No martial law threat in Pak, clarifies Army

Pakistan military has said that there was no threat of a martial law in the country.

Chief military spokesperson Major General Asif Ghafoor said democracy was not under threat from the Army but there can be a threat to democracy “if its requirements are not met.”

Addressing a news conference here last evening, General Ghafoor said: “The government needs to continue and the established democratic system needs to continue. I have to say this because there are a lot of rumours about martial law and the technocratic government.”

The spokesperson was asked about Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal criticisism on his (General Asif’s) comments on the state of country’s economy.

On Friday, Mr Iqbal– who also holds the portfolio of planning and development — said the military spokesperson should not be commenting on the national economy, adding that “irresponsible statements will bring disrepute to the country.” The established democratic system needs to continue. I have to say this because there are a lot of rumours about martial law.

Maj. Gen. Asif Ghafoor,

Before General Ghafoor presented his views on a television channel, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa had addressed a business and trade conference in Karachi, presenting his views about the state of the economy and pointing out the weaker areas.

All this was probably taken by the civilian government as an intrusion in the economic affairs by the army, which is already believed to have a strong influence on country’s foreign and security policies.