Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Asif has said that during a meeting with parliamentary leaders, army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa 'complained that politicians say things that come to bite them later'.
To illustrate his point, the army chief gave examples of Prime Minister Imran and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif. The meeting between the lawmakers and Gen Bajwa came before the all-parties conference organised by the opposition parties and was held to discuss making Gilgit-Baltistan the fifth province of Pakistan.
Yesterday, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) lawmaker Sherry Rehman confirmed that a meeting was held between the leaders of parliamentary parties and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa last week ahead of the All-Parties Conference,
According to Senator Rehman, the meeting which was held on the request of the army chief was convened to discuss the ‘sensitive’ issues pertaining to Gilgit-Baltistan in the wake of ‘increasing Indian aggression’.
The political issues did not come up during the meeting, said the PPP leader, adding the party agenda remained limited to the issues pertaining to the GB region. The army chief said the political parties needed to strengthen the parliamentary democracy, she admitted, refusing to give further details.
During the meeting, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari demanded ‘free and fair’ polls in Gilgit-Baltistan and urged greater representation for the people of the region, she added.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has barred his cabinet members from issuing ‘unnecessary statements’, saying a minister is not allowed to express ‘personal opinions’ in public.
During the meeting of the federal cabinet, PM Imran Khan took notice of statements issued by the ministers on multiple issues. He warned the ministers not to express an opinion in public and stopped them from delivering statements on ‘sensitive religious issues’.
Geo News said that the prime minister made these remarks in response to a complaint made by Federal Planning Minister Asad Umar over the statements made by Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari. Umar stated that Mazari often issues ‘unnecessary statements’.
“We have reservations over some statements of yours. You speak the most,” Umar called out Mazari.
On Sept 17, Mazari issued a statement in response to a private member bill moved by a PTI lawmaker, seeking to criminalise the criticism of the armed forces. Mazari referring to the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill said the government had nothing to do with the bill as it was moved by a private member.
To illustrate his point, the army chief gave examples of Prime Minister Imran and PML-N President Shehbaz Sharif. The meeting between the lawmakers and Gen Bajwa came before the all-parties conference organised by the opposition parties and was held to discuss making Gilgit-Baltistan the fifth province of Pakistan.
Khwaja Asif says on @GeoASKKS that COAS Gen Bajwa complained that politicians say things that come to bite them later and gave the example of Imran Khan to illustrate his point. ?
— Hasan Zaidi (@hyzaidi) September 22, 2020
Should add that, accord to Kh Asif, Gen Bajwa also gave the example of Shehbaz Sharif’s own speeches (dragging Zardari on the streets). Then added the bit about IK as well.
— Hasan Zaidi (@hyzaidi) September 22, 2020
Yesterday, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) lawmaker Sherry Rehman confirmed that a meeting was held between the leaders of parliamentary parties and Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa last week ahead of the All-Parties Conference,
According to Senator Rehman, the meeting which was held on the request of the army chief was convened to discuss the ‘sensitive’ issues pertaining to Gilgit-Baltistan in the wake of ‘increasing Indian aggression’.
The political issues did not come up during the meeting, said the PPP leader, adding the party agenda remained limited to the issues pertaining to the GB region. The army chief said the political parties needed to strengthen the parliamentary democracy, she admitted, refusing to give further details.
During the meeting, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari demanded ‘free and fair’ polls in Gilgit-Baltistan and urged greater representation for the people of the region, she added.
PM bars ministers from making statements
Prime Minister Imran Khan has barred his cabinet members from issuing ‘unnecessary statements’, saying a minister is not allowed to express ‘personal opinions’ in public.
During the meeting of the federal cabinet, PM Imran Khan took notice of statements issued by the ministers on multiple issues. He warned the ministers not to express an opinion in public and stopped them from delivering statements on ‘sensitive religious issues’.
Geo News said that the prime minister made these remarks in response to a complaint made by Federal Planning Minister Asad Umar over the statements made by Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari. Umar stated that Mazari often issues ‘unnecessary statements’.
“We have reservations over some statements of yours. You speak the most,” Umar called out Mazari.
At this, Federal Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed said that Mazari at times ‘imposes herself on others’. The PM said that ministers are not entitled to personal opinions because their statements reflect the government’s stance on various issues.
On Sept 17, Mazari issued a statement in response to a private member bill moved by a PTI lawmaker, seeking to criminalise the criticism of the armed forces. Mazari referring to the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill said the government had nothing to do with the bill as it was moved by a private member.