No threat to democracy, assures Pakistan Army chief

[Xeric]

http://www.newkerala.com/news/2011/worldnews-132757.html

No threat to democracy, assures Pakistan Army chief

Islamabad, Dec 23 : There was no threat to democracy in Pakistan, said the country's powerful army chief General Ashfaq Kayani Friday, a day after Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani insisted that conspiracies were being hatched to oust the government.

General Kayani said the army would continue to support the democratic process, reported Geo News.

The army chief was speaking in Mohmand Agency where two dozen Pakistani soldiers were killed in Nov 26 NATO airstrikes.

Gen. Kayani said rumours of a military takeover were false and were being spread to divert attention from the real issues facing the country.

The spectre of a clash between the army and the government haunted Pakistan after Gilani Thursday said conspiracies were being hatched to oust the elected Pakistani government from power.

Gilani insisted that "nobody is above the law" and all institutions in the country are "subservient to parliament".

"There cannot be a state within a state. Nobody can say that he is not under the government," Gilani said at a photo expo.

He said: "Conspiracies are being hatched to pack up an elected government."

In the National Assembly, he reaffirmed the supremacy of parliament.

"Every institution of this country, including the ministry of defence, is under the prime minister of Pakistan," Gilani said.

"We have the highest respect and regard for the army as they have stood firmly against the terrorists."

"If they say they are not under the ministry of defence, then we should get out of this slavery, then this parliament has no importance, this system has no importance, then you are not sovereign," he told the National Assembly.

Pakistan's defence ministry Wednesday admitted in the Supreme Court that it does not have operational control over the military and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

The Supreme Court is hearing the case about a secret memo sent to Washington that claimed President Asif Ali Zardari feared a military coup following the May 2 killing of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in the Abbottabad town by US Marine commandos.

The defence ministry's one-page reply said it was not in a position to submit any reply on behalf of the armed forces and the ISI.

Pakistani-American businessman Mansoor Ijaz had revealed about the secret memo that said President Asif Ali Zardari had feared a military coup following the May 2 killing of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden. It led to the resignation of Pakistan's ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani. Former minister Sherry Rehman was then appointed the new US envoy. (IANS)

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Kayun ji..hun aram aye...?

 

[Areesh]

There wasn't any threat from Army to this govt no matter how inept and pathetic it is. The fact is that it is a kind of blackmailing when ever someone tries to oppose this govt on corruption or scandals like memo gate. With a total failure to deliver to the people of Pakistan the only last chance for this govt is to keep whining about "powerful army" and expected military coup till the they complete their five years. Obviously in this manner it gets support of other political parties, media and liberal fascists and it's incompetence and corruption gets neglected in all this hue and cry.

 

[Jango]

There definitely is no danger to democracy, there definitely was no danger to democracy.

The PPP government knows, that it won't get elected next term, and has a really bad image. So, to make itself a image of mazloom, they are playing this card, that the army is after their heads and all that BS.

I congratulate the COAS that he came out with a very clear cut message, and no ambiguities about it, and said in straight terms, that there is no danger.

The public does not matter if democracy is getting fVcked up, all it wants are basic necessities of life!

 

[Xeric]

There definitely is no danger to democracy, there definitely was no danger to democracy.

The PPP government knows, that it won't get elected next term, and has a really bad image. So, to make itself a image of mazloom, they are playing this card, that the army is after their heads and all that BS.

I congratulate the COAS that he came out with a very clear cut message, and no ambiguities about it, and said in straight terms, that there is no danger.

The public does not matter if democracy is getting fVcked up, all it wants are basic necessities of life!

There wasn't any threat from Army to this govt no matter how inept and pathetic it is. The fact is that it is a kind of blackmailing when ever someone tries to oppose this govt on corruption or scandals like memo gate. With a total failure to deliver to the people of Pakistan the only last chance for this govt is to keep whining about "powerful army" and expected military coup till the they complete their five years. Obviously in this manner it gets support of other political parties, media and liberal fascists and it's incompetence and corruption gets neglected in all this hue and cry.

In short, the PPP govt is all set to become a Shaheed i.e. another military takeover ---> another excuse for the PPP thugs to put up a fight in the next elections; 'See, we were not given the chance to serve the country properly as the military kicked us out again, vote for us again, and this time we will actually serve you by the books....blah blah blah..

