DIRECTOR General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry Friday rejected rumours about the imposition of martial law in the country and said the entire military leadership supports democracy. He maintained, “Despite efforts by internal miscreants and external enemies, the army is united and would remain so under the leadership of General Asim Munir. Dream to cause division in the army would remain a dream. Anyone neither disobeyed nor resigned.”
The rumours about possible imposition of Martial Law and division among the ranks of the Pakistan Army were necessarily part of the disinformation campaign launched by vested interests to further their nefarious designs. There were no doubts in the minds of the neutral citizens about the impartiality of the Pakistan Army which had taken a unanimous decision to remain apolitical. The Army leadership, especially COAS General Asim Munir and DG, ISI Lt. General Nadeem Anjum deserves appreciation for exercising utmost restraint despite extreme provocative acts by vested interests. It is known to all that wild and baseless allegations were levelled against the leadership and the institution and Army buildings were shamelessly attacked during protest demonstrations but the Army did not respond in kind despite its ability to do so. The way the Army and its leadership were targeted and its buildings attacked evoked condemnation from the entire nation as the Pakistan Army always rendered great sacrifices for the cause of the country both during war and peace. It is unfortunate that those behind such dastardly acts are not mindful of the nature of the crime they committed against a national institution which is a guarantee of national sovereignty. In an interview to BBC, Imran Khan went to the extent of blaming the Army Chief for his ‘abduction’ whereas he was arrested following issuance of warrants by NAB after he failed to respond to repeated notices for appearance in the case. The tendency to drag institutions in politics would harm both short and long term interests of the country.
