'Don't hold meetings at night behind closed doors and then target the army': DG ISI to Imran Khan

[MenInG]

In an explosive and unexpected press conference, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum joined Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) DG Major General Babar Iftikhar to speak about journalist Arshad Sharif's killing and former premier Imran Khan's confrontational narrative against the military, as well as a host of other related topics.

This is the first time in Pakistan's history that the head of the country's spy agency has directly addressed the media.

At the outset of the press conference, Gen Iftikhar said the purpose of today's media talk was to shed light on the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya and the circumstances surrounding it.

This press conference is being held in the context of presenting facts so that "facts, fiction and opinion can be differentiated", he said, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been "specially informed" about the sensitivity of the press conference.


Key points from joint presser

Facts behind the cypher and Sharif's death have to be determined
ARY News played the role of a spin doctor in targeting the army; CEO Salman Iqbal should be brought back to Pakistan
KP govt in August issued a letter stating TTP splinter group was looking to target Sharif
No one forced Arshad Sharif to leave Dubai
COAS presented 'lucrative offer" for extension in March
Besides, it is necessary to determine the factors due to which a particular narrative is being built and people are being misled, he said.

"Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa was also targeted and faced criticism. An attempt was made to create a divide in society."

He said that Sharif's death was an "unfortunate incident" and called him an "icon of journalism in Pakistan". He noted that members of the late journalist's family had served in the army, adding that he always felt the pain of martyred officers.

Cypher
Gen Iftikhar went on to say that Sharif's popularity was based on being an investigative journalist and when the cypher — which PTI chief Imran Khan has touted as evidence of a foreign conspiracy to oust his government — surfaced, he conducted several programmes on the issue.

He held several meetings with the former premier and interviewed him, the DG ISPR said. "As a result, it was stated that he was shown meeting minutes and the cypher."

The facts behind the cypher and Sharif's death have to be determined, he said.

Talking about the cypher, Gen Iftikhar said that the army chief had discussed it with Imran on March 11 when the latter had termed it to be "not a big thing".

"It was surprising for us when on March 27 a piece of paper was waved and an attempt was made to build a narrative that was far from reality."

He said that several facts had come to light regarding the cypher revealing the "baseless and unfounded" narrative surrounding it. The ISPR informed the National Security Committee that no proof was found regarding the conspiracy against the PTI government, he said, adding that the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) also did not find any evidence regarding the conspiracy.

"This is all part of the record. We wanted to bring this to the public. And we left the decision to the-then government."

However, this did not happen and more rumours were spread to gain political mileage, he said, adding that the Pakistan Army was also targeted.

At this time, Sharif and other journalists were fed a particular narrative and an attempt was made to defame Pakistan and the country's institutions across the world, he said.

"In this media trial, ARY News played the role of a spin doctor in targeting the army and promoting a false narrative [...] the NSC meeting was presented in the wrong context."

Gen Iftikhar stated that the army was expected to intervene in domestic politics. "The word neutral and apolitical was turned into an abuse. To all this baseless narrative, the army chief and the institution showed restraint and we tried our level best that politicians sit together to resolve their issues."

He noted that Sharif made strong comments regarding the army during this time but added that "we did not have any negative sentiments about him and we don't have such feelings now".

Threat letter for KP
During the press conference, the DG ISPR revealed that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government on August 5 issued a threat letter on the directives of Chief Minister Mahmood Khan which stated that a Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) splinter group was looking to target Sharif.

"In this regard, no info was shared with the institutions who provided them the information."

This shows the threat alert was issued with the aim to force Sharif to leave the country, Gen Iftikhar said. "There was reports that he (Sharif) did not want to leave the country but he kept being reminded that he was facing a threat" to his life, he said.

He went on to say that on August 8, Shahbaz Gill's statement on ARY News regarding the country's institutions was condemned and the politician was arrested a day later.

He said that when ARY News head Ammad Yousuf, who was arrested in August, it emerged that ARY CEO Salman Iqbal had asked the former to send Sharif abroad as soon as possible.

The DG ISPR stated that a manager in the ARY Group booked a ticket for Sharif for Dubai, according to which he was supposed to be back on September 9.

"On Aug 10, he left Peshawar airport thorough PK-637 for Dubai. He was provided complete protocol by the KP government," he said, adding that the late journalist was escorted by KP officers to the airport.

"Arshad remained in the UAE until he had a valid visa. He left for Kenya when his visa for Dubai expired."

He said that no one "forced" Sharif to leave Dubai at a government level and questioned who exactly forced him to leave. He also questioned who processed the journalist's documents in the UAE, who looked after his accommodation, who forced him to not return to Pakistan and who assured him that he was safe in Kenya.

He also questioned who was in contact with Sharif from Pakistan and who was hosting him in Kenya.

"Kenyan police accepted their mistake and it has to be examined whether this is a case of mistaken identity or one of targeted killing. There are several questions that have to be answered," he said, calling for a "transparent and fair probe".

Therefore, the government has been requested to form a high-level inquiry commission, he said.

'Salman Iqbal should be brought back'
The DG ISPR went on to say that the name of the ARY CEO was surfacing again and again. "He should be brought back to Pakistan and made part of the probe."

He said that after Sharif's death, people had started pointing fingers at the army. "It has to be determined who exactly benefitted from his killing."

"It's your responsibility now unearth the facts and bring them to light. We have to wait for the report from the inquiry commission. Until the report is released, it is not appropriate to make allegations".

He said that Pakistan was a "dignified and independent nation", urging people to "have belief in your institutions".

