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Tag: COAS

  • Army has not received Imran Khan’s ‘letter to Gen Asim Munir’, says Wajahat Kazmi

    Army has not received Imran Khan’s ‘letter to Gen Asim Munir’, says Wajahat Kazmi

    Amid claims by the founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan’s lawyer, Faisal Chaudhry, that Khan wrote a six-point letter to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir, journalist Wajahat Kazmi quoted security sources as saying that no such letter has been sent to them.

    “Imran Khan, as party supremo and former premier, has written a six-point letter to the army chief, expressing solidarity with the military in its fight against terrorism, and acknowledging the sacrifices made by our soldiers,” Chaudhry said on Monday while speaking to media outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

    Khan’s counsel had said that the letter brought to the army chief’s attention all cases of terrorism against political leaders and the use of force against PTI workers, adding that it also expressed concern over intelligence agencies’ operations and the country’s economy.

    Chaudhry further maintained that Khan urged the army chief to reconsider policies and called for the formation of a judicial commission.

    Kazmi took to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, claiming, “Another failed attempt by Imran Khan to create a storm in a teacup. PTI is staging drama over a supposed letter to the Army Chief, but security sources confirm no such letter was received—nor will it be. The establishment has made it clear: talk to political parties, not them.”

    PTI Chairman, Barrister Gohar Ali Khan, while speaking to reporters outside Adiala Jail Rawalpindi, had stated that Imran Khan wrote a letter to General Syed Asim Munir. However, he did not confirm whether the letter was dispatched.

    Gohar said that Imran, in his letter, touched upon some of the reasons that created the perceived gap between the establishment and the public, including the 2024 elections, the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, and the recent controversial Peca Act.

    Another journalist, Ammar Solangi, claimed that Imran Khan’s letter has not been dispatched to the army chief so far.

    Solangi wrote in a post on X, “…. [Imran] Khan has asked Barrister Gohar to draft a letter to COAS. Neither the letter has been written nor dispatched so far.”

    He further claimed that the jailed former premier has no access to writing material and, therefore, cannot write a letter by himself. “The fact is that he [Imran Khan] has asked his barristers to bring him a letter as per the themes given by him. While barrister Gohar agreed, Faisal Chaudhry [Imran Khan’s lawyer] wanted the tone to be sweetened,” he added.

  • Imran Khan writes to army chief; says entire nation stands with armed forces

    Imran Khan writes to army chief; says entire nation stands with armed forces

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder Imran Khan’s lawyer Faisal Chaudhry on Monday claimed that the jailed former prime minister (PM) has written a six-point letter to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.

    “Imran Khan, as a party supremo and former premier, has written a six-point letter to the army chief, expressing solidarity with the military in its fight against terrorism, and acknowledging the sacrifices made by our soldiers,” Chaudhry said while speaking to media outside Adiala Jail in Rawalpindi.

    Chaudhry said Khan’s letter maintained that the entire nation was standing with its armed forces, and also highlighted for Gen Munir the issue of “fraudulent elections”, the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and 26th amendments besides the Al-Qadir Trust case verdict against him.

    The letter brought to the army chief’s attention all cases of terrorism against political leaders and the use of force against PTI workers, Khan’s lawyer said, adding that it also expressed concern over intelligence agencies’ operations and the country’s economy.

    Chaudhry further said that Khan, in the letter, urged the army chief to reconsider policies and called for the formation of a judicial commission.

    The development comes weeks after Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Ali Amin Gandapur and PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan met Gen Asim Munir. While speaking to media outside an Adiala Jail courtroom on January 16, Gohar had confirmed the meeting and shared the details of the same.

    “Ali Amin Gandapur and I held a meeting with the COAS, during which we outlined all of PTI’s concerns and priorities,” he had said.

    Ex-PM Khan had also confirmed the development to reporters, saying that Gohar had met the army chief in Peshawar.

    Days after this, prominent journalist Mansoor Ali Khan had revealed that PTI chief Gohar had once again held a meeting with army officials between January 21 and 22.

    Speaking on his YouTube channel, Mansoor, while revealing details of the meeting, stated that PTI demanded the release of incarcerated Khan, urging the establishment not to try him in military courts.

     Without naming names, he said, “A federal minister was also present in the meeting along with an intelligence officer. However, Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir was not there this time.”

    According to Mansoor Ali Khan, PTI leaders tried to discuss the role of the chief secretary of KP in the province. However, the meeting attendees refused to discuss it. “During the gathering, the discussion about the Public Accounts Committee also took place,” he said while referring to the recent unopposed appointment of Junaid Akbar as PAC chairman.