 

[foxbat]

The way most members here speak for the intentions and plans of the army, it seems half of them are working for the COAS directly..

 

[LEGENDARY WARRIOR]

No threat to democracy, assures Pakistan Army chief [newKerala.com News # 132757]

No threat to democracy, assures Pakistan Army chief

Islamabad, Dec 23 : There was no threat to democracy in Pakistan, said the country's powerful army chief General Ashfaq Kayani Friday, a day after Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani insisted that conspiracies were being hatched to oust the government.

General Kayani said the army would continue to support the democratic process, reported Geo News.

It means now there is...

 

[Devil Soul]

The way most members here speak for the intentions and plans of the army, it seems half of them are working for the COAS directly..

U neva know

 

[Jango]

In short, the PPP govt is all set to become a Shaheed i.e. another military takeover ---> another excuse for the PPP thugs to put up a fight in the next elections; 'See, we were not given the chance to serve the country properly as the military kicked us out again, vote for us again, and this time we will actually serve you by the books....blah blah blah..

Exactly this. They want to get votes through sympathy, like when they got them after the killing of BB.

 

[Sugarcane]

Let these bastards complete their term - don't let them become SIASI SHAHEED

 

[Lankan Ranger]

 

[Areesh]

The way most members here speak for the intentions and plans of the army, it seems half of them are working for the COAS directly..

We might not work for COAS but we know the politicians of Pakistan and particularly this PPP.

 

[OrionHunter]

It doesn't seem that there's complete democracy in Pakistan otherwise why would the defence minister say that the government has no control over the Army/ISI?

It is vital to promote legislative measures which establish the fundamental basis for the correct relationship between the Army and civil society within a democratic system, and the necessary subordination of the Army to civilian rule. The Army should accept that sovereignty resides in the people of Pakistan. As a consequence, the Army should reconcile itself to the mechanisms established in the Constitution.

The Army needs to be subordinate to political power, which emanates from the ballot box through the procedures established by the Constitution and should show respect for the Constitution in all its aspects.

Finally, the Army needs to be apolitical. It should remain at the margins of party politics and respect all those political forces legally constituted.

I don't think this is happening in Pakistan. The equation between the Army and the political structure does need fine tuning. Otherwise it cannot be called a democracy in the true sense.

 

[SQ8]

It would have been better "phrased" if the statement said that :"The army is a part of the government and subservient to parliament".. its best not to give wannabe martyrs room to use what has been a problem in the past to protect its own hide.

 

[I spikes therefore I am]

Better Pakistan adopt new policy like both democratic party and military can rule the country one after other. First 5yrs democratic rule next term military then again democratic so on. I think its not a bad idea and it may satisfy power hunger at all levels.

 

[Xeric]

It doesn't seem that there's complete democracy in Pakistan otherwise why would the defence minister say that the government has no control over the Army/ISI?

i like the way you guys give a spin to the words. You know what, after the NATO attack on the Pakistani checkposts, the US State Dept concluded as a post-management strategy that the President should apologies for the act, but it was the Pentagon and the guys in Langley who opposed the idea and a formal apology was never delivered, instead another game was spun, as shown by the inquiry report. So, guess what, i didnt see you or your ilks speaking of this (the US military and intelligence) as being ultra-vires and the US lacking 'complete democracy',......hypocrisy right?

It is vital to promote legislative measures which establish the fundamental basis for the correct relationship between the Army and civil society within a democratic system, and the necessary subordination of the Army to civilian rule. The Army should accept that sovereignty resides in the people of Pakistan. As a consequence, the Army should reconcile itself to the mechanisms established in the Constitution.

The Army needs to be subordinate to political power, which emanates from the ballot box through the procedures established by the Constitution and should show respect for the Constitution in all its aspects.

Finally, the Army needs to be apolitical. It should remain at the margins of party politics and respect all those political forces legally constituted.

I don't think this is happening in Pakistan. The equation between the Army and the political structure does need fine tuning. Otherwise it cannot be called a democracy in the true sense.

BTW, the news is regarding the loose talk by Gillani and the clearance by the military thereafter, so let's stay to that, there's no need of beating the dead horse of 'Army runs everything in Pakistan' every time and everywhere on every thread.