RAWALPINDI: Director General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar on Thursday said that the statement issued by the National Security Committee last month did not include the word ‘conspiracy’.
He was answering a question by a journalist after his media briefing, which came on the heels of the recent Corps Commanders Conference. The journalist had asked the army leadership’s stance on Imran Khan’s claim of a foreign conspiracy to oust him and whether the NSC had endorsed such a claim.
“As far as military response about the NSC meeting is considered, that stance, in that meeting was fully given, and then a statement was issued which clearly says what was concluded in that meeting,” the DG ISPR added.
Gen Iftikhar further said, “The words used are in front of you, as I said, the words used are clear. Is there any word such as conspiracy used in it? I think not.” He also announced that the minutes of the NSC meeting can be declassified if the government decides.
Briefing journalists on the recently held formation commanders conference at the General Headquarters, the DG ISPR said the formation commanders expressed confidence in the steps taken for the country’s security, especially on account of international security and the Pakistan Army’s role in upholding the rule of law.
“All of them agreed that democracy, strength of institutions and rule of law and all the institutions working within the constitutional limits is the guarantor of national interest,” DG ISPR said. He went on to say that the nation’s support is the core of the army’s strength and without it, the concept of national security is meaningless.
Gen Babar also asked political parties and the public not to drag the Pakistan Army into politics. However, he welcomed constructive criticism, but pointed out that a “malicious campaign” is being run against the army and its leadership. “Any effort to create a rift between people and the armed forces is against national interest” he added.
“An organised malicious propaganda is being run against the Pakistan Army and its leadership. Even fake audio messages of different retired senior military officials are being created using a deep-fake technology to create a divide between the nation and armed forces,” he said.
“This is illegal, unethical and totally against national interest,” the DG ISPR said, again requesting the public and political parties to not drag the army into politics. “We want to stay out of it. Keep us out of this discourse,” he said, adding that this campaign didn’t get successful ever in the past nor will it in future.
Gen Iftikhar continued that the word neutral doesn’t properly describe the army’s stance. He said this in answer to a question. “The word apolitical is better. In our constitutional and legal setup, no kind of political affiliation or interference should exist.”
‘Imran Khan approached Army Chief’
In response to another question, the DG ISPR revealed that the former prime minister Imran Khan had approached the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa to help find a solution to the political crisis.
“It is unfortunate that our political leadership was not ready to talk. So the army chief and DG ISI went to the PMO and three scenarios were discussed,” he said, recalling that one was that the no-confidence motion should be held as it was.
The other were that the prime minister resigns or the no-confidence motion was retracted and the assemblies were dissolved. “No option from the establishment was given,” Gen Iftikhar clarified.
The ISPR DG rubbished rumours doing round on social media about the establishment meeting opposition parties. “There is no truth to this,” he asserted. “I heard these things. Investigative journalism has gone forward a lot. If someone has evidence, bring it forward. There were no such contacts, no deal,” he added.
Gen Babar Iftikhar further said that there were rumours about the army chief’s extension too. “Let me put this to rest. COAS is neither seeking extension nor will he accept it. He will be retiring on time on November 22. “This is character assassination without evidence,” he added.
