ISLAMABAD: President Arif Alvi on Monday rejected his comments on former Army Chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, saying the media “misattributed” him.
In a statement issued by the Presidency, it has been said that Alvi’s misattributed statement regarding the alleged assistance given by former Chief of Army Staff General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa and his team in the Senate. Notice has been taken. Also to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) during elections.
“The statement is quoted out of context and is fabricated and self-inflicted,” he said, but did not say what his actual words were.
President Dr. Arif Alvi has taken notice of the statement wrongly attributed to him about the alleged help extended by the former Chief of Army Staff, General (r) Qamar Javed Bajwa, and his team in the Senate, and their help to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) during the elections. pic.twitter.com/LGTKhBwyYU
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) December 26, 2022
President Alvi’s comments came during a wide-ranging discussion at a dinner with journalists, business community leaders and foreign diplomats.
When the president was asked why and when the relationship between Khan and General (r) Bajwa soured, he deliberately replied that he was still searching for the answer to that question, but it was probably October last year and Then it was April or May this year.
Regarding Khan’s allegations against the former army chief, the president remarked that although the other side said he had become neutral and did not alienate people, he still believed something was going on.
President Alvi added that when journalists were mistreated during the PTI regime, even people like Shireen Mazari had to admit that they had no power.
He further said that there is too much interference in the affairs of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). He said that politicians need maturity to deal with the situation.
Asked if Khan had at any stage thought of sacking General (r) Bajwa, the president replied: “No, I don’t think so, it was a rumour.”
Audio leak
During the conversation, President Alvi expressed deep concern and outrage over the release of audios and videos showing private conversations of political leaders.
The president said he aimed to discuss “audio and video games” with the new army chief. “I wonder why this is happening. It should not continue in any sense of morality,” he said.
President Alvi said he discussed the “neutrality” of the armed forces with the army chief.
The president remarked that if the military has left politics, now is the time for politicians to take over the situation. “You [politicians] should create a situation where you don’t run to them [army],” he said.
