News
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Democracy survives, once again: Army backs democracy, no plan for ‘takeover’* COAS says speculations of takeover are being used as a bogey to divert focus from real issues of country
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Within 24 hours of Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani’s stern warning to the military to remain within its constitutional limits, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Friday brushed aside all the speculations of any military takeover by throwing his weight behind the democratic process.
In the backdrop of Gilani’s caustic remarks, indicating that a conspiracy was being hatched against the government, the top military commander of the country vowed to support democracy. “The Pakistan Army has and will continue to support democratic process in the country,” General Kayani declared when he spoke to troops stationed in the forward posts in Mohmand and Kurram agencies.
According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations, the army chief said that the army was fully cognisant of its constitutional obligations and responsibilities, an apparent reference to the prime minister’s remarks about military to not to create state within a state.
Gen Kayani dispelled the speculations of any military takeover and said that these were misleading and were being used as a bogey to divert the focus from the real issues.
The army chief emphasised that the issues of national security need to be considered on merit alone, saying that irrespective of all other considerations, there could be no compromise on the national security.
Gen Kayani appreciated the successes achieved under trying environment and the sacrifices made in the process. He said that no one could put a price tag on the sacred blood of martyred of the nation.
The men and women of the Pakistan Army are performing their duty to defend Pakistan in accordance with the oath they took, he said, and added that they will continue to do so with the support and prayers of their countrymen, regardless of the cost.
Although few believe the military has the appetite for a coup, speculation has refused to die that President Asif Ali Zardari could be forced out over scandal and illness, which saw him undergo treatment in Dubai this month.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk