‘Baseless rumors’ concerning martial law is squelched by the military.
ISPR: Army is united under COAS’s leadership
ISLAMABAD:
On Friday, rumors that martial law might be declared in the country were dismissed as “baseless hearsay” by Major General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, director general of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The military spokesperson also denied reports that numerous officers had quit in an interview with a private television network. The army, he said, was solidly behind Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.
Major General Chaudhry has stated categorically that “martial law is not an option.” The army’s top brass, including General Asim Munir, “wholeheartedly support democracy and will continue to do so,” he said.
Despite internal and external propaganda, “the army was, is, and will remain united” under Gen. Munir’s leadership, the director general of the ISPR emphasized. Saying that “the dream of dividing it will remain a dream,” he meant it.
Major General Chaudhry indicated unequivocally that there had been no resignations or defiance of instructions inside the military. He reaffirmed that the army’s top brass supports democratic rule.
The country is experiencing significant polarization with political, economic, and constitutional challenges, and the army spokesperson’s speech has come at a bad moment.
Meanwhile, discussions of declaring a state of emergency have revived among rumors of martial law, raising fresh concerns among many sectors of society that the administration may be contemplating the option in an effort to regain control of the situation.
But Federal Minister for Information Marriyum Aurangzeb shot down the emergency rumors before they could spread. “The reports circulating in the media regarding the imposition of emergency in the country are baseless,” she emphasized.
The minister said in a statement, “No such decision was taken in the federal cabinet meeting.” She demanded that journalists check their sources before reporting the news.
The information minister’s statement that “no decision regarding the imposition of emergency was taken in the cabinet meeting” was disputed by some observers who noted that her statement did not rule out the possibility that the cabinet had addressed the issue.
Sources later disclosed that the cabinet had considered declaring a state of emergency, despite opposition from certain members. The ministers were also against the idea of cutting off mobile data after May 9 demonstrations.
The emergency conversation is consistent with the words of various government ministers who had suggested that the option may be examined keeping in mind the domestic situation, as the army was recently called in to aid the civil administration.
After protesters attacked, ransacked, and set fire to various government buildings following Imran Khan’s detention, the authorities in Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Islamabad called for military assistance in preserving law and order.
The president can proclaim a state of emergency under article 232 of the Constitution if the country is threatened by war, external attack, or an internal crisis that no provincial government can handle, according to political commentators.
They argued it was difficult to meet the requirements of Article 232 (proclamation of emergency due to war, internal disturbance, etc.), which deals with governor’s rule.
According to Article 232(1), “if the President is satisfied that a grave emergency exists in which the security of Pakistan, or any part thereof, is threatened by war or external aggression, or by internal disturbance beyond the power of a Provincial Government to control, he may issue a Proclamation of Emergency.”
To this, the following is added: “Provided that for imposition of emergency due to internal disturbances beyond the powers of a Provincial Government to control, a resolution from the Provincial Assembly of that Province shall be required.”
As the text continues, “Provided further that if the President acts on his own, the Proclamation of Emergency shall be placed before both Houses of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) for approval by each House within ten days.”
Although the military and government spokespeople have denied reports of martial law or an emergency, the situation in the country has remained tight. In 2007, during the rule of former military dictator Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan was placed under a state of emergency.
From November 3 until December 15, numerous justices, including the then chief justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, were jailed, and the Constitution remained suspended.
