Will not allow chaos, Pak army warns protesters

Islamabad, November 2

The Pakistan army on Saturday warned that no one would be allowed to create instability and chaos in the country, a day after the incalcitrant cleric and politician Maulana Fazlur Rehman set a two-day deadline for Prime Minister Imran Khan to step down.

The hardline cleric addressed a massive protest rally, dubbed “Azadi March”, held here on Friday.

“Maulana Fazlur Rehman is a senior politician. He should clarify which institution he is talking about. Pakistan’s armed forces are an impartial state institution which always supports democratically elected governments,” Pakistan army spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor said in response to Rehman’s remarks.

“Nobody would be allowed to create instability as the country cannot afford chaos,” he warned. Ghafoor said the army was neutral and supported democratically elected governments in accordance with the Constitution.

He also defended the army’s deployment during the 2018 general elections, saying it fulfilled the constitutional responsibility in the polls.

“If the opposition has any reservations (about the results), it can approach the relevant forums instead of levelling allegations on the streets,” he added.

Ghafoor said in democracies issues should be resolved democratically and appreciated the contact between the protesters and government.

Reacting to Ghafoor’s remarks, Rehman told the media after meeting with the opposition leaders that the military spokesman should avoid giving such statements which violate the neutrality of the army. “This statement should have come from some politicians and not from the army,” he said. — PTI

Don’t underestimate Imran govt: Minister

Islamabad: Pakistan’s science and technology minister Fawad Chaudhry here on Saturday cautioned the opposition against considering the Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party government weak. Taking to social media, Chaudhry said the government was exercising restraint over the Azadi march. “Don’t underestimate the PTI government. We are exercising restraint because Imran Khan has desired so,” he wrote. IANS