Pakistan
'Don’t want an army chief of my choice': Imran Khan
The PTI chief reiterates the pick should be based on merit and continues to criticise Sharifs over COAS appointment
Lala Musa: Former prime minister and PTI Chairman Imran Khan on Staurday said he didn't want the army chief of hos choice, but the appointment of the army chief on merit.
“I say that the army chief should be appointed on merit. I don’t want an army chief, judge, IG, or NAB head of my choice. I want the best people on the basis of merit”, he said in a televised address to the participants of the PTI's long march.
Khan once again criticised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for discussing the army chief's appointment with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo Nawaz Sharif in London, saying the "country's important decisions are being taken abroad."
The former premier said that key decisions were being taken by those who have looted the country’s wealth for the past 30 years.
Rejecting allegations that he made the appointment of the army chief controversial, Imran said: “I never made it controversial."
PTI resumed its long march from Punjab's Lala Musa today as PTI leader Asad Umar reached Jhang to lead a parallel march.
PTI Chairman Imran Khan has been leading public rallies to demand snap elections since his ouster by a joint opposition. However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has rejected the demand, saying the election will be held as scheduled later next year.
On Friday, the PTI long march crossed Toba Tek Singh and Gujrat after it was resumed from Wazirabad on Thursday.
Addressing his supporters via video link, Imran held both Nawaz Sharif and his brother Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif responsible for destroying institutions to safeguard their looted wealth.
He accused Nawaz of corrupting the police and judges, and trying "to buy the generals in the 90s to bring the army under his influence."
"They introduced corruption in the system to control Pakistan and later Nawaz left the country after striking a deal with Pervez Musharraf,” he added.
COAS’ appointment: PTI chief again talks of merit, meritocracy
He also accused “handlers” of making Shehbaz the PM of Pakistan through a conspiracy.
The country's institutions have denied these allegations.