Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has condemned the allegations levelled against Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa by Canadian parliamentarian Tom Kmiec, holding Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairperson Imran Khan responsible for the Canadian lawmaker’s criticism of the army chief.
Earlier, Tom Kmiec had accused Gen Bajwa of “toppling two governments in Pakistan” and claimed that the military under his command is involved in human rights abuses.
Today, Khawaja Asif, in his speech in the National Assembly, said that “if a Canadian parliament member attacks our institution and state, then it is incumbent upon us to respond to those allegations.”
“I believe the Canadian lawmaker does not represent his country or people, but if there is any such statement, there will be a reaction to it,” he added.
Responding to Tom Kmiec’s accusation, Asif said that the PTI government was removed through a constitutional process.
He accused Imran Khan of “polarising” overseas Pakistanis for political purposes, and held him responsible for Kmiec’s criticism of the army chief.
“Time will tell how he [Imran] divided the nation and pushed us backward.”
Last week, Pakistan had objected to the Canadian lawmaker’s remarks and took up the matter with the government of Canada.
