ISPR spokesman calls WikiLeaks revelations baseless, says army supports civilian leadership. PHOTO: EPA
ISLAMABAD:?Pakistan’s military backs the country’s civilian leadership, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesman said on Saturday, after leaked US diplomatic cables highlighted the army’s power in the country.
“The army has a demonstrated policy of supporting the?political process within the confines of the constitution of?Pakistan,” said military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas,?in what he referred to as a response to queries about the?cables.
Talking to the media in Islamabad, DG ISPR said the Wikileaks revelations about the Army Chief are baseless.
A March 12, 2009 cable by former American ambassador to?Pakistan Anne Patterson released by WikiLeaks shows the army’s?influence in the country.
Patterson had been meeting army chief General Ashfaq?Kayani during a political crisis in which a long march planned?by lawyers could have threatened President Asif Ali Zardari’s?government.
According to the dispatch, Kayani hinted again that he?might have to persuade Zardari to resign “if the situation?sharply deteriorates”.
Kayani, a former head of the Inter-Services Intelligence?(ISI) agency, has said he would keep the army out of politics?and would support democracy.
“Kayani made it clear that regardless of how much he disliked Zardari, he distrusted Nawaz even more. The scenario?Kayani hinted at was one in which he would pressure Zardari to?resign (and presumably leave the country),” Patterson said in?the cable.
Abbas said Kayani “holds all national leaders in esteem”, including Sharif.
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