The political huddle in London could not choose Army chief General QamarJaved Bajwa’s successor, it was learnt on Thursday.
The meeting, however, decided that the government would not succumb to anypressure from any quarters regarding the new military chief, including PTIChairman Imran Khan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif along with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif andothers, who are in London in order to seek “guidance” from PML-N supremoNawaz Sharif on key issues and developments, primarily discussed theappointment of new army chief, in addition to analysing the recentstatements from the military’s media wing, government’s strategy to dealwith the PTI’s long march, among other things.
Meanwhile, the Sharif brothers reiterated that no concession – orface-saving as the elder Sharif put it the other day in a tweet – would begiven to the PTI chief in connection with his demand for early elections ora date for the next elections by marching to the garrison and the capitalcity.
Sources privy to the development revealed that PML-N and the coalitionleadership feel that Imran has exhausted all options but he could not getsupport from the powers that be, saying his desperation was evident throughhis recent statements.
A source revealed that the London huddle has, primarily, mulled over newarmy chief’s appointment but also deliberated on the PTI’s long march; whenthe elections suit the incumbent government; what are the areas where it islacking; and when the PML-N supremo could return to Pakistan. “Above all,everything is banking on the army chief’s appointment, that’s the topagenda item,” the source said.
In an interview to a media outlet, the defence minister also confirmed thathe along with the prime minister were in London to seek guidance from theelder Sharif, saying the huddle could not finalise the name of new armychief during its meeting on Thursday but hoped that things in this regardwould settle down soon.
Previously, Asif recalled that the summary for the new military chief wasmoved after November 18, saying there was still a week’s time left andhopefully things would timely and smoothly conclude in this regard.
Sources in the PML-N revealed that the government was clear in its mindthat it wanted stable relations with the establishment, adding the plan wasto achieve “reverse engineering” and to appoint a military chief, who doesnot force the government for early elections.
“Agreeing for the snap polls or giving a date for early elections would betantamount to committing political suicide,” the source said.
Surprising as it may seem, the source said, neither the government nor theestablishment can afford elections right now or anytime soon keeping theprecarious economic situation and floods that have caused havoc in thecountry.
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“Things would not settle until the appointment of the new army chief,” thesource admitted, saying the premier’s sudden departure to the UK was inline with the evolving situation, especially, after army chief beganfarewell meetings.
The PML-N sources said that the incumbent government was looking for amilitary chief, who would help keep things smooth with the establishment,continue the current momentum between the two sides and would not resort toforce early elections on the government as, for the ruling alliance, apolitical death was acceptable in any shape, than a political compromise.
He said that the Sharifs and the top leadership of its allies are mindfulthat the fundamental relationship between the PTI chief and theestablishment was not going to change anytime soon, especially, after thespy chief’s press conference and Imran’s allegations against a militaryofficer in connection with the gun attack at a PTI rally in Wazirabad.
The PML-N sources said that the London huddle gauged that Imran’saccusations against the prime minister, interior minister and the militaryofficer were “nothing more than a political stunt”.
The source said that “long or short march” is not going to change thegovernment’s mind as they cannot afford elections right now after “burningtheir political capital”.
The PML-N and its allies have decided that neither the government wouldgive victory – even perceived victory – to the PTI regarding next generalelections no matter wherever things go from here, saying confrontationsuits the ruling alliance than making a compromise.
“Neither would the government agree for snap polls nor will it agree togive any date for early elections, no matter what route the PTI takes toexert pressure on the government; it’s final,” a source privy to thedevelopments in London said.
The PML-N sources said that the party supremo’s tweet the other day barringPM Shehbaz from engaging in talks and giving face-saving to the PTI chiefin connection with his long march was also endorsed in the meeting.
In the London meeting, the sources said, it was assessed once again thatcompromise on elections does not suit the ruling alliance, saying thegovernment and its allies already had clarity on the political situationbut, since, situation was evolving rapidly, the bigwigs had once gatheredin London to discuss “tactical maneuvering”.
