Crucial decisions of the Pakistan army, the real rulers of Pakistan, are taken in the Corps Commanders conferences which are held regularly, and in addition whenever the army chief requisitions it. The meetings, which are closed door and highly confidential, are chaired by the army chief, who is a full general, and the participants are the corps commanders and principal staff officers, who are of the rank of lieutenant general. No one else is allowed to attend.
The decision to arrest former Prime Minister Imran Khan was almost certainly taken in one of these meetings, but since they are always closed door and highly confidential, no one, apart from the participants, know what actually transpired.
I have therefore used my imagination and written this fictional and hypothetical account of what occurred in the meeting.
The Chairman, Gen Asim Munir, opens the proceedings.
Gen Munir ” Gentlemen, we are meeting today to discuss the prevailing political situation in our country, particularly when it has taken such an ugly turn. I would request you gentleman to speak freely, and suggest what course of action should the army adopt ”
Lt Gen X ” Sir, may I have permission to speak ”
Gen Munir ” Certainly X, say whatever you have in mind ”.
Lt Gen X ” Sir, I may be pardoned for using strong language, and I want to make it clear that I am not in any way aligned with any political party, but some of the recent utterances of Mr Imran Khan, head of the PTI, about the army are highly objectionable and just not acceptable to anyone with self respect.
I have discussed this matter with many of the participants in this meeting, and also with several other army officers, who are in agreement with me, and have asked me to be their spokesperson here.
Mr Imran Khan has made false, baseless, and malicious statements publicly that Maj Gen Faisal Naseer of the ISI twice tried to get him murdered. He has also alleged that Gen Naseer was involved in the brutal killing of TV anchor Arshad Sharif in Kenya, and has said that Gen Naseer stripped Senator Azam Swati naked, and inflicted severe torture on him.
Sir, we all know Gen Naseer, who has the highest character, and he would never do things like these. We regard allegations against him as allegations against all officers of the Pakistan army. If we do not do anything about this it means we admit being murderers ”
Lt Gen Y ” Mr Imran Khan has also attacked our former chief Gen Bajwa and accused him of hiring former Pakistani ambassador to the US, Hussain Haqqaani, to lobby against him there ”
Lt Gen Z ” Mr Khan has also claimed that then military establishment was in contact with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz chief Nawaz Sharif to topple his government and the plot against him became clear following the removal of Lt Gen (retd.) Faiz Hameed as ISI chief in October 2021. He has alleged that Gen Bajwa was playing a double game, and he discovered later that even PTI’s members were being given different messages ”.
Gen Munir ” Gentlemen, are you suggesting that we bump off Mr Khan ? I personally am not in favour of that ”Lt Gen X ” No sir, all we are suggesting is that Mr Khan be taken care of. Things cannot be allowed to continue like this. We too have our self respect. How long must we hang our heads in shame before the public ? ”
Gen Munir ” O.K. I think we are all agreed on that. Mr Khan’s insults of Pakistan’s army have now crossed their limits. I suggest Lt.Gen X be made in charge of a task force to sort out Mr Khan ”Everyone agrees.
Gen Munir ” X, organise this task force as soon as you can, and take anyone from the army for this. There is already a NAB warrant for arrest of Imran Khan which we had covertly arranged for, but the police seems to be half hearted in executing it. Tell the head of the Rangers to do it within 48 hours. Tell him the army will not tolerate any excuses.
Also, tell the Chief Justice of Pakistan to order all judges not to release Imran Khan until the army permits. Tell him failure to do so will have very serious consequences for both him and any judge who orders Mr Khan”s release.
Anything further gentlemen ? ”
No one replies.
Gen Munir ” Very well gentlemen, this meeting is closed ”
Situation after Imran Khan’s arrest: Pakistan mein PTI officials ki dhadaadhad giraftariyan ho rahi hain. Pak fauj ne talwaar nikaal li hai. Ab maidan-e-jang se bhag jaane mein hi aqlmandi hai. Hindi nazm ‘Haldighati’ ka yeh misra yaad aata hai ”Tha shor maut se bacho bacho, talwaar chali talwaar chali”Work is said to be in progress to declare PTI a terrorist organisation. Having assiduously built up PTI from 1996, this moorkh Imran Khan has practically destroyed it within a few months by taking on the Pak army. To save their own skins, there will soon be a largescale exodus of PTI members from the party
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