Army won’t hold dialogue with any political party, reiterates senior defence source

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Army will not hold any dialogue with any political party, including the PTI, as the institution has already stated its stance that it is for the political parties to discuss politics, hold dialogue, and give and take concessions, a senior defence source said.

Talking to The News, on condition of not being named, the source, when asked about the speculation about a possible deal between the PTI and the military establishment, said the army has nothing to do with any such matter. “It is for the political parties to discuss such matters,”, the source said, adding that the army had made its position clear in a press conference addressed by the ISPR DG Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif in May this year.

The source reminded that when the ISPR DG was asked about the possibility of any deal in May, he had reiterated that the army has no political role. “The army is apolitical and its relationship with every government is in accordance with the Constitution and law,” he had clarified.

“All political parties are respectable for us. However, if any political group attacks its own army, no one will interact with it. The only way for such an anarchist group is to apologise to the nation, promise to shun the politics of hatred and do constructive politics,” he had said, and stressed, “In any case, such a dialogue should take place between political parties. It is not appropriate for the army to be involved.”

The source said that the military’s policy, as announced earlier, remains unchanged, adding it is for the political parties to discuss political matters.The News interaction with the defence source shows that if Imran Khan and the PTI want to seek any relief or concession, the only way forward for them is to talk to the political parties, including those representing the government, and not the army or its chief.