Army Rejects Gillani Claims - Gillani sacks Defence Secretary

[Lankan Ranger]

Pakistan PM sacks Secretary Defence; Army calls emergency meeting

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Wednesday sacked Secretary Defence Khalid Naeem Lodhi, DawnNews reported. In a related development, the army chief summoned an emergency meeting of the corps commanders.

The prime minister revoked Lodhi’s contract and handed over the additional charge of secretary defence to Nargis Sethi. Furthermore, DawnNews quoted sources as saying that the military high command had appointed Brigadier Sarfaraz Ali commander of the 111 brigade.

Prime Minister Gilani’s office said in a statement that Lodhi was fired for “gross misconduct and illegal action which created misunderstanding” between state institutions.

The army earlier said the defence ministry had failed to process its submissions made to a Supreme Court inquiry into a controversial unsigned memo that sought US help in curbing the power of the military.

That failure triggered a row between the country’s military and civilian leadership, with the prime minister earlier in the week telling Chinese media the army top brass had acted unlawfully in failing to consult it.

Moreover, Lodhi was regarded as having more power than the defence minister because of his direct ties to the army high command.

PM sacks Secretary Defence; COAS calls emergency meeting | Pakistan | DAWN.COM

 

[seethru]

ISLAMABAD: A confrontation between the army and the government came to a head in Pakistan on Wednesday with the powerful army chief warning that the Prime Minister's critical remarks against him and the ISI chief over the memo scandal could have "very serious ramifications" for the country.

Reacting sharply to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's contention that the army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and ISI chief Lt Gen Ahmed Shuja Pasha had acted in an illegal manner in the memo scandal, a terse army statement said these remarks could have "very serious ramifications with potentially grievous consequences".

"There can be no allegation more serious than what the honourable prime minister has levelled against COAS and DG ISI (army chief and spy chief) and has unfortunately charged the officers for violation of the constitution of the country," said the army's statement.

"This has very serious ramifications with potentially grievous consequences for the country."

Just minutes after the strongly worded warning by the army, Gilani sacked defence secretary Lt Gen (retired) Khalid Naeem Lodhi, considered close to the army chief, marking an escalation in the row.

The fast-paced developments came as the government was on a collision course with the judiciary too, with the Supreme Court warning yesterday that action could be taken against both the President and Prime Minister for failing to act on a court order to reopen corruption case against President Asif Ali Zardari.

Earlier, Zardari made it clear that he did not intend to resign even as an urgent session of parliament has been called to consider the situation.

Zardari through his spokesman refuted reports that he had offered to resign at a meeting of his Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and its allies late last night.

Two days after Gilani had said that the army and ISI chiefs had filed affidavits on the memo issue in the Supreme Court without obtaining the government's permission, the powerful military said there could be "no allegation more serious" than that made by the premier.

Gilani had made the remarks during an interview with the online edition of China's state-run People's Daily on Monday.

He said replies filed by army chief Kayani and ISI chief Pasha to the Supreme Court in connection with the alleged memo did not have the approval of the competent authority as required under the rules of business.

He further said no formal proposal seeking the approval of the competent authority for these two replies was initiated by the defence ministry.

No approval was obtained for the replies from the defence minister and any official action by a government functionary without the government's prior approval is "unconstitutional and illegal", Gilani had said.

Sources said the military leadership had gathered details about Gilani's remarks during the interview.

The matter was then assessed by Kayani and top army commanders on Tuesday so that the military could issue a formal response, the sources said.

The military statement contended that Gilani's remarks did not "take into account" some "important facts".

It further contended that the army and ISI chiefs were not responsible for obtaining approval for the replies they had sent to the Supreme Court.

The statement said the army and ISI chiefs were named as respondents in petitions filed in the apex court regarding the alleged memo and the court had "served notices directly to the respondents".

This was not objected to by the attorney general, it said. The responses of the army and ISI chiefs were sent to the defence ministry for submission to the Supreme Court through the attorney general.


Crisis in Pak: Gilani sacks defence secy, army warns PM - The Times of India

 

[CaptainJackSparrow]

Interesting.

This after the PM's remark about Pasha and Kayani's statements in the SC.

Do we have a coup coming?

 

[Sinnerman108]

In other words, COAS is inquiring

Gilani, you've taken your pill right, cose I am in no mood for putting on any latex

 

[OrionHunter]

a terse army statement said these remarks could have "very serious ramifications with potentially grievous consequences".

Does that mean a coup??

Anyway, it's time for Zardari's lame duck government to throw in the towel and call it a day. They've been bumbling along for far too long!! Let the PA take over to sort out the mess and call for elections thereafter.

 

[Leader]

ladies and gentleman please welcome the first independent civilian lady Secretary defence Nargis Sethi to office.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

ladies and gentleman please welcome the first independent civilian lady Secretary defence Nargis Sethi to office.

That is good in itself. Just like the civilian lady Foreign Minister.

 

[batmannow]

should had done it 2 years before, so that this political & judicial mafia couldbe controld, i guss chief has learnt his lessons, that
snakes cant become good pets

 

[Safriz]

Honorable Prime minister?
if he had any honour he wouldnt have poty mouthed a COAS who is out to strengthen Pakistans defence.

 

[Safriz]

 

[Leader]

bell the cat, bell the cat !!

 

[prabhakar]

allegations against the army whether it is right or not by PM don't give the license to army to make a coup.

 

[Leader]

dhun..dhun....dhun..dhun....dhun..dhun....DHUN.DHUN.DHUN.DHUN.DHUN.DHUN...AAAAARGH (jaws theme music playing everywhere in Pakistan

 

[pakistanitarzan]

Yes, coup is on it's way. Haha! Hell to the yeah! Coup baby! Military power! Woooooooooooooooo!

 

[batmannow]

PA shouldnt be cleaning dirty dishes(elections) any more!
cause it never, going to solve problems, of our nation, the best option could be to put a national govt, with most wise, honnest & respectfull persons & professionals at lest for, the comming 5 years.
so that as a punishment, our politicians can remember, they cant be given the open permission, to disable the country as much times they want?