Major General Ahmed Sharif, the head of the Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), has firmly dismissed any rumors of impending martial law in Pakistan, asserting the army’s unity under the command of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir.
In response to recent speculations about resignations within the military, the country’s leading military spokesperson firmly denied these claims, branding them groundless.
In an interview with a private TV channel, he emphasized that the army remains unified and devoted to its mission despite attempts at internal and external propaganda.
The DG ISPR assured that the military leadership, including the army chief, is fully committed to upholding the principles of democracy in the country. He stressed the army’s unwavering unity as an enduring pillar of the nation’s stability and security.
Major General Ahmed Sharif further emphasized that the army will continue to counteract false narratives or attempts to destabilize its unity. He urged the public and media to rely on information from official sources rather than unfounded rumors.
His statements arrive in the midst of recent social media rumors about a possible imposition of martial law in the country.
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Following the apprehension of ex-prime minister Imran Khan by the Rangers on Tuesday, there were rumors of potential resignations within the military.
However, such rumors have been laid to rest with the chief military spokesperson’s statement.
These comments come on the heels of the top court’s decision declaring Imran Khan’s arrest from the premises of the IHC as illegal and ordering the immediate release of the PTI chief.
In the wake of Imran Khan’s arrest, the PTI lodged a Supreme Court complaint against the arrest as violent protests broke out nationwide, leading to attacks on security personnel and arson of military and civil properties.
Imran Khan, a cricket legend-turned-politician who was ousted as prime minister in April 2022 following a parliamentary no-confidence vote, remains Pakistan’s most popular leader according to opinion polls.
PTI supporters have wreaked havoc, targeting military establishments, setting a state broadcaster building on fire, vandalizing buses, ransacking the residence of a top army official, and attacking other assets. This has resulted in nearly 2,000 arrests and a call for army intervention.
Read: The army doesn’t support any political party or ideology: DG ISPR
According to Reuters, the violence, which has resulted in at least eight fatalities, has exacerbated the country’s instability and dashed hopes for the resumption of a crucial International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.
The army, as Pakistan’s most dominant institution, has held power for nearly half of the country’s 75-year history through three coups. It has issued a stern warning against further attacks on its assets and described the violence as “pre-planned