News
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Durrani warns nation of US plan to shift war to Pak
* Former minister says politicians should not act as tools of US covert policy to slander armed forces
Staff Report
ISLAMABAD: Former information minister Senator Mohammed Ali Durrani on Friday cautioned the nation against a US plan to shift its war from Afghanistan to Pakistan, saying that Barrack Obama’s recent statement hinted that the US was covertly planning to defame and disrupt the army and create a situation that could lead to anarchy, making way for US forces to enter into Pakistan under the garb of the UN.
“The US is defaming the Pakistan army, which may spark anarchy in the country. It is unfortunate to note that some politicians are also fulfilling the US agenda by attacking the army in wake of the recent happenings. Politicians should not act as tools of the US covert policy to slander the armed forces,” he said.
“Under the constitution, we have to understand that counter-terrorism is not a responsibility of the Defence Ministry and rather it is primarily a responsibility of the Interior Ministry,” the former minister told a press conference, saying that counter-terrorism should be dealt with by police and paramilitary forces and the armed forces should not be held responsible for acts of terrorism. The conference proved to be a rare event when a politician spoke his heart out on the recent political and security situation in the wake of the post Obama operation in Abbottabad.
The senator said that being a Pakistani, it was his duty to convey his perception to others on the upcoming challenges faced by the country so that the political leadership could analyse the situation and chalk-out a counter strategy.
“At a time when the country is facing such an unprecedented situation on its borders and internal fronts, there are some politicians who are damaging the forces by hurling unnecessary criticism or defending it unnecessarily,” Durrani said.
“Is it mandatory for the politicians to sing the same tune against the army, which is being used by the US administration? It is ironic to see how the politicians are adamant in puling the army towards politics, when the army officials themselves want to stay away,” he deplored.
The senator said politicians had been a part of the dictatorial regimes and they should understand that now in the changed scenario, officials of the army wanted to focus on professional matters. “Parliament, judiciary, army and media are national institutions and politicians should not target them, rather they should take steps to defend them and strengthen them.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk