Major General Ahmed Sharif, the Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), categorically dismissed any possibility of martial law being imposed in Pakistan, and reassured the public that the army stands united under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.
Addressing recent rumours surrounding resignations within the army, Pakistan's top military spokesperson denied any such actions, labelling them as baseless and without merit.
Speaking to a private TV channel, he underscored that, despite both internal and external propaganda attempts, the army remains united and committed to its mission.
The DG ISPR affirmed that the military leadership, including the army chief, is fully dedicated to upholding democratic principles in the country. He stressed that the army's unity is unwavering and will persist, serving as a pillar of stability and security for the nation.
Major General Ahmed Sharif further highlighted that the army will continue to counter any false narratives or attempts to disrupt the unity within its ranks. He called upon the public and media to rely on verified information from official sources rather than giving credence to unfounded speculations.
The DG ISPR's statements come in response to recent rumours circulating on social media about a possible martial law being imposed in the country.
Following the arrest of former prime minister Imran Khan by Rangers on Tuesday, there were also rumours circulating about potential resignations within the armed forces.
However, all such reports have been put to rest with the chief military spokesperson’s statement.
The remarks come a day after the top court came to Imran Khan's rescue as it declared his arrest by the country's top graft-buster from the premises of the IHC illegal and directed immediate release of the PTI chief.
Dozens of troops of paramilitary Rangers on Tuesday broke into an office of the IHC and whisked Imran Khan away in an armoured vehicle in a whirlwind raid while executing the arrest warrant issued against the former premier by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in the Al-Qadir Trust case.
The PTI on Wednesday approached the Supreme Court against Imran’s arrest as violent protests erupted across the country after the development — protests that involved attacks on security personnel and arson of military and civil properties.
In a three-page written order, the apex court bench noted that the manner of execution of the arrest warrant – issued by the NAB chairman on May 1 in the Al-Qadir Trust case – within the premises of the Islamabad High Court against the petitioner was invalid and unlawful.
Khan, 70, is a cricket hero-turned-politician who was ousted as prime minister in April 2022 in a parliamentary no-confidence vote and who is Pakistan's most popular leader, according to opinion polls.
PTI supporters have stormed military establishments, set ablaze a state broadcaster building, smashed buses, ransacked a top army official's house, and attacked other assets, leading to nearly 2,000 arrests and the army being deployed for help.
At least eight people have been killed in the violence that has worsened the country's instability and doused hopes of resumption of a crucial International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout, according to Reuters.
The army, which remains Pakistan's most powerful institution, having ruled it directly for close to half its 75-year history through three coups, has warned against further attacks on its assets and has called the violence "pre-planned".
Express Tribune
