This was stated by the Director General of the Interdepartmental Public Relations Service (ISPR), Major General Babar Iftikhar. on Thursday that the word “conspiracy” was not used in statement after the meeting of National Security Committee last month.
He was answering a reporter’s question after the press conference. on the recent meeting of formation commanders at Headquarters. The journalist asked the position of the army leadership on Imran Khan’s claim of a foreign conspiracy to oust him and whether the NSS supported such a claim.
Key points from the DG ISPR briefing:
- Words Used [in NSC statement] are clear. Is any word used, such as conspiracy, in This is? I think no
- COAS is not seeking an extension and will not accept one
- There was an institutional contribution that he (Imran Khan) should go to Russia
- 3 scenarios discussed [with Imran during political crisis]. Not option from the institution was given
- The army would have the same position [as Imran] but reality that they never asked for military bases
- Malicious propaganda is being carried out run against The army and its leaders using deep forgery technology
“Insofar as military feedback on the meeting of the National Security Council is considered such a position, in that the meeting was fully given, and then a statement was issued… which is clearly says what was done in that meeting.
“Words are used in front of you… as I said… the following words are used clear. Is any word used, such as conspiracy, in This is? I think no.”
General Iftikhar said the protocols of meeting of the National Security Council can be declassified if government decides.
He added that the cipher from the Pakistani ambassador to the United States was also received by the ISI and informed the NSS based on on that cable.
The ISPR CEO explained that demarches were given, not just on conspiracies, but for many reasons. “In this case, it was given for undiplomatic language and equal to a hindrance.
SOP of such a telegram, he continued, was that these ciphers were in domain of Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “This is the top secret documents and there is some turnover depending on which institution they belong to. When institutions receive such cables, FO begins work if there is something on national security in them.”
“The army has no role in politics’
Meanwhile, in answer to the question about the army role in politicsISPR DG showed that former prime minister appealed to the commander-in-chief help find a way out of the political crisis.
“Unfortunately, our political leadership was not ready to talk. Therefore, the Army Commander and ISI Director General went to the PMO and three scenarios were discussed,” he said, recalling that one was that no-confidence motion should keep as it was. Others were that prime minister resign or no-confidence the movement was withdrawn and the meetings were dissolved.
“Not option from the institution was given,” said General Iftikhar.
ISPR CEO dispelled rumors that round on social media on the creation of a meeting of opposition parties. “There is no truth to it,” he said.
“I heard about it… Investigative journalism is gone. forward lot. If anyone has proof, please provide it. forward. There were no such contacts, no deal … For God’s sake, there is nothing like it,” he said, further denying the BBC report. story on army commander meeting with Imran Khan on night of April 9th.
“I said this and that day that any political process run to the army was not role or intervention at any stage.
The ISPR CEO confirmed that “the establishment or the army had best of connections with in governmentand assured that there are no disagreements between the two institutions.
“AT fact I would say COAS is very good personal relationships with Imran Khan and of mutual respect. Everything will remain the same … parties and governments change, but the army answers everyone of them. No released of problems’ he repeated.
COAS extension
Gen Iftikhar also indicated out that there were rumors about the resignation of the army commander. “Let me put an end to this. COAS is not seeking an extension and will not accept one. He is retiring. on time on November 22.
“This is reputational damage without evidence,” he said. added.
General Iftikhar continued that the word “neutral” did not correctly describe the position of the army. He said it in answer to the question. “[The word] apolitical is better. In our constitutional and legal structure there is no of political affiliation or interference should exist.”
He said that there were always demands that the army not role in politics. “Today he is given real the form.”
The ISPR Director General recalled that when COAS last appeared in meeting of the security committee, he told all the political leaders that the army wanted stay away from politics.
“At another meeting in Great Britain, when all the political leaders were present, the army commander repeated that we [army] wanted stay away from politics. We have nothing to do with politics… I think it’s very good decision and it will remain So he added.
Gen Iftikhar also clarified that the courts were free when the question was asked about the opening of the courts on Sunday evening.
“If anything has happened, it is theirs. decision… Pakistan’s livelihood depends on democracy and strengthen its cause by everyone duty.”
Then the ISPR CEO said “absolutely not” of martial law is introduced. So, our external challenges so many that if our army could deal with them alone, it would be success. It’s not fair to blame an institution that always works for security of Pakistan.
USA never asked for bases
When a journalist asked him about army bases, DG ISPR said that ex-prime minister asked about the transfer of US bases in interview. “If a demand like it would be made the army would have the same position as the prime minister.
“But reality that they never asked for bases,” he said, repeating that if they had asked, the army would have taken the same position as the prime minister.
At the same time, commenting on in former Prime Minister’s visit to Russia, General Iftikhar confirmed that the army is on board on this was accepted in confidence. “There was an institutional contribution that he should go. It was in no one’s wildest dreams that they are [Russia] declare war when prime minister was there, which was obviously very embarrassing.”
On the other hand, ISPR DG, in response to the question on Imran Khan’s comments on Pakistan’s nuclear program assets at PTI power show in Peshawar last night, warned everyone to be careful when talking about nuclear assets.
“They are not associated with one political leadership,” he said, adding that Pakistan one of in best there was no system and no such threat to them.
New government and stability
Speaking of current political situation in country, General Iftikhar said the army cannot afford to decide who government have an equal relationship with and what not with. “It’s not a choice, governments elected it’s their job to tell us what to do.”
He also explained that COAS did not attend the swearing-in ceremony for Shehbaz Sharif because he was ill.
The ISPR CEO said the rallies were part of of democracy. “The army made it possible environment to people risking your life. This free atmosphere anyone says what are they want… good or bad… we worked hard and donated a lot for This.
“People come out on roads and express thoughts. There is nothing wrong with this,” he said, assuring that some of stability is returning to the country, but it will take time to maintain it.
“Political stability drives everything. National security on This is.”
Smear campaign
Expression of concern on “malicious propaganda” run against army on social media, CEO of ISPR said that in in digital domain, everything was amplified by external connections and fake technology.
“When we talk about propaganda, it doesn’t so much create problems as it exacerbates them. Whatever political thoughts people yes, they give them out against each other, which spread negativity and thus are blown out from the outside uphe said, adding that the result is a perception that Pakistani youth are not as well informed.
General Iftikhar stressed that need take decisive action to protect society from the consequences of fake news. “Whose job is it to ask? The army is head of institution subordinated to government. If the army head criticized then it’s government work [to take action].”
He added what was the splash in fake news given tech achievements. “There should be laws for This. I think that all interested parties should sit down and try to fix it, otherwise there is no limit,” said the Director General of ISPR. added.
Transition to other security challengesGen Iftikhar said that “new war” announced Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) was “stopped in tracks” and said there is no such thing as “talk” with forbidden group.
Meanwhile, speaking of foreign policy, he praised former national security adviser Moid Yusuf for his work.
He also recalled that the commander-in-chief of the army was criticized for get carried away with foreign policy domain when he gave the application on Russian-Ukrainian crisis.
“Everything he said was not against foreign declared by Pakistan policy. he did not receive out of this paradigm. When negotiations take place on strategic level, political leadership negotiations on on his behalf and military some guidance too times balance things out”GD ISPR” added.
