PM backtracks in bid to mend fences

By
Hussain
-
31
219

It’s time to mend fences. In a bid to ease tensions with the military leadership, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Wednesday retracted his statement about Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General (DG) Lt General Ahmad Shuja Pasha, saying he wanted to dispel the impression that the two generals had submitted their replies to the Supreme Court in violation of rules of business and the constitution.
He told reporters at Chaklala Air Base before leaving for Davos, Switzeland to attend the World Economic Forum that his statements regarding the rejoinders of General Kayani and Lt Gen Pasha were relevant in a certain situation. Gilani’s statement came a day after a meeting with the COAS and the ISI DG. He said there were a lot of events taking place and there was overlapping by a lot of government functionaries on many issues. “My statement was in that context,” said the prime minister, adding that later when he found that some of the discrepancies had been made by certain functionaries, he took action against them.
“I am dispelling the remarks given at that occasion; they were under a unique situation when things were overlapping and there was no clarity. But since there is clarity and now we have all met and [the statement] does not pertain to these two gentlemen (The COAS and the ISI DG),” he said. Replying to another question about relations between the institutions, the prime minister said: “The country cannot work in an atmosphere of confrontation among the institutions. Therefore for the national interest, we have to be on the same page.”
This is not the first time that Gilani has withdrawn his words. On December 16, a day after the COAS and the ISI DG’s responses were submitted to the apex court in the memo case, General Kayani had held a meeting with Prime Minister Gilani. An official statement issued by PM’s House after the meeting had said: “The Prime Minister and the Army Chief also agreed that replies forwarded by the COAS and DG ISI were in response to the notice of the Honourable Court, through proper channel and in accordance with the rules of business and should not be misconstrued as a standoff between the Army and the government.” However, a week later on December 22, Gilani made two emotional speeches in a day, claiming that conspirators were plotting to bring down the democratic government. He also said that a “state within a state” would not be allowed. He claimed that rules of business had been violated when the army chief and ISI DG sent their replies to the court and the government had been bypassed in this regard.
However, the following day, the army chief rubbished the allegations and said in an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement that the army would support the democratic process in the country. However, after a short lull, Gilani once again hit back at Kayani by telling a Chinese online daily on January 9 that General Kayani and Lt General Pasha had violated the rules of business while submitting their responses to the Supreme Court in the memo case without the approval of the competent authority. The significance of the premier’s statement was that General Kayani was on an official visit to China by the time the contents of the interview were officially released by the government.
General Kayani kept his cool and an ISPR rejoinder again made a categorical statement that the COAS and ISI DG, in their response to the apex court, were obliged to state facts as known to them on the memo issue following prescribed rules. “Allegiance to State and the Constitution is and will always remain prime consideration for the Respondent, who in this case has followed the book,” added the ISPR statement. General Kayani later held a detailed meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari and a foreign media outlet had claimed that during the meeting, General Kayani had demanded a statement by the government to dispel the impression created by Gilani. This statement by the prime minister seems a desperate bid to clear that impression, as demanded by the army.

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31 COMMENTS

  7. Mr Prime Minister :
    1) The Army Chief & DG ISI continue to meddle in politics which is a clear violation of their Oaths under the Constitution. You must fight for civilian supremacy, otherwise, they will continue with their conspiracies from time to time.
    2) They have now agreed to American dictates vis a vis drone attacks and supply routes for whatever personal gains they may have extracted from them. They will make you give ownership to their policies. Public will criticise you. They will use the same public pressure to achieve their targets. By all accounts, civilian leadership will be the loser.
    3) The only way civilian supremacy can be established is for all political forces to unite on one point agenda : Oust Army from politics. Otherwise, as a nation, we are doomed.

      • I have been reading this man's comments for the last few months. I will not use the words that you have used for him but I am equally unsure if there were any better or different in existence to describe him. He is an utter disappointment.

