Musharraf verdict void of humanity, religion: DG ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor on Thursday termed the Special Court’s verdict against former president Pervez Musharraf “void of humanity, religion and civilised values”.

“The today’s verdict, especially the words used in the written order transgressed “humanity, religion, culture and any other values,” he said while addressing a news conference after a detailed judgment was issued by the Special Court, sentencing the former president in a high treason case.

Following the short verdict on December 17, he said the ISPR had issued a swift statement, saying the “decision given by the Special Court has been received with lot of pain and anguish by the rank and file of Pakistan Armed Forces.”

The DG ISPR said the Pakistan Army had expressed its apprehensions, which stood true after the release of detailed judgment. He said the Armed Forces were an organised institution and its members had taken oath to sacrifice their lives for the defence and security of the motherland. “We have practically demonstrated it in the past 20 years (and) achieved what no other country or army in the world could get.”

He said the Army did make those accomplishments with the full support of nation. Currently, he added, the country was facing a hybrid war and “we are fully aware of this changing nature and character of war. We also understand the enemy, its facilitators and possible designs”.

He said the enemy wanted to destabilise the country both internally and externally, but the Armed Forces, being a national security institution, had a “complete visibility” of the entire picture that how attempts were being made to weaken Pakistan internally. “The attempts are still on….And taking advantage of that….external threats could be implemented.”

In the prevailing situation, the DG ISPR said, some elements wanted “to provoke us to fight with each other by launching internal and external attacks” with the motive to defeat Pakistan. “Since we know about the threat, our response is also in place.”

He said the Pakistan Army had handled the external attacks and the scourge of terrorism in the country in an effective manner, and “by the Grace of Allah Almighty, the current design of anti-state powers will also be countered with complete comprehension.” The DG ISPR said Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, during his recent visit to Special Services Group (SSG) Headquarters, observed: “We have travelled a long journey for stability of the country with great sacrifices rendered by the nation, institutions, including the Armed Forces, and will never let our efforts go waste.”

“The Armed Forces would never let the enemy designs to reverse that stability come what may, and stop moving towards the goal and fail both internal and external enemies,” he quoted the COAS as saying.

He said the Armed Forces were not only an institution rather a family. “We are the nation’s force, which stands firmly with the power of faith and the public support. We know how to defend our country, and also maintain the honour and integrity of the institution.”

The country, he said, was, however, first for them and the institution was secondary. “If the country today needs the institution’s sacrifices and its performance, and our (the nation’s) unity, we will not fall prey to the enemy’s conspiracies and let the things worsen.”

He said the Army chief had a detailed meeting with the Prime Minister over the detailed verdict given in Pervez Musharraf’s case. They worked out a future course of action in that regard, keeping in view the feelings of the Pakistan Army and the sentiments of the patriot Pakistanis, who knew the challenges being faced by the country, he added.

For the last few years, he said, the government and the army had been jointly working to take the country in the direction where it had no threats. “We will Insha Allah achieve that goal.” “We will not let the country slide into anarchy, keeping its integrity intact as well as that of the institution,” he said.

“The enemies will be given a befitting response whether they are internal or external or their facilitators and handlers.”