"No one wants to be labelled a traitor after serving for 30-40 years. We can be weak, we can make mistakes, but we can never be a traitor or conspirator. The army is nothing without the people," he said, adding that now was the time for "unity and discipline".

DG ISI's first public appearance, says COAS presented 'lucrative offer' for extension in March
In an unprecedented move, the ISI chief also made an appearance in today's press conference — the first time in Pakistan's history.

"I am aware that you are surprised by my presence," he said, adding that he had appeared for his institution and the officers who were sacrificing their lives. "As chief of this agency, I cannot remain silent when they are targeted for no reason."

Lt Gen Anjum said the nation had given him the responsibility to take secrets to the grave. "But when needed and when necessary, I will bring those facts to light".

Talking about the officers martyred in Lasbela, he said that they were mocked. Therefore, it is highly condemnable to speak without proof, he said, adding that words like "neutral and janwar" were meant to illustrate that the institution was indulging in sedition.

He added that these words were also being used because the institution refused to bend to an "unconstitutional and illegal act".

"Last year, the establishment decided that it would restrict itself to its constitutional role [...] The army had an intense discussion and we reached the conclusion that the country's benefit lies in us restricting ourselves to our constitutional role and remaining out of politics."

He said that in March, there was "a lot of pressure" but the institution and the army chief decided to limit the military to its constitutional role.

If Gen Bajwa wanted, he could have spent the last few months of his tenure comfortably but he made sacrificed in the country's best interest, he said, adding that the army chief's family was also targeted.

Lt Gen Anjum also made the revelation that in March, Gen Bajwa was given a "lucrative offer" for an extension in his tenure. "It was made in front of me. He rejected it because he wanted the institution to move forward from a controversial role to a constitutional role."

Seemingly talking about former premier Imran, the ISI chief said that while citizens had the right to their opinion, why did "you praise him so much in the past if he was a traitor?"

"If you see him as a traitor, then why do you meet him through the back door? [...] Don't do this where you meet quietly at night through the back door and express your unconstitutional wishes but call [the army chief] a traitor in broad daylight. That's a big contradiction between your words and your actions."

Later in response to a question about who offered the extension to the COAS, he said that it was "evident" that it was the government in power at the time.

"The offer was made because the no-confidence motion was at its peak," he said.

"Pakistan is a democratic country and deciding [about its] friends and foes is the domain of democratically elected government. The institution's role is to present their analysis on the basis of their information. The decision will be the government's."

He went on to say that politics of hatred created instability and lamented that this was divisive in society.

The ISI chief said that when he was appointed, he was asked about the country's main issued. "I said it was our economic woes, But those who asked the question did not agree. In their view, the opposition was the biggest problem."

He said that political intolerance causes instability, stating that constitutional and legal ways needed to be pursued. "When we go through the back door, it causes anarchy in the country."

'Sharif was in contact with establishment'
Talking about Sharif, the ISI chief said he was a "competent, hardworking and able journalist". "Some quarters may have differences with his political views but his dedication for work is undeniable."

However, he stated that as per his reports, Sharif did not face any threat in Pakistan. Lt Gen Anjum said that members of Sharif's family were martyred officers and the journalist had contacts with the establishment.

"When he went abroad, he was still in contact [with the establishment]."

The DG ISI said he was in contact with his Kenyan counterpart regarding the probe, adding that initial investigations said it was a case of mistaken identity.

"Perhaps we and the government are not fully convinced. That's why the government has formed a team that will head to Kenya."

He went on to say that intelligence officers had been removed from the probe teams so that a "fair probe" could be conducted. "Whatever conclusion is reached, the DG ISPR will inform you about it."

DAWN

 

[MenInG]

This is a serious escalation.

 

[bones]

This is a serious escalation.

It seems to me like they know that every move they make just pushed more people against them. At the same time they are running out of patience with PTI and IK in particular. The problem for them is, the vast majority of the public are fed up with the establishment and less so the crooks of PDM.

 

[JimmyGetsBuckets]

The boots seem to be shook for some reason. I have never seen the neutrals act like this before.

 

[Cricket-lion]

Why are the they meeting? Army doesn't infringe in politics. They told us this many times.

 

[chinaman00]

The guilty have away of exposing themselves.

Very sad to see premier state institutions get turned into a joke like this. The military was Pakistan’s first and last lifeline, that’s no more. Bajwa will go down in history as the man who destroyed the reputation of the military and turned the masses against the military.

Bleak days ahead for Pakistan.

 

[Manunited18]

Imran the only man in Pakistans history who has truly shaken the establishment, but i do fear for imran, they will come at him hard.

 

[Bewal Express]

They are rattled. They killed Arshad and FV presser showed how low these thugs will go.

 

[Gayle_Force]

This is the most unusual press conference and definitely gives the impression that kampein tang gai hain. Looks like endgame has started.

 

[Bewal Express]

The guilty have away of exposing themselves.

Very sad to see premier state institutions get turned into a joke like this. The military was Pakistan’s first and last lifeline, that’s no more. Bajwa will go down in history as the man who destroyed the reputation of the military and turned the masses against the military.

Bleak days ahead for Pakistan.

Being the son of a retired PK army man,You will have to go along a long way to find someone as pro army as I was. Bajwa and his company have destroyed my faith in PK army. The Generas played a dirty game and now they are cornered on both sides- they are being blackmailed by the mafia as Javed Latif said they were forced to take power and other side is PK and its people. You made a terrible mistake

 

[Bewal Express]

This is the most unusual press conference and definitely gives the impression that kampein tang gai hain. Looks like endgame has started.

An open coup rather than a coup fronted by criminals on its way. Let it happen by the end game for these crooks is nigh

 

[Bewal Express]

Imran the only man in Pakistans history who has truly shaken the establishment, but i do fear for imran, they will come at him hard.

