NewsOctober 15, 2018
2018 general election the most transparent: Pak Army
* DG ISPR says democracy only way forward for Pakistan
9 Army has no role in ongoing accountability process
* PML-N government listened to each and every demand of army
* Armed forces committed to providing security to CPECLONDON: Pakistan Army on Saturday said the July 25 general elections were the most transparent and free in the country’s democratic history, with army ensuring that people vote according to their will on the polling day.
“There had been a record turnout in various parts of the country. Voters made their own choice and were not told who to vote for or against,” Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor told Pakistani media at an informal interaction here. “The allegations of rigging had been hurled at the armed forces of the country but no evidence was brought forward,” he said. “If anyone has evidence of rigging, then it should be brought forward,” he remarked.
The ISPR chief said Pakistan Army wants to strengthen democracy in the country, and believes that only democracy is the way forward. “We have provided full support to the democratic institutions and we will work to make sure that democracy continues in Pakistan,” he said, adding the army always stands by institutions, not individuals. He also called upon all the institutions to stand by each other and work together for the development of the country.
When asked about polarisation and political divisions in Pakistan, Major General Ghafoor said no country in the world is free of political differences. “The beauty of democracy is that political differences exist. Pakistan has the same but differences should be ethical and without abuses and attacks. Through the power of vote, first the PML-N governed, then the PTI and in the future, it may be someone else,” he said.
The ISPR chief lamented that it was unfortunate that the army had been dragged in some matters. “Pakistan Army is an organised institution. We have to strengthen all other institutions including the police and bureaucracy,” he said. Citing the example of the United Kingdom, he said that police is more powerful than the army and the same could happen in Pakistan as well. “The army can fight terrorists but this is the job of the police. But our army has been doing the job of the police for many years,” he said.
According to Major General Ghafoor, police and judicial reforms were important and it was the government’s responsibility to bring reforms and introduce legislation. However, he said today’s Pakistan was better than yesterday’s Pakistan, adding, “We are heading towards better circumstances.”
The ISPR chief said Pakistan Army had no role in the ongoing process of accountability in the country as well as the campaign against corruption. “We have our hands full on the eastern and western border; the army is to maintain the security of the country,” he said. “Army has its own stringent mechanism of accountability and it’s the most robust and toughest. It happens at various levels and no one is above accountability,” he said.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk
Back to Pakistanlink Home