No conspiracy mentioned in National Security Committee declaration, clarifies DG ISPR

RAWALPINDI (92 News) - Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar has clarified that neither a conspiracy was hatched in the recent political changes nor the United States had sought military bases.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, he said that BBC had published fake news about April 9. "The survival of Pakistan lies only in democracy. Martial law will never be imposed in the country. Baseless character-assassination on basis of rumours is unacceptable at any cost," he maintained. He said that the parliament, judiciary and armed forces should jointly protect democracy.

The DG ISPR said that there was no mention of the conspiracy in the announcement of the National Security Committee. "In the meeting, only it was stated that undiplomatic language has been used in the communication."

He clarified that the Army has nothing to do with politics. "Please do not drag the Army into politics. If there is any proof of the involvement of the army in politics, then it should be made public," he declared.

The DG ISPR said that there is no threat to the nuclear programme. "The Army would have said 'Absolutely Not' had the US sought bases. We should be careful while talking about the nuclear assets. Political parties also played a full role for the completion of the nuclear programme," he said.

He informed that former prime minister had contacted the military leadership and three options were discussed in the meeting. "The Army had not given any option to the former prime minister. The former PM himself contacted the establishment for mediation. Three options were discussed. COAS Qamar Bajwa refused to extend any unconstitutional help. The COAS had not met the opposition in or out of the country. He will retire on November 29 after completing his tenure. He neither wants extension in his tenure nor he will accept it," he declared.

Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar said that the border situation is stable. "The nation pays a tribute to valour sons and relatives of the martyrs who sacrifices their lives for the homeland," he added.

He said that the Pak Army will not let any conspiracy succeed against Pakistan. "An effort is being made to create a gulf between the people and the Army," he added.

To a question, he said that COAS Qamar Bajwa had not attended the oath-taking ceremony of PM Shehbaz Sharif as he was unwell. Replying to another query, he said that the stock market rose and the dollar price went down on the day when the prime minister took the oath. "The Pak Army did not let the CPEC projects closed," he concluded.