    As per the journalist, Gohar, along with the army officials, expressed a wish to hold another meeting in the last week of January or the first week of February, which both sides agreed upon. However, no time frame for the next meeting was announced.

    Terming the meeting cordial, Mansoor stated that the meeting attendees did not behave aggressively, and there was no row during the gathering.

  • ‘Democracy destroyed Pakistan’: Vawda all praise for army chief

    ‘Democracy destroyed Pakistan’: Vawda all praise for army chief

    Senator Faisal Vawda, known for often making tall claims and predictions in Pakistan’s politics, stated on Aaj TV on January 31 that democracy has destroyed Pakistan while calling Army Chief Gen Asim Munir a “ray of sunshine.”

    “As long as this shameless system of democracy runs in Pakistan, the same game will be played over and over again. Neither a Chief Minister nor a Prime Minister can be arrested in the name of democracy,” stated the former PTI member.

    “It is our good luck that Gen Asim Munir has taken the lead in everything, and we can see the results as well. He has no ambitions of his own, and there is no allegation on his family or himself in over 35 years of service. This is a ray of sunshine,” said Faisal Vawda optimistically.

    He further remarked that the narrative of “giving youngsters a chance” under the façade of democracy would set the country back.

    “I have learned this from the Chief [Gen Asim Munir], who is leading the country like Ronaldo, that Pakistan must be put first instead of politics. A man who is strong enough to cut down a tree isn’t afraid of its branches, so when you are in a strong position, you always take a stand,” Vawda said, praising COAS.

    The senator also took credit for stopping the purchase of 1,010 new cars for the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officials after raising concerns in a Senate Standing Committee meeting.

    During the meeting on January 30, Vawda claimed that FBR officials threatened his life when he raised the issue, stating he was prepared to provide evidence.

    He named several FBR officers and revealed he has compiled a list of 54 corrupt officials, which he is ready to share.

    FBR Chairman Rashid Langrial expressed his concern over the allegations, stating that Vawda’s complaint should be taken seriously as a parliamentarian.

    “If you received threats, I could also be at risk. This matter will not be left unchecked. It will be sent to an investigation agency for a criminal inquiry,” Langrial said.

    Faisal Vawda, while speaking to show host Shaukat Paracha, stated: “I am not a weak man that I will go to the FIA to complain against those officers who threatened me. What I’m about to say, I also said in the Senate meeting: if I am harmed even on a finger, then I will take my revenge in such a way that their seven generations would remember it.”

  • Did Tribune delete a story about German Ambassador’s letter to COAS Asim Munir?

    Did Tribune delete a story about German Ambassador’s letter to COAS Asim Munir?

    In a surprising development, The Express Tribune’s website has deleted an article by journalist Shahbaz Rana about the German Ambassador’s letter to Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir urging his intervention over the termination of an IPP deal.

    Although the article is still available in print and e-newspaper, it cannot be found anywhere on the website. Netizens wondered about the sudden disappearance of the article while also archiving it on social media.

    Shahbaz Rana revealed in the story that German Ambassador Alfred Grannas wrote to the army chief after German investor Siemens was allegedly forced to agree to a settlement for shutting down a 450 MW power plant. However, the government maintains that the agreement was a mutually negotiated settlement rather than a coerced decision.

    Rana wrote: “Siemens holds a 26 percent stake in Rousch Pakistan Power Limited, one of the five power plants whose contracts were terminated this month in an effort to reduce electricity costs by 60 paisa per unit. Germany, however, hasn’t accepted this termination but is willing to end the contract if Pakistan meets at least six conditions.”

    The German ambassador, in his letter to the COAS, stated that the “unusual manner in which these negotiations continue to be conducted is already damaging the trust of German enterprises and investors.”

    The German investor has proposed six conditions for an amicable resolution. First is the guarantee from the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Pakistan to ensure all settlement funds, currency transfers, historic and future dividends be transferred to German bank accounts. Secondly, the German investor seeks the resolution of a sales tax dispute with FBR and the withdrawal of all pending legal proceedings against the plant.

    Thirdly, it proposed that after the handover, Siemens seeks release from any ongoing maintenance or preservation obligations for the complex.
    Fourthly, an amendment in the indemnification clause in the settlement agreement should be made to include protection for all board directors.
    Fifth, board members and shareholders must be indemnified, defended, and held harmless from and against any claims or taxes related to the project and its termination. Lastly, an immediate transfer of Rs. 3.1 billion in dividend arrears to Germany as a gesture of good faith.

