Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has made it clear that the appointment of the new army chief is solely within the prime minister’s “constitutional discretion” and that there is no need for consultations on this matter.
Shehbaz Sharif, speaking to a group of YouTubers and vloggers in Lahore, expressed his desire to complete this task amicably.
During the conversation, Shehbaz Sharif disclosed that former prime minister Imran Khan had reached out to him via a mutual friend who was a businessman and not a political figure for discussions on two issues: the appointment of the country’s new chief of the army staff and a date for early elections.
He stated that Imran Khan had conveyed that he will propose three names and asked him (Shehbaz Sharif) to also propose three names for the appointment of a new army chief in order to initiate the process and then choose the new army chief from the proposed names.
Shehbaz stated that he categorically rejected Imran Khan’s proposal and offered dialogue for the improvement of democracy and the economy. “I politely declined Imran Khan’s offer by saying ‘Thank you,'” he continued.
Mentioning the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief and military spokesperson’s press conference, the prime minister disclosed that he approved the news conference after the ISI chief requested permission to hold it.
Shehbaz Sharif, delving into the specifics, revealed that the ISI director wished to hold the press conference because he was an eyewitness to the meeting between Imran Khan and General Bajwa.
“He (DG ISI) told me that he should hold a press conference because he was an eyewitness to the meetings between the army chief and Imran Khan, whereas DG ISPR was not present, and that he would speak calmly. Then, he presented the entire matter to the public with an excellent choice of words.”
In addition, the Prime Minister stated that Imran Khan is currently targeting the army leadership to satisfy his own personal desires. “Those who raised Imran Niazi by feeding him milk with their own hands are now the target of his poison.” Nobody is safe from his evil,” he asserted.
In addition, he stated that the frustrated politician was currently targeting those who supported him and that no one was safe from his mischief. “Imran will do whatever it takes to regain the premiership,” he added.
Shehbaz cautioned, however, that the government will protect the federal capital against any “kind of aggression.”
Shehbaz also disclosed that Imran Khan had offered to jointly determine and announce the date for new elections.
He stated, “I turned down both of Imran Khan’s proposals. I instructed the messenger to return to Imran Niazi and inform him that he was initially unqualified to consult with me, so why did he need me now?
When asked whether the Tehreek-e-long Insaf’s march could also go to Rawalpindi, he stated that it could. He stated, “There is no doubt that this individual is capable of anything. There is no impossibility. However, the government will defend Pindi and Islamabad against such attacks.”
He stated, “When the institutions were assisting Imran Khan in every way, we remained silent because we believed they were acting in the best interests of the nation. However, when he failed and they withdrew their support, Imran Khan opposed them.”
