Pakistan’s defence minister Khawaja Asif may lose his job for making anti-army statement.

Islamabad, April 14/Nationalturk- After his anti-army statement, which angered the powerful institution in Pakistan, country’s defence minister Khawaja Asif may lose his job as pressure is building on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to sack him.

Khawaja had targeted the army while criticising Pakistan’s former military ruler and president General (Retd) Parvez Musharraf, who is facing treason trial.

He had said Musharraf had betrayed his oath as a soldier and also termed him traitor. His statement was damaging the institution of the military and undermining troop morale.

Asif holds the portfolios for defence and water and power ministry.

His statement prompted Pakistan Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, who was handpicked by PM Nawaz Sharif, to issue a strong worded statement saying, “Pakistan Army upholds the sanctity of all institutions and would resolutely preserve its own dignity and institutional pride”.

In response to General’s statement, Pakistan defence minister said, “Parliament is the supreme organ of the state and all other institutions are accountable to it. Parliament was a supreme organ of the state and that it would preserve its dignity and also respect all the other institutions”.

Army top brass not happy with Defence Minister

Sources said army top brass had expressed its resentment with PM over Defence Minister’s statement and demanded his head.

“There is a growing feeling within the military that his presence may not auger well for a ‘smooth’ civil-military relationship.  It is not easy for the army to work with a defence minister who is making such unwarranted statements,” a security official was quoted as saying by Pakistan newspaper, Express Tribune.

Sources said Prime Minister Nawaz may keep the defence ministry’s portfolio with himself. He was holding it before giving the portfolio to Khawaja Asif.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has admitted for the first time that there was rift between military and the government.

“Irritants have been created at some stages but we will get over them and we are right on the line,” the minister said.

Musharraf’s party demands sacking of Khawaja Asif

Musharraf’s party  The All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) has demanded the defence minister’s resignation.

“Asif’s position had become untenable and his presence as defence minister was detrimental to the morale of the Armed Forces,” Chaudhry Sarfraz Anjum Kahlon – political advisor to Musharraf – has said.

Pakistan’s senior politician and PML-Q President, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain has demanded action against the ministers who are making statements against army.

“The constitution allows action against those individuals who make statements against the judiciary and army,” he had said adding country’s former military ruler Parvez Musharraf was not a traitor.

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Asia News/ NationalTurk Pakistan News