PML-N senior leader and Opposition leader in the National Assembly Nisar Ali Khan on Saturday said his party would resist any of the government’s moves that aimed at sending the army chief or the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief packing.
“I warn the government against taking any step against Army Chief General Ashfaq Kayani and ISI chief Lt General Ahmed Shuja Pasha prior to Supreme Court’s decision in memo case,” he said while addressing a press conference. Asked whether he meant that the PML-N would resist any move to sack the army chief and DG ISI, he said, “Yes it is nearer to that…as the ‘memogate’ is currently in the apex court, if the government takes any action in desperation, not only the opposition but the entire nation will strongly stand up against it,” he said, adding that his apprehension over the ISI’s political wing would, however, still remain.
Nisar demanded Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani retract his statement in the NA that questioned the security establishment over the presence of Osama bin Laden in the country, calling the remarks extremely “irresponsible” by a responsible person. He advised Gilani to retract the statement and avoid pointing fingers at defence institutions instead of indirectly implementing the points that had been written in the “memo”.
The opposition leader said the prime minister had repeatedly stated that all institutions, including the army and ISI, were in his control, but his remarks of state within the state were ironic. He said the prime minister had tried to divert attention from his government’s incompetence and malpractices and the remarks were actually a charge sheet that the foreign media and their governments were presenting time and again to malign Pakistan.
“If the opposition or the public raise such questions, it can be justified, but the prime minister taking such swipes for political mileage is shocking,” Nisar said. “What services did the prime minister do to Pakistan by questioning the country’s defence institutions over the presence of Osama bin Laden in the country,” he asked. “Controlling the country’s armed forces and our nuclear assets are long shots … we will not even let any foreign power look at them [military and nuclear arsenal],” he warned. Alleging that a particular agency was pushing politicians towards the PTI, Nisar said Javed Hashmi joining Imran Khan’s party was a sad development. “There can be two opinions even within a family. I am disappointed with the move,” he added. He said politics was not child’s play. “Imran’s revolution is like a bubble … The PML-N is not afraid of anybody quitting the party … those who are leaving the PML-N would have to pay the price for their decision,” he said, adding that he knew Imran Khan from school days, “but some things were unsuitable for revelation”. The opposition leader added that the PML-N wanted polls as early as possible.
Govt can’t penalise Kayani, Pasha: Nisar
