Appointed CEC on neutrals’ assure, says IK

In an interview with journalist Imran Riaz Khan on Categorical Information, Imran mentioned that whereas the military performed an necessary half within the nation’s nationwide safety, financial stability was equally necessary.

“We’ve to decide on […] do we wish stability or a brand new military chief?” he mentioned in response to a query.

He then went on to present the instance of the Soviet Union, that in accordance with him, broke aside resulting from financial instability.

“Proper now, the extra necessary difficulty than the military chief’s appointment is stability and just one factor can convey that — elections,” Imran mentioned, highlighting that the intention needs to be to forestall Pakistan from falling into a spot the place “issues exit of hand”.

He highlighted that the markets have been tumbling, industries have been closing down and the economic system was in a freefall. “Now could be the time to determine. However this worry in Zardari and Shehbaz [of losing the elections] is sabotaging the complete nation,” the PTI chairman went on to say.

Chief of Military Workers (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, who was given an extension by the earlier PTI authorities in 2019, will go away his place on November 29 when his second three-year tenure involves an finish.

The subsequent military chief’s appointment is at occasions talked about as one of many main subplots within the ongoing political disaster engulfing the nation.

In an interview with BBC Urdu in Might, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif mentioned: “Imran Khan needed to do issues his personal means on the matter of the brand new military chief’s appointment. He needed to make sure the safety of his political pursuits and the continuity of his rule.”

The remarks have been in response to when the interviewer introduced up the impression that former prime minister Imran Khan was ousted over the brand new military chief’s appointment.

That very same month, Imran mentioned he by no means needed to convey his personal military chief and that he by no means meddled in Pakistan Military’s affairs.

However as if the appointment is seemingly on the coronary heart of the matter, President Arif Alvi had late final month mentioned in his opinion there was “no hurt” in appointing the following military chief earlier than the expiry of the incumbent’s time period.

“For my part, there isn’t any hurt in making the military chief’s appointment forward of time,” he informed reporters.

Within the interview, Imran fired broadsides on the Election Fee of Pakistan (ECP) and criticised Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sikandar Sultan Raja.

He mentioned that it was the “neutrals” — a euphemism Khan makes use of to explain the navy institution — who prompt the latter’s identify as the pinnacle of the ECP.

He mentioned that in accordance with the 18th Modification, heads of the Nationwide Accountability Bureau (NAB), ECP and caretaker governments have been alleged to be determined amicably by all of the political events.

“On the time of CEC’s appointment, there had been a impasse [among the parties]. So, the neutrals approached us and mentioned that the nation wanted to maneuver ahead.

“They prompt Sikandar Sultan’s identify. I didn’t even know him [back then]. However individuals informed us that he was PML-N’s man,” Imran recalled, saying that when he informed the impartial about this, they assured that the CEC would keep impartial.

“However we made a mistake of appointing him as a result of in all these years, from day one, he has been passing choices in opposition to us,” the PTI chief regretted.

And the worst factor the CEC did was create hurdles within the approval of the digital voting machines (EVM), he continued.

“He did his finest to oppose them and so did the opposite two events (PML-N and PPP) as a result of they’re consultants at rigging,” Imran mentioned, including that PTI would file a reference in opposition to the CEC within the Supreme Judicial Council.

He added that regardless of having all of the proof proper in entrance of his eyes, Raja refused to intervene. “How can he let votes be purchased? He has no disgrace.”