What else can they do to kill him. As the reaction to Arshads death has shown the public are angry, just imagine the temperature if IK is called.

 

[Gayle_Force]

An open coup rather than a coup fronted by criminals on its way. Let it happen by the end game for these crooks is nigh

Yea the presser by Vawda and this one just leaves more questions than answers. Seems like state institutions have created a huge mess and every time they try to clean it up they make it even worse.

 

[Hextro]

These guys are too dumb to have jobs. Who comes out and contradicts every point they have made for the past 4 months? Even 10-year-olds are smart enough to not expose their own lies.

One day these guys are saying they have no involvement in politics the next day they come out and openly say that they've been holding meetings with the opposition leader.

These are the geniuses that decide the future of our country. It's Imran Khan or nothing at this point.

 

[Extra_Cover]

This is very serious. Unprecedented press talk by DG ISPR and even DG ISI which is unheard of. Some serious things are brewing in the background. I sense significant concerns in near future.

 

[mazkhan]

I have a lot of people in the army in my own family my grandfathers were in military my nana also served in the British army during ww2.

Doesn't change the fact they lost all wars against India, the establishment loots pakistan and is the continuation of the east India company , the founding fathers of this country alongwith the military establishment was no other than gora sahib . Lord mountbatten the pedophile sent to jahanum by Irish patriots
Sir Frank Walter masservy
Sir Douglas David Gracey
And then their appointed stooge general ayub khan.

On the other hand turks I have immense respect for alongwith iran 2 countries alongwith bhookay nangay Afghans who fought the colonialists .

 

[gazza619]

The boots seem to be shook for some reason. I have never seen the neutrals act like this before.

Good for them.

 

[Major]

Army and Dg isi exposed Imran.
So it has been confirmed he wanted to give Bajwa unlimited extention and wanted them to do unconstitutional things

Proves a point that Imran is only against army till they support him.

 

[Manunited18]

Army and Dg isi exposed Imran.
So it has been confirmed he wanted to give Bajwa unlimited extention and wanted them to do unconstitutional things

Proves a point that Imran is only against army till they support him.

Its actually imran who has exposed Bajwa and the rest of the corrupt establishment, hence the so called neutrals coming out and looking rattled.

 

[gazza619]

Army and Dg isi exposed Imran.
So it has been confirmed he wanted to give Bajwa unlimited extention and wanted them to do unconstitutional things

Proves a point that Imran is only against army till they support him.

Good one Major. Ulta choor…

 

[daytrader]

Army openly confronting IK. A true cornered tiger now

 

[shortbread]

Why can't the establishment just call and election and end this stand off for once?

It's very obvious that when in power IK hasn't stepped out of line and played along. The people want him in power, which is very obvious. Call an election and end this. Let the establishment decide on Bajwa's replacement, let Bajwa retire to Saudi, US as is tradition and call for elections. All the stakeholders are dragging the country down with this sort of confrontation. IK when in power has been very supportive of the establishment, so why this animosity now?

The only issue is Bajwa-IK relations, well let Bajwa retire in peace.

 

[Stewie]

The army establishment is digging itself a deep hole it cannot get out of. They think this is damage control but it makes them look even more of a bunch of power drunk idiots.

 

[gazza619]

Why can't the establishment just call and election and end this stand off for once?

It's very obvious that when in power IK hasn't stepped out of line and played along. The people want him in power, which is very obvious. Call an election and end this. Let the establishment decide on Bajwa's replacement, let Bajwa retire to Saudi, US as is tradition and call for elections. All the stakeholders are dragging the country down with this sort of confrontation. IK when in power has been very supportive of the establishment, so why this animosity now?

The only issue is Bajwa-IK relations, well let Bajwa retire in peace.

The establishment themselves are divided. It would be naive to think that the whole army is united under Bajwa. Plenty of egos.

 

[Stewie]

The establishment themselves are divided. It would be naive to think that the whole army is united under Bajwa. Plenty of egos.

But, you gotta give them credit, after all the misfires and idiotic steps and quite frankly plain old treasonous stuff Bajwa and his group have done, nobody has uttered a word publicly and openly nor have there been any indications whatsoever that they are divided and there is a group of dissenters in there somewhere. Most of the condemnation has come from the retired army officers, none whatsoever from the active ones.

 

[Bewal Express]

Army and Dg isi exposed Imran.
So it has been confirmed he wanted to give Bajwa unlimited extention and wanted them to do unconstitutional things

Proves a point that Imran is only against army till they support him.

So you believe the guys now? But they asked who forced Arshad Sharif leave PK? So who forced Arshad to leave PK? Who had 16 FIRs against him and why? Who had placed the FIA team investigating SS and other criminals on ECL? Remember SS wasn't in govt,so these thugs need to give answers.

 

[Major]

So you believe the guys now? But they asked who forced Arshad Sharif leave PK? So who forced Arshad to leave PK? Who had 16 FIRs against him and why? Who had placed the FIA team investigating SS and other criminals on ECL? Remember SS wasn't in govt,so these thugs need to give answers.

so you are saying that DG ISI and Army is lieing? THey are doing a press conference.

Imran wanted them to go against the constituion, and wanted to give more extention.

Raat ko hamaree mintay karta subah hamaray khilaaf )

If Imran was asking for unconstitutional stuff, legally he can be hanged to death. Our constitution is quite clear on that. Whether you like it or not

 

[Bewal Express]

so you are saying that DG ISI and Army is lieing? THey are doing a press conference.

Imran wanted them to go against the constituion, and wanted to give more extention.

