News
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
I am happy with COASGovt not removing Kayani, Pasha: PM
* Gilani says only some opportunists are presenting this ‘absurd’ theory to nation
* Says his remarks of ‘state within state’ pertained to attitude of defence secretary
By Tanveer Ahmed
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani, who railed against the military establishment just a few days ago, softened his stance when he brushed aside all the speculations that civilian and military leadership is on a warpath as well as rebuffing the speculations that the government has any plan to sack the top military leadership.
Talking to the electronic media in Islamabad on Monday, Gilani brushed aside all the speculations of any confrontation between the government and military.
The prime minister said that all the national institutions were working under the government’s ambit and rejected as “absurd” the impression and rumours that the government had any intention to remove the chief of army staff or ISI director general.
“We have no plan to sack Gen Kayani and Gen Pasha,” the prime minister contended in response to queries about the speculation-based reports circulating in the media.
He, in fact, went a step forward when he categorically stated that he was satisfied with the performances of both military leaders and remarked that generals were not sacked in a state of war,” the prime minister mentioned in veiled reference to the state of war the country is in presently due to onslaught of militancy and extremism in the country.
He attributed such rumours to those ‘opportunists’ who were seeking their own political goals.
Clarifying his statement that gave a stern warning to the military to remain within the ambit of the constitution, Gilani said the statement was meant towards Defence Secretary Khalid Naeem Lodhi and not the army chief or the ISI director general during his speech in the National Assembly when he talked about “state within state.”
“There is no clash between the government and the military,” he added.
Gilani reiterated that parliament would complete its constitutional term regardless of him being the prime minister.
He suggested that the opponents must adopt a constitutional way to oust him from the rule. “I am not a stubborn child,” he added.
He said that he didn’t see any threat from the opposition and again called for continuation of democratic process, for which he said even Nawaz Sharif was committed. The prime minister said that it was on his request that Gen Kayani and Lt Gen Pasha were given extension. “I am happy with him,” Gilani remarked with reference to Gen Kayani.
“That was on my request,” he said, adding that they did not seek extension. “Gen Kayani is pro-democracy,” he further remarked.
The prime minister said that addressing the National Assembly and Senate was his prerogative.
To a question, the prime minister said after the attack of NATO forces, meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet was called, political and civil leadership assembled and decisions pertaining to the national security were taken. NATO supply was halted, Shamsi airbase was vacated, Bonn conference was boycotted and “we showed solidarity with the 24 brave martyred soldiers and military,” he added.
The prime minister said, at the meeting of the DCC, it was decided that the matter should be referred to the Parliamentary Committee on National Security that will prepare recommendations to be put before the joint sitting of parliament, so it can decide new terms of engagement with United States, NATO and ISAF.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk