‘Long march aimed at making COAS appointment controversial’ | The Express Tribune

PPP Chairman and Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari on Saturday said that former prime minister and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan’s long march was aimed at making the appointment of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) controversial.

“Why did you choose Rawalpindi when your goal is real freedom? Khan sahib let this decision (appointment of COAS) happen. Let it happen this week,” he said while addressing a press conference in Islamabad.

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Bilawal said that Imran Khan wanted to link his own politics with the appointment of the army chief. “He only thinks about himself but the entire country suffers from the consequences,” he added.

He said that Pakistan Peoples Party had made such conspiracies unsuccessful in the past and will do the same this time as well. “Khan sahib wants to stop institutions to play their democratic role. He wants to play undemocratic games but we will stop him,” he said.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that the then opposition only used democratic means to oust the government of Imran Khan.

The foreign minister said Imran Khan’s election hurt Pakistan as the country’s foreign policy suffered during PTI’s tenure.

Bilawal urged Imran Khan to at least stop the “spectacle” till the appointment of the new army chief. “A watch thief is talking about real freedom… his long march has no democratic purpose,” he added.

The foreign minister said that Imran Khan had always carried out his politics on the shoulders of undemocratic forces and even offered COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa a lifelong extension but he refused.

“The future of a politician such as Imran Khan is linked with making institutions controversial. They want new elections in the country or want the army to impose martial law,” he added.

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“If Imran Khan wants real freedom, then why did he wait for this week? He wants to use the appointment of army chief for his own political benefits.”

The appointment of the army chief is an administrative decision and its completion would end the politics of many including Imran Khan. “That is why he is making last-ditch efforts. Imran Khan should postpone his long march till the appointment of the army chief,” he added.

Responding to a question regarding the role of President Dr Arif Alvi, Bilawal said that at the time of the no-confidence motion against Imran, the president committed an “unconstitutional act” by trying to dissolve the assembly but hoped that he would do everything as per law and the Constitution this time.

“This is his last chance. If he tries to do something wrong and unlawful, he will have to suffer the consequences. It is his test whether he wants to support Imran Khan or the Constitution,” he said.

To another question, he said that he has heard that Imran Khan will announce that he will go to Rawalpindi. “He is coming to repeat an old threat but we will foil his scheme this time as well,” he added.

Bilawal said he won’t advise the government to stop Imran Khan’s long march. However, he added, the PTI chief should not force the government to take such a step.