Raat ko hamaree mintay karta subah hamaray khilaaf )

If Imran was asking for unconstitutional stuff, legally he can be hanged to death. Our constitution is quite clear on that. Whether you like it or not

What did Latif mean by saying we were forced to come into power, by whom and why- and i know what your going to say its IK- lol.
And that alone should give your answer. If your honest and lets face it, the evidence from your posts on that question and all other stuff doesnt give one any confidence about anything you say. And herein lies the answer to your question.

Yes they are lying and blatantly lying, they threatened all the journalists and people around IK and today they are claiming that it wasnt them. Lol. The crooks started 16 Firs against Arshad, and today apparently they were no threats- lol. IK asked them to uphold the constitution and we know now that it was them that stopped all the cases for 3 years- is that constitutional?? If it is, what constitution are we talking about?

Kaptaan has called their bluff because he has 200mn behind him and these crooks dont know where to turn. Thankfully not all PKs are cowardly as you guys, they dont only think of themselves and do care deeply about PK.
For the 1st time in our history the civilians are about take full control

 

[saeedhk]

Good to see the military shaking in fear! We need to restrict the military to their barracks.

 

[moghul]

I have many family and extended family members in Army, so I always have soft corner for Army, but this army leadership is an embarrassment and shameful for any country , they have no regard for the country . This press conference was the most obvious proof of army's open involvement in supporting the current corrupt regime and a desperate attempt to block IK from coming back in power.

 

[daytrader]

PTI questions military’s ‘apolitical’ credentials
Senior leadership term presser by DG ISI an attempt to open a new Pandora's box

LAHORE:
The senior leadership of the Pakistan Tahreek-e-Insaf (PTI) contradicted on Thursday the presser of the senior military officers and termed it an attempt to open a new Pandora's box.

Senior PTI leaders Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Asad Umar, Fawad Chaudhry, and Shireen Mazari held a joint news conference in Lahore, hours after an unusual joint presser by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt-Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum and Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt-Gen Babar Iftikhar.

PTI Vice Chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the recent news conference had further complicated the situation, while referring to the part of the military officers’ presser about the institution’s decision to stay apolitical.

“We think a new Pandora box has been opened,” Qureshi said. “It is always our wish that every institution should play its role as defined in the Constitution then it would be easier and no difficulty arises,” he added.

Responding to PTI leader Faisal Vawda’s press conference on Wednesday, Qureshi underscored that all PTI’s public gatherings and rallies in the past had been peaceful.

“As per our tradition, Friday’s (today’s) ‘Haqeeqi Azadi [real freedom] march’ will be peaceful and within the limits of the law. On May 25, the government inflicted violence on the PTI’s caravan but it would not be repeated this time.”

Qureshi called on the people to actively participate in the long march, promising that it would be peaceful.

Countering Vawda’s claims, Qureshi said that his news conference was a failed attempt to spread fear among the masses and sabotage the party’s long march. It was a weak attempt which badly failed.

“Interestingly, it [Vawda’s news conference] was telecast live on state television,” he pointed out. He also said that it was being stated that the PTI was trying to create political instability in the country.

“Contrary to the claim, we are offering solution to the current problem. We believe that political instability has arrived and the PTI is offering a democratic solution, which is free and fair elections in the country,” he maintained.

Responding to the military’s presser, PTI Secretary-General Asad Umar said that “Imran Khan owned both the army and the country”, adding: “But will he agree with every decision taken by the army?”

“You may disagree with the criticism but in Imran Khan’s point of view, these are the things that if followed, would lead to the betterment of the army and the country. It is his constitutional right to express his opinion,” he underlined.

Umar also clarified that the PTI chairman had never said anything that would weaken the army. “So these things should be reviewed, maybe there is a need for consideration,” he added.

Imran had never made any unconstitutional demands in backdoor talks, Umar said. “Matters discussed behind closed doors are no secret. Imran Khan has discussed them all in public gatherings and news conferences,” he added.

“All these demands and talks are in front of the public,” Umar stressed. He then posed a question: “If you see him [Imran] as a traitor, then why do you meet him through the backdoor?”

However, responding to another question, Umar confirmed meetings on extension for Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa. However, he added that if such talks behind closed doors were brought into the open then “who knows what talks Imran Khan will start bringing out.”

PTI Senior Vice President Fawad Chaudhry said that he was shocked at the DG ISI’s press conference. “If political leaders hold press conferences, we can respond to them, but at a press conference held by institutions there is a certain level of respect and thus we cannot respond to them,” he added.

Read COAS Gen Bajwa was offered 'indefinite extension' in March, claims DG ISI at unprecedented presser

He was of the view that along with the respect for the institutions, it was also important to respect the people’s choices. “We have to decide whether we want to run Pakistan's democratic norms or become a country like Burma. Let the people of Pakistan decide their fate and not the elite behind closed doors.”

Speaking about the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya earlier this week, Chaudhry said that the threats received by the deceased were not hidden from anybody, as he had also informed the president about them in a letter.

“He did not leave Pakistan on the directions of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa [K-P] government; he left Pakistan because he was not being allowed to speak”.

Earlier, the senior PTI leaders joined the party Chairman Imran Khan in offering funeral prayer in absentia for Arshad Sharif at the Chief Minister Secretariat.

Express Tribune

 

[daytrader]

Imran questions political presser by ‘apolitical’
PTI chief says ‘Dirty Harry’ behind Vawda’s controversial statements against party

KARACHI:
Former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan admitted on Thursday he offered extension to the tenure of army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa when the then opposition was “conspiring” to topple his government.

