On Thursday, the country’s top intelligence agency, ISI’s head Lt. Gen. Nadeem Anjum held a press conference along with ISPR Director General, Lt. Gen. Babar Iftikhar. This was the first press conference of its kind in the country’s history as no ISI chief had ever held such a pressor before. In this sense, this press conference is an indication of the fact that Pakistan is currently going through a tough situation, and everyone has to play their role to cope.
In this press conference, the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif and the negative propaganda against the military leadership in its context were discussed, and it was clearly said that the army has completely separated itself from political matters. It was also said that despite attractive offers, Army Chief refused to interfere in political affairs for anyone, that is why he is being targeted now.
It is a bitter truth that the role of the military establishment in the political affairs of the country has always remained, and it has always faced criticism on this basis, but earlier this criticism used to come from the small provinces and their leadership, so it was not taken into account. In 2017, when Nawaz Sharif was removed from the premiership, for the first time, the leadership of Punjab, the largest province of the country, also severely criticized the interference of the military establishment in political affairs, then for the alleged interference in the 2018 election and for bringing the favored party into power.
Seven months ago, when Imran Khan was ousted from power by a no-confidence motion in the National Assembly, he termed it a conspiracy against him and began criticizing the army and its leadership. This criticism intensified with the passage of time. Now it is on its peak, and that is what compelled DG ISI to hold a press conference.
Regardless of the rest, the press conference made it clear that the army would no longer interfere in political affairs and would play its role in the ambit of the country’s constitution. This is good news for the country and the nation, which will have very positive results in the future . The people will get their right in a true sense to elect their rulers, democracy will be leading to political stability.
Now, the politicians should also reform themselves and look to no other power than the people, so that the tradition of stealing public mandates ends forever.
