KARACHI: President Dr. Arif Alvi revealed on Monday that former Army Chief General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa and his team helped Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan during the Senate and elections as well.
The president’s remarks came during a wide-ranging conversation with journalists, business community leaders and foreign diplomats at a dinner on Saturday, JEE News reported.
When President Alvi was asked why and when relations between Khan and General (r) Bajwa soured, he deliberately replied that he was still looking for the answer, but it was probably October last year and Then it was April or May this year.
In response to a question about Khan’s allegations against the former army chief, the president remarked that although the other side said he had become neutral and had not alienated people, he believed that Something is going away.
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. The president added that there is too much interference in the affairs of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB). He said that the maturity of politicians is required to be compatible 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 audio and videos revealing the 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. He shared a funny incident in the 1990s when he was part of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) when party candidates had to answer a question about whether they drank alcohol before submitting their nomination papers. Was it or not?
He recalled how one candidate agreed that he drank alcohol and another said he had quit only two days ago. “I tell all my friends who wear uniform, just to tell them if you quit politics – you quit yesterday,” he said, adding that he Everyone laughs.
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.
Role of Judiciary
Dr. Alvi said that the country is facing a difficult time. He said that we should let go of the past and forgive people’s mistakes for a new beginning.
“Let’s build the country we deserve.” He said that the institutions did not play their role, even the judiciary. The President said that the courts have given decisions allowing a dictator to change the constitution. He referred to the Rekodic case in which Pakistan had to pay a fine of 7 billion dollars.
If you criticize the judiciary, it will reduce the effectiveness of the entire judiciary. “If you criticize the military, it brings them into disrepute and you don’t want them to be in disrepute,” the president said. However, he added that this rule was often extended and applied in all situations, so that no one could say anything against them.
The President also remarked that it is very easy to send someone to jail in the country. He said that if a particular person was targeted, any charge could be brought against that person and the relevant law to ensure that he is behind bars.
middle ground
Regarding the political crisis in the country, he said that Imran Khan understands that his opponents want a second National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO), but when these opponents were asked about it, they said to withdraw the cases against him. Denied. However, he added that the current federal government has indeed sought cases against its leaders that can be withdrawn.
Responding to a question regarding the next elections, the President said that he had verbally advised both the government and the opposition to find a middle ground and hold the elections in late April or May. He further said that the date of the next elections has not been fixed and Khan Sahib should be worried about whether the elections will be held in October next year as well.
Regarding polarization in Pakistan, he said that the Pakistani nation has learned from the situation in Afghanistan that it should not be polarized and it took almost 30 years for the nation to understand this. He further said that at present India is facing polarization.
‘good answer’
Talking about India’s response to Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Dr. Alvi remarked that the Foreign Minister did the right thing. He said that the world and the global system are based on personal interests. He said that Bilawal gave a good answer.
The President calmly and gracefully handled several tough questions about former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his polarizing politics. Several leaders of the business community expressed concern over the default situation facing the country. They agreed that reforms and revival of the economy should be the primary objective. To this extent and for this reason, he was even ready to advocate a “forgive and forget” policy to start afresh for the benefit of the country.
