Pakistan: Amid speculation about possibilities of imposing martial law in Pakistan amid political turmoil and deteriorating law and order situation, Army Chief General Asim Munir dismissed the claims and said the entire military leadership should believe in democracy.
The remarks by Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry came after nearly four days of political turmoil triggered by the arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Khan, in which the army The establishments of The General Headquarters in Rawalpindi was also targeted.
“There is no question of imposing martial law in the country,” he told Geo News. He said that the Army Chief General and the entire military leadership along with him believe in democracy.
“Army remains Pakistan’s most powerful institution”
The military remains Pakistan’s most powerful institution, having ruled directly through three coups for almost half of its 75-year history. Chaudhary stressed that the unity of the army is unbreakable and will serve as a pillar of stability and security for the country.
He also dismissed social media rumors about the resignation of top army officers or anyone found flouting military discipline.
An army spokesman said on Friday, “No one in the army has resigned nor has anyone violated any order.”
He also rejected the notion of division within the military in the wake of attacks on military facilities during the protests following Khan’s arrest. “Despite internal and external propaganda, the army is united and will remain so,” he said.
Major General Chaudhary further said that despite internal miscreants and external enemies, the army is united.
‘Dividing the Pakistan Army will remain a dream’
The dream of dividing the Pakistan Army will remain a dream, the army is united under the leadership of Army Chief General Asim Munir and will remain so.
He called upon the public and the media to rely on verified information from official sources instead of relying on unfounded speculation.
After Khan’s arrest on 9 May, when rioters ransacked the residence of Corps Commander Lahore, the army came under the scanner for not reacting.
At least 10 people have been killed in the violence that broke out after the dramatic arrest of Khan by paramilitary rangers from the Islamabad High Court on Tuesday.
The unrest in the country has subsided for the time being as the Islamabad High Court (IHC) granted full relief to Khan and restrained the authorities from arresting the PTI chief till Monday morning.
Khan has been highly critical of the establishment, particularly of former Army Chief General (Retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa’s alleged role in the toppling of his government in April 2022.
Before retirement, General Bajwa had said that the Pakistan Army would remain apolitical.
(With inputs from PTI)