Pakistan: Maryam lambasts Imran Khan for trying to kick up row over next army chief’s appointment
After spy chief's media briefing, Imran no longer stakeholder in politics, she says
ISLAMABAD: Maryam Nawaz, Vice-President of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, has accused former Prime Minister and Chairman of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan of using pressure tactics to generate controversy over a serious and sensitive matter of the appointment of new army chief of the country.
By making controversial such an important appointment, Imran is doing no service to the country, said Maryam while addressing a press conference at her father’s London office.
Maryam’s remarks have come at a time when political temperature is high in Pakistan as Imran Khan is leading a large number of his party workers towards Islamabad under the banner of Haqeeqi Azadi March (Real Freedom March) to “rid the country of thieves and plunderers of national wealth.”
While denouncing Imran Khan’s march Maryam said Imran Khan is desperate to stop the government from appointing the new army chief and for this purpose he is bent upon even maligning the national institutions.
Imran Khan is trying to mount pressure on the institutions through “bullying,” she said, adding this time he would not get any support from the establishment which used to “change his nappies” in the past.
Democratic credentials questioned
Maryam welcomes the establishment’s neutral role and hoped it would be a permanent one.
She questioned the PTI chairman’s democratic credentials and alleged that he told so many lies during the long march that DG of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had to address a news conference to dismiss his allegations and this (ISI chief’s press conference) is unprecedented in Pakistan’s history.
After the DG ISI’s press conference, Imran Khan stands exposed and is no longer relevant in the Pakistani politics.
Imran Khan, she said did not even know the ABCs of politics and his political ideology is flawed.
This is first time, Maryam Nawaz held a press conference and spoke on political matters since her departure for London in October.
She also referred to Imran Khan’s offer as revealed by the incumbent ISI chief that he was even ready to give “unlimited extension” in the army chief’s tenure provided he saved his government and said this showed his frustration level.
About Army Chief’s appointment, she said it was the prerogative of Prime Minister to pick one of the four or five senior-most generals for the coveted post and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif would make a decision before November 29 the date of the retirement of the incumbent army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
About Nawaz Sharif’s return she said he would definitely go to Pakistan and the day was not far.
“Today, Imran Khan is bragging about winning the by-elections, but one should keep in mind he is winning from the constituencies which he himself vacated,” said she and dared Khan to wait for Nawaz Sharif’s return.