prime Minister Imran, on March 27 when Khan waved a paper in the rally, we (the establishment) were shocked, etc.
He also mentioned that as Prime Minister, Imran Khan’s expectations from the establishment were wrong and unrealistic, he was asking the institutions to play unconstitutional roles by exceeding their constitutional role, etc.
Declaration of Non-Political
It was emphasized that the army as an institution would now will keep itself away from politics, for which the English term apolitical was used. They also admitted their past mistakes in round words and that such mistakes will not be repeated now, the organization will remain non-political, politicians will do politics. What was not said openly, if it was said, if we were not neutral, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf would not have won the by-elections on 17th July and 16th October and they would not have got the Punjab government either.
“Enough is enough” announcement
The two Pak Army officers also expressed the institution’s disapproval of Imran Khan’s criticism on the establishment and said that Imran Khan made various allegations and told lies. Meetings at night and called traitors during the day. Sometimes animals, sometimes neutral, Mir Jafar, Mir Sadiq etc. Emphasizing the point that we have not become neutral but non-political i.e. apolitical. DGISI said that silence of truth is not appropriate when lies are being told continuously. This was also an attack on Imran Khan.
It was also said that in March, the prime minister had offered the chief an unconditional job extension. This is something that Imran Khan should answer. This is the first time that the matter of extension of tenure has come up and Imran Khan should express his views on it.
Announcement of future plans
This press conference revealed that institutionally it has been decided that the establishment will now remain apolitical and somewhat low profile. The civil government will be allowed to function, they will be given all possible help when they need and ask for help. Economic and political stability will be established in the country and no group will be allowed to create instability. That is, the expression of buying a book.
In a sense, it was a warning to Imran Khan’s long march and his aggressive agenda that the attempt to topple the government would not be tolerated. However, it was also clearly said that the constitution and laws allow peaceful democratic political protest. On the question of a journalist, he also said that even in the western world, political activities and political protests continue, three or four governments have changed in Great Britain, etc.
According to my calculations, it has been clearly stated that no matter how much Imran Khan holds a long march or sit-in, he will not get any help or support from the establishment regarding the change of government, but will be opposed. Now this It is up to Imran Khan to what extent he understands this message and what changes he brings in his policy?
The red line has been crossed
It seems as if Imran Khan has crossed the red line in the opinion of the establishment. Both the DGs coming to the press conference is itself an unusual step. Clear and honest talks were also made on various issues. It seems that Imran Khan’s stand on the killing of Arshad Sharif was very painful and disturbing for the establishment. Perhaps they were not expecting Imran Khan to use this tragedy against them.
In today’s press conference, some messages were for Imran Khan. One of them is that we have not revealed your secrets, but if you don’t stop blaming, then everything can come out. An indication was given regarding the meetings of Imran Khan, their evidence can also be presented if necessary. Now it is to be seen whether Khan has received the message well or is underestimating it?
Arshad Sharif Murder Case
A major part of the press conference revolved around Arshad Sharif’s murder. I found it relatively weak, the arguments were not strong and the narrative was not engaging. In fact, the establishment wanted to make it clear that they have nothing to do with this matter. This is understandable. After all, what has happened to the establishment to target a journalist abroad?
Arshad Sharif had never become so dangerous that such a high-level effort was made to remove him. What kind of evidence is to be found in the documentary which is being referred to? What difference will it make? Nothing. Release a video of someone objectionable in Pakistani politics, even then it will not make an iota of difference in his support.
But the question is that the responsibility of this tragedy cannot even be placed on Tehreek-e-Insaf or people close to Arshad Sharif. There is also no strong evidence to point toward Salman Iqbal. It is also a weak argument that Arshad Sharif was sent out under some conspiracy, otherwise, he was not in danger here. How was it not dangerous? Sixteen FIRs were registered against him in different cities of the country. Arshad Sharif could also be arrested among them.
Being arrested by the police in Pakistan means humiliation, humiliation, torture and many days of trouble. Arshad Sharif also lost his job, he was receiving threats, all this was enough to make him decide to go out. Leave Arshad Sharif, after all Sabir Shakir has also gone out. Let’s bring it back.
Unprofessional journalistic behavior
Since every channel showed the press conference live, everyone’s interest was also high due to DGISI. Therefore, the entire press conference was seen, various media houses were represented, many senior journalists were also present. The quality of the questions, however, was not much better. Many loaded questions were asked which are considered very bad in journalistic code. Answers to some questions were already understood, it seemed that the questioner asked a useless question just to get his face registered.
I was surprised when a few senior journalists also put a charge sheet on Imran Khan instead of asking anything relevant in their questions. It was not their job. They should have raised genuine questions. Young journalists were also disappointed by the questions, revolutionary romanticism is a feature of life in youth, the person becomes fearless and asks questions.
Unfortunately, no one saw this glimpse. Salim Safi’s question was also disappointing. Such a historic press conference, such an important issue, and he sat down with his own personal baggage. His behavior was unprofessional.
The most important message of this press conference, although it was not expressed in words, was that Imran Khan’s story is over, he cannot come to power anymore, not immediately at any rate. A long march will also be fruitless and unsuccessful.
Interestingly, this message itself is controversial and does not match the requirements of being A political. These are the complex problems and dilemmas of Pakistani politics. Here one has to do what should not be done and what should be done, often cannot be done.
