Director-General (DG) Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar Thursday reiterated that Pakistan Army has nothing to do with politics and asked the political parties and public not to drag armed forces into politics.
The DG ISPR Major General Babar Iftikhar was addressing a press conference to brief journalists on the formation commanders conference recently held at the General Headquarters.
‘Malicious campaign’
During the presser, the DG ISPR condemned the propaganda campaign by some quarters to malign the Pakistan Army and create division between the military and society.
“A malicious campaign is being run against the army and its leadership,” he said, adding that any effort to create a rift between people and the armed forces is against national interest.
NSC meeting
Major General Babar Iftikhar further clarified that the word “conspiracy” was not used in the statement issued after a meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) held last month on “threat letter.”
“Is there any word such as conspiracy used in the statement of NSC? I don’t think so”.
‘COAS not seeking extension’
General Babar Iftikhar stated that Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa is not seeking an extension and will neither accept one.
The COAS will complete his tenure in November this year, he added.
‘US never asked for military bases’
While reposing a question regarding the United States asking for operational bases in Pakistan and former prime minister Imran Khan’s reply of “absolutely not”, the military spokesperson said, “if bases were asked for, the army would have the same stance”.
“The US did not even ask for bases and there was no mention of it on any level,” Major Gen Babar Iftikhar said.
‘BBC story baseless’
DG ISPR rejected British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Urdu report related to the ouster of former Prime Minister Imran Khan and the events at the PM House.
The ISPR said that BBC Urdu story published today is totally “baseless” and a “pack of lies.”
Establishment didn’t give three options
The ISPR director general further revealed that the former prime minister had approached the COAS Bajwa to mediate and help find a solution to the political crisis.
The army chief and DG ISI went to the PMO and three scenarios were discussed,” he said, adding that no option from the establishment was given to PM Office.