    • Mr Shahid Malik.. Your comments speak of the same attitude that is in the bones oof our corrupt politicians. I guess what you want is that you should be seated next to the PM and President in order to ensure that Army or ISI is not meddling in Politics. Secondly do you have any proof that they have now agreed to American dictates. Is it not the responsibility of the civilian government. If the civilian government is not sold out then they should simply order the Cheif to take out any drones that violate Pakistani airspace and if the Cheif doesnt comply, he can be removed. But i guess it is the govt who has made the deal. I am amazed at your level of "sanity". It seems you have your eyes and ears closed and are just ranting about whatever is going on in your teenie weenie brain.. You say "Oust Army from Politics otherwise as a nation we are doomed" I say "This nation is doomed because it has silly people like you at all tiers"

    • just i think u should b clear about. its the ISI that our country is saved, they are protecting the country from external powers which have purchased many politician..

      • Difference of opinion is okay. Foul language is not an argument. It only reflects one's education and brought up. I feel sorry for those who use foul language. I can only hope and pray that they develop the habit of decent debate.

  12. With due regards to one's right of his/her opinion, Mr. Shahid Malik's comments are out of context looking at the subject matter. He is expecting this clown and utterly disgraceful person who, to our collective misfortune is the country's PM, to "fight for civilian supremacy'.

    • Mr/Ms Yaqoobaaziz :
      Personally, Gilani does not impress me. The issue is how did he become Prime Minister. Unanimously elected by National Assembly elected by us. The best way forward is to elect better Parliamentarians when next elections are held. But we must support the principle of civilian supremacy as enshrined in our Constitution. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of we, the people of Pakistan, to elect our leaders. So, responsibility rests on our shoulders. It is useless to discharge our responsibility wrongly and then put blame on others. There is still some time before next elections are held. We should use this time for decent educated debate and introspection.

  15. Yousaf Raza Gilani's name should be included in Guinness world records for making a record of taking back his statements and malfoozat. Surely he deserves a name in this world renowned famous book. No one is like you Mr. Prime Minister. You are a politician of "vakharry" type.
    Amjad Husain
    Riyadh-Saudi Arabia

  16. Mr PM please stick to your guns for one time atleast. Mr PM you are exhibiting cowardice. Not good for your image Mr Prime Minister.

  18. To err is human To forgive is divine. Mr Gilani you have eaten the humble pie.You are forgiven. As a doctor i have always maintained you look burnt out. I don,t know whether you can ski or not but do take a break and relax in Davos . Others in Pakistan find medical causes for rest and recreation but you need one. Unesiness lies on the head that wears the crown. You have bigger battles ahead. Think before you speak.In medical language we call it consequent analysis

  20. Our Politicians have too much direct contact with foreigners. In fact they seem to more accessible to them than to their people. Foreign functionaries should come through the foreign ministry. Foreign functionaries are seen at funerals and weddings of our rented politicians. This is unacceptable and must be cleared by some ministry. At least that is the acceptable protocol.

  21. Gilani should think before he allows his mouth to open. A small brain with a big mouth is as dangerous as a loaded gun in the hand of an idiot.

  22. Theoretically, the ISI chief is answerable to the prime minister. Why he did not see fit to report to the chief executive before running off to meet a man of dubious credentials is something that the ISI chief must answer. When we expect the civilian government to function within its constitutional parameters, the same principle also applies to all other state institutions. The army chief and the ISI chief are subservient to the executive under Pakistan’s constitution. Unless they think themselves to be above every rule and law, the ISI chief’s breach of protocol is unjustified. In his address to the officers of the Staff College Quetta on June 14, 1948, Mr Jinnah said: “During my talks with one or two very high-ranking officers I discovered that they did not know the implications of the oath taken by the troops of Pakistan…I would like to take the opportunity of refreshing your memory…any command or orders that may come to you cannot come without the sanction of the executive head…” Today, the executive head is the prime minister as per our constitution. Thus, it is important that all institutions should work within their parameters and remember their oath and responsibilities.

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