“I repeatedly warned Gen Bajwa that if this no-confidence motion succeeded it would have direct impact on economy and no one would be able to control it, [and] the economy will go into tailspin,” Imran said in an interview with a private news channel.

Imran said he told the army chief that if the then opposition was offering him extension then he could do the same.

His statement came after DG ISI Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum revealed at an unprecedented press conference that the army chief was offered an indefinite extension to his tenure in front of him in March this year.

In the interview, Imran asked the military “why did they hold the press conference to discuss political matters if they were apolitical”. He said: “They held a political press conference so I don’t understand this. Could the defence or interior minister or prime minister not have done this?”

Imran said that since his removal from the government in a no-confidence motion in April, it was his endeavour to prevent any harm to the country and the army from his side.

Similarly, he added, if he started giving replies to the press conference, “it will directly go on our army ... [and] it will cause a lot of damage” to the country, adding: “I don’t want to hurt them in any way.”

Talking about “backdoor talks” as mentioned by the ISI chief in his press conference, Imran said that a meeting took place at the President’s House. “And in it, one thing was said that I have said publicly several times … except for elections there is no other way.”

Imran insisted that he had been criticising “dirty harry” — who according to him had been recently posted in Islamabad — for the torturing PTI leaders Azam Swati and Shahbaz Gill.
Commenting on PTI leader Faisal Vawda’s press conference, Imran expressed regrets, saying he did not expect such statements which left his party leaders bewildered and shocked.

On Wednesday, Vawda spoke at a press conference in Islamabad claiming that the upcoming PTI long march would witness “bloodshed”. Vawda also said that the establishment had no role in the killing of senior journalist Arshad Sharif.

Imran said that Vawda gave such a controversial statement at the insistance of “dirty harry”. He added that everyone knew that “attempts were made to silence him [Arshad Sharif]”.

’Mir Jafar and Mir Sadiq’

Separately, the former prime minister Imran Khan reiterated that “Mir Jafar and Mir Sadiq” hatched a foreign conspiracy to topple his government.

Addressing the PTI social media team and a video statement on the eve of his long march towards the federal capital, Imran invited the masses to join his movement for real freedom of the country.

“Mir Jafar and Mir Sadiq hatched a foreign conspiracy to topple my government,” Imran told the party’s social media team. “Through the social media, show every citizen what they did with the PTI government.”

In his video statement, Imran said he was going to launch his “Haqeeqi Azadi” movement from Liberty Chowk, Lahore, on Friday (today), inviting all the people to participate in it.
“This movement is not for political point-scoring or gaining personal benefits or for that matter dismantling a government. This is meant to get the country free in true sense,” he said.

“Since the inception of Pakistan, after the Tehreek-e-Pakistan, through which we gained freedom from English, the PTI’s movement is also of the same magnitude in essence,” he added.

Imran underscored that the purpose of his movement was to decide the country’s fate. “No puppet from abroad should decide for us,” the PTI chairman said.

“The PTI will continue to fight for real freedom until the doors of foreign conspiracies to get power are shut. Second, there should be justice. Everyone should be equal before the law,” he said.

Exposing West’s hypocrisy on the Kashmir issue, he said that no one could speak against Israel in America, because it was against their national interest, adding that millions of Kashmiris had been martyred, but the West was unable to speak out on this issue.

Express Tribune

 

[MenInG]

DG ISI presser ‘more political than Sheikh Rasheed’: Imran

Addressing supporters after reaching the Liberty Chowk, Imran said that the joint press conference by Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lt Gen Nadeem Ahmed Anjum and Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) DG Lt Gen Babar Iftikhar yesterday was more “political than Sheikh Rasheed”.

“DG ISI, listen carefully, the things I know, I am staying silent for my institutions and the country. I don’t want to damage my country,” the PTI chief said as the crowd cheered.

Imran said that he wanted to see a Pakistan that was free and for that, a powerful army was needed.

“DG ISI, when we criticise [the institutions], it is constructive and for your betterment. I am saying this again, I can say a lot and can respond to you. But I don’t want the institutions to get weak,” he asserted.

The former prime minister also countered that he never made any unconstitutional demands during “backdoor contacts”.

“I want free and fair elections. I want the people to decide who will lead the country — not Washington, America or anyone else,” Imran added.

 

[mazkhan]

The army is very weak and their cover is blown .

India is watching with incompetent military junta I wouldn't be surprised if india with nod from west decapitates pakistan land border with china. This is very good opportunity for India the army hierarchy has sold out and they've left the bunkers for villas and politics it will only end in disaster for them.

 

[Bewal Express]

The duffers held the conference on the day of Arshads Janaza and made sure that no critical journalist could challenge them on their lies. Arshad had 16 FIRS against him and had numerous threats, IRK said he will give names to Bajwa on the people that threatened him and Arshad and Swati named names. These duffers don't realise that in the digital age people have open platforms and don't need the PTV version to tell them Bajwas "truth"

 

[AZulfi]

DG ISPR and DG ISI's combined press conference merely proves the point that the military establishment is NOT apolitical (as they claim) and that it continues to meddle in politics. Calling them 'neutrals' is the biggest joke. They never were. The establishment only looks after it's own interests.

However, there is little chance of a military coup in the near future. No COAS would want to be in a position of having to move out of the country like Musharraf once he is out of power. The generals know that they can manipulate and control things just as well working from behind the scenes!!! They will still continue to meddle in politics and influence the judiciary, ECP and NAB - period.

The Establishment only looks after it's own interests. They pick their favourites from time to time depending on what suits them politically at a given time. ZAB, Nawaz, Imran etc. Today it is Shehbaz. Tomorrow it will be someone-else.

 

[Local.Dada]

The army is very weak and their cover is blown .