    It should be noted that the Rousch power plant contract has been renegotiated three times since 2000, each time resulting in less than guaranteed dividend payments to investors and shareholders.

  • US military magazine heaps praise on COAS Gen Asim Munir

    US military magazine heaps praise on COAS Gen Asim Munir

    The US Central Command (CENTCOM) magazine Unipath lauded the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir as a “forceful voice against violent extremists.”

    The magazine stated that the General will be remembered as a leader whose foremost commitment resides in the security, stability and prosperity of Pakistan.

    The article highlighted Gen Asim’s role in counterterrorism efforts, including his stance on fifth-generation warfare and capability to respond to foreign aggression, as well as socioeconomic measures.

    “Gen. Asim Munir has taken decisive action against Tehrik-i Taliban Pakistan (TTP) within Pakistan, known as Fitna al Khawarij. Under his leadership, through July 2024, 22,409 intelligence-based operations have been conducted against terrorists and their facilitators. They eliminated 398 terrorists, including 31 high-value targets,” the article stated.

    It also quoted Gen Asim’s speech to a jirga in Peshawar on August 7, 2023, in which the Gen remarked: “There is no option for these terrorists except to submit to the writ of the state of Pakistan before they are decimated if they persist on their wrong path.”

    It also mentioned that the Pakistan Army, under Gen Asim’s leadership, is fully prepared to defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the motherland.

    The Unipath magazine article highlighted how Pakistan’s “sovereignty was challenged on January 16, 2024, when Iran carried out a series of missile and drone strikes within Pakistan’s Balochistan province resulting in the deaths of two innocent children.”

    “To express its resolve and redeem its stature, on January 18, Pakistan conducted a meticulously planned and precisely targeted series of military strikes based on credible intelligence against terrorist hideouts in the Sistan-o-Baluchistan province of Iran. This operation, codenamed Marg Bar Sarmachar, resulted in the elimination of several terrorists,” stated the magazine.

    It also applauded the Chief’s role in trying to improve the economic conditions of the country through the initiative of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) and the Green Pakistan Initiative for job creation and economic development.

    Meanwhile, on Wednesday, over 60 democratic lawmakers of the United States House of Representatives called on US President Joe Biden in a letter to use Washington’s leverage with Pakistan to secure the release of incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan.

    “We write today to urge you to use the United States’ substantial leverage with Pakistan’s government to secure the release of political prisoners, including former Prime Minister Khan, and curtail widespread human rights abuses,” the letter read.

    PTI leader Qasim Khan Suri has been actively campaigning to engage with US lawmakers as he took to X to post: “Thank you, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib, Congresswoman Cori Bush, for supporting human rights & democracy in Pakistan and calling for the release of political prisoners including former Prime Minister Imran Khan.”

  • Gen Asim Munir denounces foreign-funded digital terrorism

    Gen Asim Munir denounces foreign-funded digital terrorism

    Chief of Army Staff Gen Asim Munir on Tuesday night stressed that a wave of ‘digital terrorism’ funded by foreign powers was aimed at creating a gap between state institutions and the public of Pakistan.

    Speaking at a parade at Pakistan Military Academy to mark Independence Day, the top general addressed vital issues, including the limitations of freedom of speech.

    The military is using the term digital terrorism increasingly to label its harsh critics on social media, which includes PTI activists.

    General Munir also quoted a verse from Surah Al Hujurat, stressing the importance of investigating and verifying information so it doesn’t cause panic.

    Moreover, he also discussed the security situation of the country and called on its neighbour, Afghanistan, to not choose TTP over Pakistan.

    The COAS referred to TTP as Fitna al-Khawarij for its “anti-state and anti-Sharia activities.”

  • ‘Waade, tarle, minnaten,’ What did Gen Faiz do to become the next Army Chief?

    ‘Waade, tarle, minnaten,’ What did Gen Faiz do to become the next Army Chief?

    The arrest of former spy master General (retd) Faiz Hameed came as a surprising development on Monday evening, taking most analysts by surprise. Geo’s Shahzeb Khanzada asked the Defence Minister of Pakistan, Khawaja Asif, whether Lt Gen (retd) Faiz Hamid sent messages to Mian Nawaz Sharif about his ambitions of becoming the army chief. In reply, Asif revealed, “He offered numerous assurances to Mian sb and was constantly sending messages in a bid to gain power.”

