Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Tuesday claimed his criticism of the army was “constructive”.
Addressing a show of power in Peshawar today, Imran said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz should get this straight that the PTI was a party that wanted to strengthen the country’s institutions. Any critique of the military, in the same vein, was aimed at bettering the institution. "We engage in constructive criticism.... Any person who is a well-wisher always seeks meritorious appointments,” the PTI chief said.
Imran had alleged on Sunday that the PPP and PML-N were obstructing the conduct of general elections because they wanted to “appoint an army chief of their choice” to evade accountability. Taking exception to the remarks, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had on Monday said the military was “aghast” at the “defamatory and uncalled for” statement pertaining to the force’s senior leadership delivered by Imran during Sunday's Faisalabad rally.
“Senior politicians trying to stir controversies on appointment of COAS of Pakistan Army, the procedure for which is well defined in the constitution, is most unfortunate and disappointing,” a statement by the military media wing had gone on to read.
Addressing a show of power in Peshawar today, Imran said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz should get this straight that the PTI was a party that wanted to strengthen the country’s institutions. Any critique of the military, in the same vein, was aimed at bettering the institution. "We engage in constructive criticism.... Any person who is a well-wisher always seeks meritorious appointments,” the PTI chief said.
Imran had alleged on Sunday that the PPP and PML-N were obstructing the conduct of general elections because they wanted to “appoint an army chief of their choice” to evade accountability. Taking exception to the remarks, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had on Monday said the military was “aghast” at the “defamatory and uncalled for” statement pertaining to the force’s senior leadership delivered by Imran during Sunday's Faisalabad rally.
“Senior politicians trying to stir controversies on appointment of COAS of Pakistan Army, the procedure for which is well defined in the constitution, is most unfortunate and disappointing,” a statement by the military media wing had gone on to read.