GILGIT BALTISTAN:
Prime Minister Imran Khan once again reiterated his complete support to the army chief, Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, as well as head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Gen Faiz Hameed, on Sunday.
The premier was addressing the nation during his visit to Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) on the region’s 73rd Independence Day, where he paid tribute to the Gilgit Scouts and all others who sacrificed their lives to gain independence in the area.
The PM’s support for the chief of army staff and DG ISI came in an apparent response to Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz MNA Ayaz Sadiq’s speech in the National Assembly wherein he insinuated that Pakistan handed Indian pilot Abhinandan Vartaman back to India, in February 2019, ‘under pressure’ of the latter attacking Pakistan.
“I thank God that if they [opposition] are talking against them [COAS, DG ISI] then my decision to select them was right,†he said. “I must have taken the right decision if the thieves are talking against them,†the PM further added.
The prime minister likened the PML-N leader’s comments to the traitorous acts of Mir Sadiq and Mir Jaffer. He said it was traitors like Mir Sadiq and Mir Jaffer who weakened Muslim rulers in the region, who otherwise were known for giving befitting responses to all kinds of challenges.
He said the opposition had resorted to a narrative that was damaging to the state all because “I refused to give them an NRO on their corruptionâ€.
Pointing to the security personnel standing guard at the ceremony, the premier appreciated the role they have played in combating terrorism in the country in the past 15 years. He said the country would not have survived had they [security forces] not laid down their lives.