India is watching with incompetent military junta I wouldn't be surprised if india with nod from west decapitates pakistan land border with china. This is very good opportunity for India the army hierarchy has sold out and they've left the bunkers for villas and politics it will only end in disaster for them.

Why would India waste money given there is a recession going on and risk soldier lives to fight a war when the political tensions in Pakistan may be not benefit but definitely won’t do any harm.

In fact if India kind of takes any action, that would only help the Pakistan army to probably get the common people to rally behind them and current government which I am assuming has their blessing based on what I read here.

All it takes is a random cricket match for people in both India and Pakistan to put their politics aside and cheer for the team so a war like situation will only benefit the army even though an actual war may not.

 

[subshakerz]

Why can't the establishment just call and election and end this stand off for once?

It's very obvious that when in power IK hasn't stepped out of line and played along. The people want him in power, which is very obvious. Call an election and end this. Let the establishment decide on Bajwa's replacement, let Bajwa retire to Saudi, US as is tradition and call for elections. All the stakeholders are dragging the country down with this sort of confrontation. IK when in power has been very supportive of the establishment, so why this animosity now?

The only issue is Bajwa-IK relations, well let Bajwa retire in peace.

It is obvious why. The military est don't want someone in power who operates on his own agenda plus has massive public support.

 

[wasim-fan]

Very tense press conference. Things are heading down south big time. It will get ugly before it gets better.

 

[Bewal Express]

Very tense press conference. Things are heading down south big time. It will get ugly before it gets better.

The men from the shadows have been exposed. They are in bed with criminals and dont know what to do. As Javed Latif said we were forced to take power, by whom and why? Well we know clearly after yesterday's presser that it was these thugs. If IK comes to power then will have to run and if they let the mafia families down, they will spill the beans. Badniyaati leads to Hobsons choice. Gone from being respected to hated

 

[KingKhanWC]

DG ISPR and DG ISI's combined press conference merely proves the point that the military establishment is NOT apolitical (as they claim) and that it continues to meddle in politics. Calling them 'neutrals' is the biggest joke. They never were. The establishment only looks after it's own interests.

However, there is little chance of a military coup in the near future. No COAS would want to be in a position of having to move out of the country like Musharraf once he is out of power. The generals know that they can manipulate and control things just as well working from behind the scenes!!! They will still continue to meddle in politics and influence the judiciary, ECP and NAB - period.

The Establishment only looks after it's own interests. They pick their favourites from time to time depending on what suits them politically at a given time. ZAB, Nawaz, Imran etc. Today it is Shehbaz. Tomorrow it will be someone-else.

Yes Since Mushys martial law, there is no room for coups anylonger.

The top brass are worried, the people demanding no more corruption in governments, army or insitutitions. The worst news for them is many in the army are behind IK.

Imagine if MI6 or CIA head did a presser. lol.

Something out of lollywood.

 

[wasim-fan]

The men from the shadows have been exposed. They are in bed with criminals and dont know what to do. As Javed Latif said we were forced to take power, by whom and why? Well we know clearly after yesterday's presser that it was these thugs. If IK comes to power then will have to run and if they let the mafia families down, they will spill the beans. Badniyaati leads to Hobsons choice. Gone from being respected to hated

You maybe right. But if you see the press conference and body language, I haven't seen anything like this in my life. This shows now that we are heading towards a proper showdown and cost of that could be potentially complete destabilization of Pakistan. DG ISI crying in press conference is no small deal. There will be no victors here. Imran Khan might squeeze country out of the establishment but there may not be much of country left.

 

[Bewal Express]

You maybe right. But if you see the press conference and body language, I haven't seen anything like this in my life. This shows now that we are heading towards a proper showdown and cost of that could be potentially complete destabilization of Pakistan. DG ISI crying in press conference is no small deal. There will be no victors here. Imran Khan might squeeze country out of the establishment but there may not be much of country left.

I agree but the solution is simple- hold elections and let the people decide. We have had a soft coup fronted by the mafia families but the men in shadows are running the show with a few( very important) bones thrown in for the crooked families. These duffers under estimated how much people hate these crooks and IK has given them a voice. Will the Generals resign and go abroad, or will their handlers not let them. They are being blackmailed and don't know what to do. The khusra spoke against IK like mafia politician and now we know why he was appointed.

 

[Manunited18]

The crooks, establishment, will play a waiting game. imran is seventy years old now and this is a very hectic challenge hes got on his shoulders. If only he was in his forties or fifties then it would be a different ball game. I sincerely hope im wrong though.

 

[wasim-fan]

I agree but the solution is simple- hold elections and let the people decide. We have had a soft coup fronted by the mafia families but the men in shadows are running the show with a few( very important) bones thrown in for the crooked families. These duffers under estimated how much people hate these crooks and IK has given them a voice. Will the Generals resign and go abroad, or will their handlers not let them. They are being blackmailed and don't know what to do. The khusra spoke against IK like mafia politician and now we know why he was appointed.

What soft coup ? Establishment is playing from both sides. It's just that Imran doesn't have their support for now. But he has become too big for them. Now the question is will they cut him to size or will he prevail over them. Either way, existentially Pakistan will be impacted big time in this conflict. Money will be moved out. Clear fissures in institutions will be out in open. Rupee and stick market will crash like no tomorrow. The damage to the already broken country will be final nail in coffin. I don't see how we get out of this. The only way out seems to be for establishment to kneel to Imran and accept his ascendency.

