Army Chief General Bajwa will neither seek extension nor accept one: ISPR

Chief of the Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa will neither seek an extension nor will accept any, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

This was disclosed by Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major-General Babar Iftikhar while addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Thursday.

Putting all the rumours to rest that Army Chief’s extension was an issue behind the political stalemate, Babar Iftikhar said “Let me make it absolutely to clear to all of you. Army Chief General Bajwa will neither seek an extension in service nor will accept one. He will retire on November 29, 2002, no matter what.”

No 'option' given 

Babar Iftikhar also declared that the establishment had given no ‘option’ to former prime minister Imran Khan to break the political deadlock in the country.

The DG ISPR said that the former PM Khan had approached COAS to help find a solution to the political crisis. He said the Army Chief and DG ISI went to the Prime Minister's Office and three scenarios were discussed.

He revealed that one option was that the no-confidence motion should be held as it was, while the second was that the prime minister resigns. The third option was that the no-confidence motion is retracted and the assemblies are dissolved, Gen Iftikhar said. He clarified that no option was given by the establishment.

Further speaking about neutrality, the ISPR DG specified that “our constitutional and legal role in the government set up doesn’t allow any political interference or allegiance.”

In the last 74 hours, the only demand that people have made is that the Army doesn’t involve itself in politics, he said, while adding that “the last time COAS appeared before the parliamentary committee on national security, he informed the leadership that the Army wants to distance itself from politics.”
“Any intentional or unintentional effort to create divisions between the Army and people is tantamount to threatening national security,” said the major general.

Army's input on Russia visit

He said the Army was on board regarding Imran Khan’s visit to Russia. "An institutional input was sought on the eve of the Russia visit and we said there was nothing wrong in it. The prime minister should go ahead. But unfortunately, the war broke out same day the prime minister landed there."

NSC meeting minutes

Responding to a question about the Army leadership's stance on Imran Khan's claim of a foreign conspiracy to oust him and whether the NSC had endorsed such a claim, Babar Iftikhar said that the word "conspiracy" was not mention in the statement released after a meeting of the National Security Committee last month regarding the letter.
"As far as military response about the NSC meeting was considered, that stance, in that meeting was fully given, and then a statement was issued ... which clearly says what was concluded in that meeting. The words used are in front of you ... as I said ... the words used are clear. Is there any word such as conspiracy used in it? I think not. We cannot disclose the minutes of the NSC meeting. We gave our input."

Maj-Gen Babar Iftikhar said the minutes of the NSC meeting can be declassified if the government decides.

Don't drag Army into politics

He also asked political parties and the public not to drag the Pakistan Army into politics, adding any effort to create a rift between people and the armed forces is against national interest.

The ISPR DG maintained "The Army has nothing to do with the political process that took place a few days back in the country." He said that the armed forces of the country have "nothing to do with politics". He said that the institution has decided to remain apolitical in the future as well.

The ISPR DG rubbished rumours doing round on social media about the establishment meeting opposition parties. "There is no truth to this," he asserted.
"I heard these things... Investigative journalism has gone forward a lot. If someone has evidence, bring it forward. There were no such contacts, no deal... For Godsake, there is nothing like this," he said.

Malicious campaign

The ISPR DG welcomed constructive criticism, but pointed out that a "malicious campaign" is being run against the Army and its leadership. He said even deep-fake technology was being used for this.

"There is an engineered movement designed against the Pakistan military", he said, adding that character assassination of the military on the basis of rumours was not tolerable under any circumstances.

“The malicious campaign is being run against the Army. Any effort to create a rift between people and the armed forces is against national interest," Gen Babar added.

He continued that even fake audio messages of different retired senior military officials are being created using technology to create a divide between the nation and armed forces.
"This is illegal, unethical and totally against national interest," the military spokesperson said.

BBC report

Responding to a question about the BBC report on events that took place at the Prime Minister’s House on the night of Imran Khan's ouster from power, Maj-Gen Babar said that it was a "false story" and nothing but a pack of lies. 

Fight against terrorism

The ISPR DG said that our national war against terrorism will continue till the elimination of last terrorist. Maj-Gen Babar unveiled that during the first three months of this year 97 Army officers and soldiers were martyred in terrorist attacks. “As many as 128 terrorists were killed and 270 arrested during countrywide operations in last three months,” he added.

No bases for US

Answering a question regarding the United States asking for operational bases within Pakistani territory and former premier Imran Khan's reply of "absolutely not", the military spokesperson clarified that if bases were asked for, the "army would have the same stance".

"And in reality, they did not even ask for bases and there was no mention of it on any level."