Only talked about appointment of COAS on merit: Imran Khan

Our Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman and former prime minister Imran Khan has clarified that he did not talk about the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa’s extension but urged to maintain merit and defer the appointment of the army chief until fresh elections. Imran Khan clarified his previous statement related to the new army chief’s appointment that he delivered during an interview with a private news channel yesterday. While talking to journalists today, Khan said, “I have always talked about merit. I had said that the army chief’s appointment should be made on merit but Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari are not eligible to approve the important appointment.” The former prime minister added that the military is the only institution in the country which is insulated from politics and where appointments are not made on a political basis. Rather, merit is prioritized. Asked if he has ties with the country’s establishment, Imran said that if the establishment talks in favor of Pakistan’s interests, then I like them because I, too, talk about strengthening Pakistan. Imran Khan has warned that he would issue a call for protests later in September unless his demand for immediate elections is accepted. He said that if fresh elections are not called immediately, he will issue a call to his supporters to stage countrywide protests. He reiterated that delays in elections were not acceptable. Further clarifying his comments on elections, he said there is a need for the flood waters to drain from large parts of Pakistan. He added that if elections are deferred until such a time that flood waters are drained, then he was willing to wait until that time. Asked that there is a possibility that Nawaz Sharif may return soon, Imran said that he too was waiting for Nawaz to return. He noted that there would be such a welcome of Nawaz that had never been seen before. Imran Khan said that the country’s economic condition is worst. “The only solution to this crisis-like situation is the immediate conduct of the general elections,” he maintained. He said that the government formed with the help of public mandate can deal with all challenges. “If they will push me to the wall, I may make public the names of those involved in the regime change operation,” he added. The PTI chairman said that a few people had headed the country towards the destruction for personal interests. He said that he had packed his luggage when people were coming to arrest him. He said that the Punjab IGP will be replaced soon. Talking about merit and nepotism, he stated that when they come to power, most parties reward their family or friends through critical appointments.