Imran’s statement is rejected by ISPR as “inappropriate and uncalled for.” Army’s media branch claims that it will always defend its leaders and soldiers out of “jealousy.”
A senior army officer has been the target of “allegations” made by the “PTI chairman” that are “completely inappropriate and uncalled for,” according to the Pakistan Army, which described them as “baseless and irresponsible” hours after the former prime minister addressed the country.
According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations, “Pakistan army prides itself on being an extremely professional and well-disciplined organization with a robust and highly effective internal accountability system applicable across the board for unlawful acts, if any, committed by uniformed personnel” (ISPR).
However, it went on to say that the institution “would jealously preserve its officers and troops no matter what” if the honor, safety, or reputation of its rank and file were to be harmed by vested interests through baseless accusations.
“The erroneous accusations made against the institution and its representatives today are deeply unfortunate and strongly denounced. Nobody shall be given the freedom to disparage the institution or its soldiers.”
The military stated that, in light of this, the Pakistani government has been asked to look into the situation and take legal action against anyone who has disparaged the institution and its officials or made false charges against them without any supporting documentation.
The PTI leader had earlier made his first address to the country following his narrow escape from an assassination attempt on Thursday during the party’s long march in Wazirabad, Punjab.
Read Imran urges fans to continue demonstrations till the resignation of the three alleged attackers
Imran had urged his party members and supporters to keep protesting the attempted assassination of him until the three “accused”—the interior minister, the prime minister, and an army officer—resigned from their positions.
The three senior officials must resign, according to Imran, in order to ensure an unbiased and fair investigation since “all agencies are under their authority.”
Additionally, he requested that the army chief ordered the senior military official, who he claimed was complicit in the attempted assassination, to resign.
Imran said that the same military official was behind the torture of PTI leaders Shahbaz Gill and Azam Swati and said, “This general is pushing Pakistan towards ruin.”
According to Imran, the army chief must act against the “black sheep to prevent the country from disintegrating.”
He claimed that the largest political party in the nation was being pushed to the breaking point and that assassination attempts were being attempted.
“Unlike with the East Pakistan episode, we haven’t learned anything from the past. When I left for the long march, I knew they would try to kill me, he added.
Imran claimed that the conspirators chose to kill him because they were concerned about his long march and that he had previously been informed of the scheme by government authorities.
Also, see PTI holds nationwide demonstrations against Imran Khan’s assassination attempt
The choice to overthrow his government was rejected by the majority of the population this time [in April], which surprised the establishment, he claimed.
Imran claimed that the establishment is ignorant of the actual situation. “They [the elite] are determined on implementing their decision even though they know that the people are not ready to accept this imported administration.”
The PTI leader claimed that during the party’s most recent long march, his employees and supporters were tortured and threatened since the establishment had expected the party to “vanish” using such methods.
“Four people decided to kill me behind my back, and I notified the country about it beforehand. I had made a video naming all four [conspirators] for that reason.
Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Sanaullah, and a military official, according to Imran, were behind his assassination plot.
Imran questioned COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa, “Would you permit this military official to be investigated in this case?” In order to preserve the institution’s honor, he also requested that the army chief take action against the senior army official.
