Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani is
reported to have rejected suggestions for an army takeover of the
country at the last Corps Commanders' meeting.
According to The
News and the Pakistan Tribune, some corps commanders had argued for an
army takeover as being inevitable, given the prevailing chaotic
situation in the country and the failure of the political leadership.
The discussion is believed to have taken place at the Corps Commanders' meeting held on September 8.
Significantly, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) did not issue a press release at the end of the meeting.
However, a senior military official has denied the reports, saying they are not true.
The
papers quoted informed sources, as saying that quite a few participants
of the meeting thought a military takeover was the only way to steer
the country out of the multiple crisis, as the political leadership has
failed the masses.
But General Kayani, together with some
others, urged restraint and patience, saying the civilian government
should be given more time to tackle burning issues.
Incidentally,
Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, during a visit to Karachi, said that
if the government failed to deliver, others would take over - an
oblique reference to the army. President Asif Ali Zardari also thought
it wise to issue a statement advising his rival Nawaz Sharif to remain
respectful to the armed forces instead of making them controversial.
Supreme
Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, during the hearing of
the Karachi suo moto case, also urged the civilian government to
deliver and not give excuses to the khakis for a takeover. (ANI)
