RAWALPINDI – In maiden remarks on ongoing Islamabad sit-in that has disrupted life in Islamabad and Rawalpindi over two weeks, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) DG Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor said that the army will follow the decision made by the government to tackle the issue.
Talking to a private TV channel on Wednesday, the military’s spokesperson said it is better to settle the situation through peaceful means, adding that the army would act upon whatever the decision is taken by the government.
He said that civil and military leaderships were on the same page regarding the security of the country, adding that the army was bound to implement the government’s instructions.
The ISPR’s statement follows Opposition Leader in the National Assembly, Khursheed Shah statement in which he had suggested that the government should seek help from military leadership to settle the ongoing sit-in by religious parties through dialogue.
Talking to the media, the Pakistan Peoples Party leader had said that the government could talk and call the armed forces (for help of civilians) under the constitution.
A protest by the religious parties, including Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasulallah and Sunni Tehreek, has entered its 18th day on Thursday after the government failed to woo the protesters.
They are staging a protest against the amendment in Khatam e Nabuuwat clause in the recently passed Election Bill 2017. The same has been restored by the government through another amendment.
But, the protesters are demanding removal of Law Minister Zahid Hamid for getting approval for the amendment from the parliament.
The Supreme Court has also taken suo moto notice on the Islamabad protest and sought report from the government.