    “I cannot even tell you what kind of promises and oaths he undertook to assure them [Nawaz Sharif] – all in the lust of power and ambition,” said Asif.

    Asif lamented that when “people become blind in a bid to get power, it always ends badly,” referring to the detention of the former spymaster and court martial proceedings against him for misuse of authority.

    “They [General Bajwa & General Faiz] resisted till the last moment when the government appointed General Asim Munir. General Bajwa presented many options for the next COAS while General Faiz was campaigning for himself. Bajwa had abandoned Faiz in the last days,” revealed the defence minister.

    Khawaja Asif also stated that Faiz Hameed was involved in political events following his retirement in 2022.

    “Knowing him a little bit, he never refrains from muddling the waters. Especially [in Faiz’s case] a person who has exercised unlimited power and he has to take the back seat,” he said.

    “We can say he [Faiz] had the role of strategic adviser in the May 9 events. I can’t say that with certainty but the events and circumstances are pointing towards him,” he added.

  • US responds to Khan’s acquittal in cipher case

    US responds to Khan’s acquittal in cipher case

    The United States of America has reacted to the acquittal of founder Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Imran Khan and the party’s vice chairman Shah Mahmood Qureshi in the cipher case.

    US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller responded to a question about the case while addressing a press conference, saying that “The allegations against Imran Khan will be decided by Pakistan’s courts under their own laws.” 

    A day earlier, the Islamabad High Court (IHC) acquitted the former Prime Minister and the former foreign minister in the cipher case. Both had been accused of leaking state secrets in public after Imran Khan, then the Prime Minister, took a diplomatic cable to a rally and narrated the contents for the public.

    IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq and Justice Miangul Hassan Auranzeb heard the case and announced the short verdict.

    What is ciphergate?  

    The issue first came to light less than a month before Imran Khan’s removal from the prime minister’s office on March 27, 2022, when the PTI founder waved a letter addressing a public rally, claiming that it’s a cypher sent from a country that wanted Khan removed, later revealed to be the United States.

    The former prime minister claimed, while addressing the public, that the letter was the reason for his ouster as Prime Minister.

    Initially, Khan didn’t reveal the name of the country, but after a few days, he blamed the United States for plotting against him. The convicted former prime minister alleged that Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Affairs Donald Lu was responsible for his removal.

    Since then, Imran and his party have blamed other people and forces for his removal, including former COAS General (retd) Qamar Javed Bajwa, Nawaz Sharif, Asif Ali Zardari and Saudi Arabia.

  • No stability until May 9 Perpetrators brought to justice: Pak Army

    No stability until May 9 Perpetrators brought to justice: Pak Army

    The Pakistan Army on Thursday reiterated the call for bringing to justice the planners, perpetrators, abettors, and facilitators of the May 9 riots for the “collective good of the country”.

    According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s resolve was communicated during the 83rd Formation Commanders Conference at the General Headquarters (GHQ) presided by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir.

    “Digital terrorism unleashed against state institutions, especially Pakistan’s armed forces, is being carried out with the help of external facilitators to achieve nefarious political objectives,” said the presser.

    Furthermore, the military leadership believed that there are efforts to sow discord between the state institutions and the Pakistani nation.

    The conference concluded with the determination that, “All threats to the security and stability of the country will be thwarted with the full support of a proud nation.”

  • Khan wants General Asim Munir to apologise to him

    Khan wants General Asim Munir to apologise to him

    Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder chairman Imran Khan said in a post on X that “My abduction on the morning of May 9 was part of the London plan and Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir should apologise to me.”

    Imran Khan further said in the same post that “DG ISPR and the army chief are making political statements in a threating tone, which is affecting the army’s image.”

    “When political statements and press conferences are made, political parties have the right to respond,”  he added.

    The former Prime Minister also said that he will write a letter to COAS General Asim Munir about the economic and political situation of the money-strained country, Geo News has reported.

    While talking to journalists in Adiala jail on Monday, the former Premier said, “I will write a letter to the army chief on the [prevailing] situation in the country.”

    The remarks came about a few days after he assigned an “important responsibility” to former president Arif Alvi, who is continuously trying for better relations between PTI and the establishment.

    PTI founder assigned the responsibility of talks with the establishment to Alvi after declining the military’s demand to apologise for the May 9 violent protests. 

    On a question regarding the £190 million settlement case, the PTI founder said that Britain’s National Crime Agency (NCA) had confiscated money, finding it “suspicious transactions” but not “money laundering.”