Shaheed of Pakistan Army, who gave his life to protect the freedom of speech, which PPP MPAs are enjoying.

Friday, January 08, 2010

ISLAMABAD: The armed forces have taken very serious note of the rhetoric made by certain high ups including some ministers in recent days about the role of the armed forces of the country.

The high ups and the ministers have been reminded that the valiant armed forces are engaged in a war that is directly linked with the integrity and solidarity of the country. The army is highly esteemed organisation of the country that should not be dragged into the affairs in which they have got nothing to do.

The meeting between Chief of the Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and President Asif Zardari Thursday evening is significant in the backdrop of the feelings expressed by the commanders. It has been officially stated that issues related to war on terrorism came under discussion in the meeting but sources said that some other issues also cropped up in the course of discussion between the two. It is believed that the Army Chief briefed the president on the deliberations of the Corps Commanders in the meeting held at the GHQ, Rawalpindi a day earlier.

The armed forces are of the view that some officials have been talking about the issues, which were uncalled for and such could inflict damage to the efforts to eliminate terrorism. The administration has been reminded that the armed forces must be kept away from the political discussions because such practice serves the purpose of Pakistan’s adversaries.

The reaction has not been conveyed formally in dossier but the communication is very loud and clear, the sources told this scribe.

Meanwhile, the constitutional experts pointed out that a member of the Parliament stands disqualified under the article 63 of the constitution if he/she defames or brings into ridicule the judiciary or the Armed Forces of Pakistan as the constitution states under the title of “Disqualifications for membership of Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament).” Its clause (g) says, “He is propagating any opinion, or acting in any manner, prejudicial to the ideology of Pakistan, or the sovereignty, integrity or security of Pakistan, or morality, or the maintenance of public order, or the integrity or independence of the judiciary of Pakistan, or which defames or brings into ridicule the judiciary or the Armed Forces of Pakistan. The Director General of the ISPR was not available for comments when he was approached at his residence late on Thursday evening.