 

[Bewal Express]

What soft coup ? Establishment is playing from both sides. It's just that Imran doesn't have their support for now. But he has become too big for them. Now the question is will they cut him to size or will he prevail over them. Either way, existentially Pakistan will be impacted big time in this conflict. Money will be moved out. Clear fissures in institutions will be out in open. Rupee and stick market will crash like no tomorrow. The damage to the already broken country will be final nail in coffin. I don't see how we get out of this. The only way out seems to be for establishment to kneel to Imran and accept his ascendency.

So you think there isn't a coup? Well look at what has happened
-13 parties brought together as a front for Bajwa
- including in this are MQM and BAP
- PTI officials on the ECL before SS takes over- who decided this
- women and children are attacked on the 25th May by whom, Rangers and under direct control of the army
- All criminal cases against the Sharifs are desposed in record time, by whom and why?
-NAB refuses to appeal, why?
- Journalists are attacked and murdered by ISI, why are they involved unless they are part of the govt
-GHQ lose their nerve and attack IK in a historic press conference. We have had wars where the DGI never appeared but comes on and attacks IK directly.
- All channels are told not to cover IK, why.

It's soft coup with criminal front men.

 

[Bewal Express]

What soft coup ? Establishment is playing from both sides. It's just that Imran doesn't have their support for now. But he has become too big for them. Now the question is will they cut him to size or will he prevail over them. Either way, existentially Pakistan will be impacted big time in this conflict. Money will be moved out. Clear fissures in institutions will be out in open. Rupee and stick market will crash like no tomorrow. The damage to the already broken country will be final nail in coffin. I don't see how we get out of this. The only way out seems to be for establishment to kneel to Imran and accept his ascendency.

The establishment have a made terrible error with their destruction. They need to be on the side of the people,not criminals.

 

[Browncaps]

No comment or press conference from army or ISI regarding india or its threat of invading Azad Kashmir.

But hey, they are apolitical.

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

General Mushraff: Both children settled in USA with heavy businesses settled for them.
General Kiyani: settled in Australia and bought a tourist Island in Australia for business.
General Raheel: He is settled in Saudi with heavy businesses setup in Dubai.
General Asim Bajwa: Settled in USA with children, setup businesses with 70 million dollars with big shares in PaPa Jones.
General Bajwa: we are waiting for his assets and waiting to see where he will get settled.

Source : youtube comment.

 

[Varun]

General Mushraff: Both children settled in USA with heavy businesses settled for them.
General Kiyani: settled in Australia and bought a tourist Island in Australia for business.
General Raheel: He is settled in Saudi with heavy businesses setup in Dubai.
General Asim Bajwa: Settled in USA with children, setup businesses with 70 million dollars with big shares in PaPa Jones.
General Bajwa: we are waiting for his assets and waiting to see where he will get settled.

Source : youtube comment.

Very inspirational. The Kashmiris have such perfect saviours.

 

[Browncaps]

I saw this online regarding the press conference:-

*_Fol Comments by ex NDU alumni/DS...name being withheld on his request_*

Just heard the press conference of DG ISI and DG ISPR....... Will just give my brief first impression comments..

It was good and sad at so many levels....

Good because people were pleasantly surprised to find the DG ISI speaking in eloquent Urdu & and presented himself as a pleasant sensible mature officer.

It was sad in a way that DG ISI himself had to come in front of the media in an unprecedented manner to defend his institution, signaling that the battle had come to his office and all his frontline troops were destroyed. When the king has to draw his sword that's generally the end of the battle......

It was sad because they both tried to defend General Bajwa...... He cannot be defended. He has become a baggage for the institution itself and sooner he leaves the better.

It was also sad that the narrative that army is apolitical is also not sellable.

On both these counts the credibility of both these officers was put at stake.
People start to believe you from known to unknown..... If you speak what they already know then they start to trust you on things they do not know.

If they judge you to be a liar on facts they already know or believe to be true, then they will not trust you on facts they do not know.

Whatever they said about the case of Arshad Sharif is believable and will probably be accepted.

Whatever they said about Imran khan will be partially believed and will be rebutted by the PTI.

But nobody will believe what they said about general Bajwa or being non political....... Pushing this narrative is credibility destroyer.

Both army and ISI need to ask few question to themselves........
Why did it come to this that the two lieutenant generals, one reclusive DG ISI, had to break his cover to defend the institutions?
How did it come to this?
Was it too little too late?
Will it undo the damage done to the credibility respect and morale of the institution?

What genuine steps have to be taken to assure the nation of what has been said in the presser? How the credibility gap can be bridged?

The press conference was good in the sense that now the army and ISI policy has been declared in clear cut terms. Now the challenge is to walk the talk which does not seem to be happening....

No amount of press conferences can undo the damage ......but one solid visible action can....

Pakistan army and ISI need to declare economic terrorism as a national security threat..... And then assist the judiciary in enforcing the corruption cases.

Only this action will begin to restore the credibility of the institutions not the press conferences....

PTI's entire narrative rests on one Focal point....... General Bajwa does not consider corruption as a problem....

This is a daming indictment which is totally believeable by the common man. Only a rock solid action against the corrupt Mafia can dispel this.
But with only 30 days left to his tenure, perhaps he is also too late in the game.

Now the burden will be passed on to the next chief along with the baton....... He will have to do what the present one could not.

Respect and credibility of the army can be restored in no time....... But only if they become genuinely apolitical and treat corruption as economic terrorism and the biggest national security threat, specially now when they have declared that there is no external threat to the country....(which again was a blunder to say this).

PTI will certainly not buy this narrative. So we do not expect them to slow down.

Difficult times indeed.

May Allah give Khair to this nation - Insha'Allah...

