Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has sent a letter to President Dr Arif Alvi, appealing to him not just as Head of the State but also as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces to take note of “wrongdoings that undermine Pakistan’s national security”.
Upping the ante in the war of words with the establishment, Khan in his letter raised questions about the joint press conference of the Director General (DG) ISI General Nadeem Anjum and DG ISPR Lieutenant General Babar Iftikhar and asked, “How the head of Pakistan’s premier Intelligence Agency can do a public press conference?” His second question inquired how two military bureaucrats could carry out a, “highly political press conference targeting the leader of the largest and perhaps the only federal political party in Pakistan today?”
“The parameters of a military information organisation such as the ISPR also need to be clearly defined and limited to information relating to defence and military issues. As Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces I call on you to initiate the drawing up of these clear operational lines for the ISPR,” the letter stated.
Khan further said to the President said, “You are the Head of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and you must protect its democracy and its Constitution,” asking him to ensure that no person or State institution can be above the law of the land. “We have been seeing a massive abuse of citizens at the hands of rogue elements within State organisations, including custodial torture and abductions all carried out with impunity.”
“You hold the highest Office of State and I am requesting you to act now to stop the abuse of power and violations of our laws and of the Constitution, which ensures the fundamental rights of every citizen.”
Khan concluded his letter by telling Alvi to protect the country’s democracy and Constitution.
