By Sarmad Ali
(Pakdestiny) Has Gen Raheel Sharif refused Nawaz Sharif’s offer of extension to his tenure of army chief and making him field martial?
“Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is afraid of the army. The PML-N cannot control army chief Gen Raheel Sharif and the government has tried to give him an extension and even a promotion,” PTI Chairman Imran Khan has alleged.
Imran’s words put water on the rumours spread by the N-Leaguers that Gen Raheel wants extension but Nawaz Sharif is not in favour of it. Through PMLN media team and anchors have been trying hard to sell this impression but finds no success.
Dawn also writes saying there has been absolutely no indication from either the government or the army chief that a scheduled change of army command will not take place in late November.
Never mind that Gen Sharif himself categorically stated in January that he would retire on time and that neither he nor the military high command has suggested anything contradictory since. All that appears to matter are the rumours and insinuations that Mr Khan apparently sees swirling around him and that he decides must be true.
Surely, this is not the way of a responsible politician. Perhaps the PTI chief, in his endless bid to oust or destabilise the PML-N government, understands the value of cynical politics: if Mr Khan breathes fresh life into old rumour, sections of the media and the political class can join in the clamour and seemingly turn the patently false into a likely possibility.
And if that rumour can give the government jitters or draw the military deeper into the political realm, then the possibility of an overreaction by either side could redound to the PTI’s advantage. But what is remotely democratic about such tactics or, indeed, how is any of it good for institutional stability?
Mr Khan has a democratic right to protest and oppose the elected government of the country.
He also has the right to share with the public his opinion on matters of national importance — but there is a line between sensible, even strident, critique and wanton disruption.
To be sure, the civil-military imbalance is real and Prime Minister Sharif and the army chief have clearly had policy differences over the past two and a half years. Yet, both have found a way to coexist and, as Gen Sharif’s term comes to an end, there is little doubt that the military is not seeking to interrupt democratic continuity.
The unfortunate and unnecessary military criticism of the political government in the wake of the Quetta bombing may have served as yet another reminder of how carefully civil-military ties need to be managed, but it has occurred against the backdrop of a scheduled, impending and orderly change of command in the army.
Mr Khan clearly believes that Nawaz Sharif is unfit to lead this country. But there remains a fundamental question to be asked of Mr Khan: is he truly ready for the responsibility of leading it? – Pak Destiny
wo tu shayed extension deny py razi ho jaen per jo aadten mian sb ki lg rahi mian sb khud 2018 tak extension ni lena chahaty
Allah kisi tarha b Pakistan ki jaan in so called mian sb se chhurra dey ..Ameeen
اس اعلان كے بعد هماري آنكهوں ميں آنسو هيں سر آپ 20 كروڑ عوام كے فادر آف دي نيشن هيں آپكي ريٹا ئيرمنٹ كا مطلب 20 كروڑ عوام كا يتيم هو جانا هے جنهيں طالبان چن چن كر ماريں گے. آپ هميں چهوڑ كر گئے تو هم اجتماعي خود كشي كريں گے
Genral Raheel shareef has given decision for his own which shows their dignity but if full nation will come on roads and request Genral Raheel shareef that to save the countary for some more time serve the army the acceptance of this request will be counted also their dignity.
Moron Imran was barking again shame on you now don’t open your mouth before confirmation of any news
Good news for all politicians,Terrorists,corrup mafia and bad news for ture Pakistani’s 😦because they seem to be losing last ray of hope. Why you left during war?Sir!you have to get extension….country need you.
Sad News. Sir please take extension. We don’t have trust on any other except you. How can we trust on Nawaz, Altaf, zardari, diesel, asfand. They are hell. You are the hope for Pakistan.
I think Raheel Shareef has enough time to clean up this mess.there should be no extension.
He should take the extension we need him pak need him 😢