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Former Prime Minister and PTI chairman Imran Khan on Friday said that the PLMN’s led coalition government’s planned amendments to the Army Act would be challenged in the apex court, claiming that the coalition leaders are making these changes for their ‘vested interests’.
Earlier media reports revealed that the government was considering amending the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) 1952 in a way that would empower the appointing authority — i.e. the prime minister — to retain any candidate through a simple notification, rather than having to go through a complex, constitutional process.
The former premier said that the government was pushing the modifications for its “own benefit” in an informal meeting with journalists today in Lahore.
“The amendments will be challenged in court,” he said.
He asserted that the government was seeking to make the armed forces “like the Punjab police,” and that Nawaz Sharif wanted to bring an army head who would damage the PTI.
The head of PTI added that the nomination of the army chief should follow the same procedure as the appointment of the chief judge. The Chief Justice of Pakistan and all high court judges are chosen based on seniority, as stated in the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1997.
During the meeting today, Imran said that he had not met Gen Bajwa in Lahore, clarifying that President Arif Alvi had had a meeting with the army chief.
Imran’s remarks follow news earlier this week that Alvi and Gen. Bajwa had met. Subsequently, PTI sources had told Dawn that the president had delivered the army chief’s message to Imran regarding his health.
Alvi has emerged as the key player in the army’s ongoing “backchannel talks” with the PTI, which is pertinent to mention at this point. Gen. Bajwa and Imran have already had at least one direct meeting with him at the presidency.
Imran, however, today stated to journalists that there are currently no talks ongoing with anyone.
Moreover, Imran Khan was asked about whether he thought he would be able to deal with the military if he came back to power during an interview with NPR, particularly in light of his recent charges of a senior official plotting his assassination.
“Well, you know, the military has its own good and bad … I think the military recognizes that. I think that the members in the military do make mistakes.”
PTI chief Imran Khan, in an interview with National Public Radio, explained the need for early elections. The former premier alleged the economy was “sinking”, remittances and exports were declining, and Pakistan was “staring at default”.
“… And the sooner we get elections, [the sooner] a stable government comes in that will lead to political stability, which will then have a chance for Pakistan to get out of this mess,” he said.
Asked whether it is in the country’s best interest to be staging protests, Imran said even if the government waits till next year to announce elections, his party was only getting stronger.
“We are gaining from lack of economic performance, but the country is sinking. My only worry is that the one year which is left, the country might just be pushed to the point where it might go out of all control. That may be impossible to pull it back.”
Imran stated that he would file a lawsuit against the Jang Group and businessman Umar Farooq Zahoor in the United Kingdom and Dubai about the allegations surrounding the Toshakhana gift sale.
Imran stated that the development has given him a chance to go to court in response to these accusations today.
“After purchasing something from Toshakhana, I have the option to sell it or retain it.” He said.
“What about the cars Zardari and Nawaz drove away in? Who will pay attention to that?” he questioned.
The PTI leader also stated during the conversation that he would only assume the position of prime minister once he had “full powers.”
