Military’s media spokesperson Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa has once again clarified that the army is neither involved in politics nor it is siding with any stakeholder in the current political standoff.
“It has been our standpoint since day one that it is a political crisis which should be resolved through political means,” Inter-Service Public Relations’ (ISPR) chief said while talking to BBC Urdu on Monday.
He said the army could not afford to side with any particular group as the army is for the whole nation. “We have neither supported any party in the past nor will do in the future,” he added.
Talking with reference to operation Zarb-e-Azb, he said the ongoing military offensive in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) had dealt a heavy blow to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
However, he said, the TTP leadership, including its chief Mullah Fazulluh and shura members, had managed to flee to Afghanistan before the start of the offensive and are hiding now in Afghan province of Kunar. Pakistan has repeatedly requested Afghan government to hand over the TTP leadership, he added.
“The impression that Taliban are resurfacing is wrong,” he said, adding that the outfit was dispersed and was making sporadic attempts as its ability to plan and carry out coordinated attacks in different parts of the country had been eliminated through operation Zarb-e-Azb.
He claimed that the operation was successfully advancing towards its objective. However, he refused to give time frame regarding the completion of the operation, which began on June 15 after efforts to strike peace deal with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates failed.
Meanwhile, the army’s gunships killed another 15 suspected terrorists while targeting their hideouts in the NWA on Monday.
According to the ISPR’s statement, army combat helicopters in precise strikes destroyed ten explosive laden vehicles and five hideouts in Tabai area of the restive tribal agency. “Fifteen terrorists were killed in the strikes,” said the military’s media wing.
The military in recent weeks stepped up its offensive against militants in North Waziristan. A senior military official told The Express Tribune that security forces took control of major towns and cleared them of terrorists.
ISAF chief meets General Raheel Sharif
The newly appointed commander of US-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) General John Campbell visited the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi and held talks with Army Chief General Raheel.
This was his first visit to the General Headquarters after assumption of command of the ISAF.
“During the meeting, matters of mutual interest were discussed that included progress of ongoing Operation Zarb-e-Azb, latest situation in Afghanistan and coordination along Pak-Afghan Border,” said the ISPR statement.
Sources familiar with the meeting said both commanders also discussed recent announcement by a key faction of the TTP to give up violence in Pakistan and focus their activities on neighbouring Afghanistan.
It is believed that both Washington and Kabul are increasingly concerned about the development fearing that the move by Punjabi Taliban led by Asmatullah Muawaya may embolden insurgents in Afghanistan to target foreign troops.
Pakistani, however, assured them that it would not allow its soil to be used against any country including Afghanistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 16th, 2014.
COMMENTS (17)
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Only rogue armies do not follow the orders of the Supreme Commander.
"political-standoff-military-says-it-sides-with-no-one" Highly respected sir would you like to explain that what about the PILDAT survey last month in which 1-73% people trusted army, 2-52% people disliked Nawaz Sharif and his government and 3-46% people liked Nawaz Sharif and his government. By keeping the PILDAT's survey if you remember in corps commanders conference last month ISPR issued this statement that army will side the people and majority of the people have trusted army and disliked Nawaz Sharif and his government.Please fulfill your commitment and promise you made with the nation in last month's corps commanders conference for siding the nation......
Shame on those calling our only one reputable institution "Army" as the script writers for the Dharna,
Proves that IK only umpire is the people of Pakistan Chanting Go Nawaz Go.
Last night Multan people forced the PM NS to run, when there voices found the ryhtme to Go Nawaz Go.
Bless IK for spreading the fire in our hearts and forcing us to wake up and stand up against these looeters.
In Other words, Army is not with government. Why do pakistanis have a Army ?
Army is under civilian govt's command. They cannot be neutral. It is its purported "neutrality" and refusal to deal with the miscreants that is causing so much grief to the country. Remember how Mussolini came to power? It is THAT kind of a revolution.
one General gets caught of corruption and Military is out of barracks to safeguard its "PRIDE" but otherwise it is neutral...... that is as long as it has its masters protected for whatever they are doing
Spot on by the Army! They should not support anyone, especially not the government as they well know how corrupt the current government is.
They should intervene and take over if bloodshed erupts.
He supports NS. I have been sitting in islamabad (although i sleep in my luxrious home) for many days but 'THEY' haven't helped me(except for one day one 'THEY' called me and i ran to them at mid night).
How they can issue such statements, is not Army a part of the Government it can happen in Pakistan only, will they obey the Prime Minster.
Why Army isolate themselves from present political unrest. What I am suggesting, Army & Supreme Court must play their role to settle the present crises of the country. SC at first take in confidence the Army and, thereafter, take Sou Moto action against the sit-ins. SC in presence of Army randomly re-count the votes of few constituency and decide the matter within a stipulated period. Till the SC investigation with coordination of Army, Darnaes be sitting in D-Chowk and Nawaz also serve as PM.
Mr Spokesman, there is 56 years of torturous history which makes us skeptical of what you say. For more than half century the only thing military has done is to seek more and more political power (which in Pakistan also means more and more wealth). How can we believe that suddenly you have lost your sole ambition?
Every General is not General Musharraf. I am sure if he had been at that time when shelling started on the Azadi and Inqilab March, he must had taken over.
Sir, with due respect, why there was a need of clarification statement from ISPR and do you think the nation will accept it keeping in view the history?
Let them stay in the containers many more weeks . They want bloodshed just to gain sympathy of the public . Keep vigil on their movements and support comming from out side .Start crackdown from there slowly . Keep army away from these ooeration . Prolong the issue if possible peacefully . The march don't have a mass support , It will get collapse on it's own . Make a list of supporters and find out their connections for future use .
The army should not be neutral but uphold the constitution and all institutions. By being neutral it is not performing its duties. There should not be any question of political solution but only constitutional solution.
This statement may have been said in good faith but certainly lacks institutional maturity.It should have read that-Army stands behind the government of time in all it's sincerity and is determined to foil every conspiracy against government viz a viz democracy. ISPR needs to have some good professionals to convey the message with clarity.
Shame on the military for giving such a statement that they cannot pick sides. They are under the civilian govt and should remain there rather than acting as a separate party/entity.