Leaks issue settled as tweet withdrawn

RAWALPINDI/ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army on Wednesday said the issue of DawnLeaks had been resolved and the tweet after issuance of the notification from the Prime Minister's Office had been withdrawn.

The army, while commending efforts of the government in removing misunderstandings with regard to the Leaks issue, expressed the resolve to uphold the Constitution of Pakistan and support the democratic process in the country.

The Pakistan Army, through a press release and later at a press conference addressed by Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor, announced the withdrawal of tweet post on April 29, saying the Leaks issue had been settled. “The tweet issued on April 29 was not aimed at any government office or any person. Recommendations as contained in para 18 of the report duly approved by the prime minister have been implemented, which has settled the Leaks issue,” the ISPR said.

The decision to withdraw the tweet was taken during an important meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa. The meeting was also attended by Director General ISI Lieutenant General Naveed Mukhtar, Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar and Finance Minister Ishaq Dar.

“Pakistan Army reiterates its resolve to uphold Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and support the democratic process,” the ISPR said.

Major General Asif Ghafoor told the press conference that the Pakistan Army would continue to play its role like other institutions of the country and there was nothing going on against the democratic process. “What happened following issuance of press release on April 29 was regrettable as army and government were brought against each other in comments made after the release,” the DG ISPR said.

He said the prime minister is the final authority, adding that the new notification has addressed all reservations. He said everybody made two sides after April 29 tweet but it was not meant for creating sides. “Today, the Ministry of Interior has removed misunderstandings and what was incomplete has been completed,” he said.

He said today the country was moving towards the good period but some elements were making last efforts to deteriorate the environment. “Today, we are in era of 20-20 match and playing last overs and have to win the match before completion of 20 overs,” he said. The DG ISPR said the army commends the role of the government in removing misunderstandings regarding the Leaks issue. “The tweet post nowadays is latest and fastest way of sending any messages,” he said.

He said that according to their understanding, the notification was to be issued by the Ministry of Interior, saying the press release issued on April 29 was regarding incomplete notification. 

Talking about shelling on the Pak-Afghan border, Asif Ghafoor said Pakistani troops had to respond in self-defence to firing started by the Afghan forces. He said there are two villages on border which are divided in two countries. “Our people were busy in the census activity when they were fired upon by Afghan forces,” he said, adding that Afghans were Pakistan’s brothers but the firing had to be responded in self-defence.

General Asif Ghafoor, about baseless allegations from India about mutilation of dead bodies of their troops, said the Pakistan Army was highly professional. “In the past, we returned their personnel who mistakenly crossed the border,” he said.

Referring to the issue of Noreen Leghari, he said that 19-year-old student was not terrorist rather she was going to become a terrorist and she was saved timely. “She was brainwashed but we saved her timely from becoming a terrorist,” he said. “Should we punish our daughter if she is going to become a terrorist,” he questioned.

Asif Ghafoor said Ehsanullah Ehsan was not being presented as a hero and he would be treated according to the law.

About India spy Kulbhushan Yadav, the DG ISPR said he was convicted by the Field General Court Martial. “The Foreign Ministry can respond to the question about India’s appeal with the International Court of Justice,” he said.

Earlier, General Qamar Javed Bajwa had an important meeting with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif at the Prime Minister's House.

Highly-placed sources told The News that army chief assured the prime minister that armed forces are highly disciplined institution of the country and staunchly believe in the rule of law and the Constitution. He reminded that since the country is passing through a sensitive period and the intrigues have been hatched by the enemies of the motherland, it’s imperative that any situation that could help them in their nefarious designs must be avoided. The sources said that Nawaz Sharif appreciated the role of the armed forces in combating terrorism and fighting the enemies of the country in a valiant manner. He was in agreement with the views earlier expressed by the army chief. The two also appreciated their respective aides in helping to resolve the dispute that wasn’t their creation. 

The participants also discussed the ongoing operation Raddul Fasaad against the terrorists and extremists in the country. Nawaz Sharif lauded the sacrifices of the armed forces and their successes in the operation. The situation across the international frontiers also came under discussion. The sources said that the prime minister briefly discussed with the army chief about his upcoming visit to China and Saudi Arabia. The meeting that lasted for about two hours took place in a cordial and pleasant ambiance.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior issued recommendations of the Leaks inquiry committee approved by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

According to a press release of the ministry, the committee suggested that there was a need to develop a code of conduct for the print media, especially when dealing with issues relating to the security of Pakistan. The committee recommended that the role of daily Dawn/Zafar Abbas/Cyril Almeida in the instant case might be referred to the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) with the direction to take disciplinary action against them, besides developing a code of conduct for publishing stories on issues of national importance and security by abiding to the basic journalistic and editorial norms.

"Due to reasons referred to previous sections, the action already taken by the federal government against Senator Pervaiz Rashid is endorsed," said the press release.

The committee unanimously agreed that Rao Tehsin Ali had not displayed the required level of professionalism and had shown carelessness while dealing with the issue, and recommended that he, being a civil servant, might be proceeded against under the Efficiency and Discipline Rules 1973. Due to reasons referred in the previous sections, the committee recommended removal of Tariq Fatemi from his current portfolio. "Since action on orders of the prime minister has already been completed by the respective ministries and divisions, the issue of the Leaks stands settled," it added.