Being ISI head he is responsible to keep all that happened behind the scenes. Mentioning those are equal to leaking secrets, specially his comment that IK in front of him offered extension to Bajwas in PM house. It's equal to government secret and if you can so lightly discuss this in front of media just to protect your skin then what to expect from you when you are in front of in your masters. I'm nobody but in my eyes it is offensive enough to be court martialed.

The ISI political wing was created by ZAB.

 

[Stewie]

Very inspirational. The Kashmiris have such perfect saviours.

How can they be saviors when Kashmiris are still not saved?

 

[Local.Dada]

How can they be saviors when Kashmiris are still not saved?

Kashmiris like every other ethnicities out there need to save themselves by becoming educated, being entrepreneurial and progressing as a community.

Plenty of cultures and ethnic groups have had tremendous success despite more adversity if not the same.

They don’t need saviors.

 

[Poseidon]

General Mushraff: Both children settled in USA with heavy businesses settled for them.

Not agree with that, his daughter is an architect and his son was an employee in US even when he was President of Pakistan . Gen Musharraf has no Business anywhere .

General Kiyani: settled in Australia and bought a tourist Island in Australia for business.
General Raheel: He is settled in Saudi with heavy businesses setup in Dubai.
General Asim Bajwa: Settled in USA with children, setup businesses with 70 million dollars with big shares in PaPa Jones.
General Bajwa: we are waiting for his assets and waiting to see where he will get settled.
Belgium

Source : youtube comment.

in the bold .

 

[Browncaps]

The neutral playbook:

1) Bring down RTS during 2018 elections, rig and deny PTI 18 seats in the general elections.

2) Force dodgy coalition partners like BAP & MQM to be used as leverage on PTI

3) Have ANF open cases against Sana bandar and Hanif abbasi to bring the likes in check.

4) Make sure no progress is made on any open/shut cases (Showbaaaz/Hamza/Suleinam TT into maqsood chaprasi) and Zardari Omni Group / Sindh bank. Use as leverage or squeeze $$$ out of them.

5) Have Nawajo freed and ushered out. Marium Nani (convicted felon) roam about the country on bail.

6) When IK started to have independent policies (Absolutely not!, DG ISI selection) use your pawns to push the NCM.

7) Have Supreme Court (sub ordinates to the neutrals), not reply to Presidents clarification on disbarring rogue PTI party members.

8) then use BAP/BAP to trigger NCM

9) Have courts opened at mid night when PTI used a parliamentary process to dissolve assembly.

10) Invalidate dep speakers ruling, install these jokers

 

[ex-q-zit]

Imran hopes new military leadership will ‘work to end prevailing trust deficit’

PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Wednesday congratulated the newly appointed military leadership, expressing the hope that it would work to “end the prevailing trust deficit” between the nation and the state.

Last week, Gen Asim Munir, a soldier with considerable operational experience and a career steeped in intelligence, was designated as the country’s 17th army chief while Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza, another infantry officer with an enviable career, was appointed as the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff committee.

The appointments ended weeks of intense speculation about who will lead the powerful military following Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa’s retirement. Gen Mirza took charge on Nov 27 while Gen Munir assumed charge on Nov 29.

In a tweet today, Imran felicitated the new military command. “We hope the new military leadership will work to end the prevailing trust deficit that has built up in the last 8 months between the nation and the state.

“The strength of the state is derived from its people,” the PTI chief added.

Along with the message, Imran also shared a screenshot of a purported quote by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, which some people on social media questioned the veracity of.

Imran slammed for ‘selective memory’

Reacting to Imran’s statement, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb took exception to his claim and questioned whether Quaid-i-Azam had also offered an indefinite extension to the army chief behind closed doors.

The information minister, addressing a press conference in Islamabad, said the only mistrust present was the one in Imran’s mind.

Aurangzeb said Imran was now twiddling his thumbs after the party’s long march and advised him to do the following two things: Declare all the gifts he had taken from the Toshakhana and follow through on registering a case against the Jang Group and Dubai-based businessman Umar Zahoor for the claims they made against him.

“You know that if you file the case, you will have to provide details about the watch and all those details related to the Toshakhana which have yet to be revealed to the nation.”

As for the PTI’s announcement to leave the provincial assemblies, she said Imran only wanted political instability and discord in the country.

PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz claimed Imran had a “selective memory” but other people did not.

“You collude with certain elements of the establishment, they raise and feed you like their godson. Now you beg for their unconstitutional interference and when it is denied you call them traitors. You have the audacity to talk about trust deficit? You think people are fools,” she tweeted.

PML-N leader Muhammad Zubair was also of the opinion that the PTI chief had “selective memory”.

“He supported the direct military intervention of Musharraf and then directly benefitted through Shuja Pasha, Zaheerul Islam and others completely forgetting what Quaid said about the military’s role and what boundaries have been set in our Constitution,” he said.

In a message from its Twitter account, PML-N called Imran a “fascist” who was “literally begging for unconstitutional intervention till the very last day”.

DAWN

 

[Savak]

I remember when the DG ISI Nadeem Anjum finally replaced Faiz Hameed, a few political analysts commented that IK was done because Nadeem Anjum was a PML N sympathizer. Similar someone by the name of Gen Noorani is a Zardari sympathizer.

It is scary how quickly you can fall out of favour in the army based on who is in charge at the top echelon's of the Millitary leadership and where you stand with them. Many current and ex service men were threatened with dire consequences for speaking out against Bajwa and for supporting PTI. Many ex service men have had their pensions stopped, medical benefits and club benefits withdrawn for supporting PTI. I know the ex Pakistani servicemen organizations in Canada and the US are hosting fund raising events to support the veterans in Pakistan who have been clamped down upon.