The powerful Pakistan Army on Wednesday asked the weak civilian government led by Yousaf Raza Gilani of the Pakistan People’s Party to “shut its mouth” or face “grievous consequences”.
Moments after this stern warning, Army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani appointed Brig. Sarfaraz Ali as the new commander of 111 Brigade, known as the “coup brigade”. The 111 Brigade is responsible for the security of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, but has been mobilised in the past to stage coups.
The last military regime led by Pervez Musharraf ended in 2008. Mr Mush-arraf was succeeded by Gen. Kayani as Army chief.
The PPP government had given Gen. Kayani a full three-year extension last year, and also extended the tenure of the Inter-Services Intelligence chief, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha, by one year.
Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani earlier this week told China’s People’s Daily that Gen. Kayani and the ISI chief had acted unlawfully by making unilateral submissions to the ongoing Supreme Court inquiry into the “Memogate” controversy. Mr Gilani said the two should have sought the government’s approval first.
The probe into the unsig-ned memo which allegedly sought the American military’s help to curb the Pakistan armed forces following the killing of Osama bin Laden in May once again pitted the Army aga-inst the civilian leadership.
“There can be no allegation more serious than what the honourable Prime Minister has levelled against COAS (Chief of Army Staff) and DG (director-general) ISI ... and has unfortunately charged the officers for violation of the Constitution”, said the Army’s statement.
“This has very serious ra-mifications with potentially grievous consequences for the country”, it added.
Following this statement, Mr Gilani issued an order on Wednesday sacking the defence secretary, Lt. Gen. Naeem Khalid Lodhi (Retd), a statement from the PM’s house said. The reason cited was “misconduct” and “taking unlawful steps”. Lt. Gen. Lodhi, who is believed to be close to Gen. Kayani, was also blamed for “causing misunderstandings among state institutions” (meaning the Army).
The PM’s statement added that the cabinet secretary, Mr Nargis Sethi, “will assume the additional responsibilities of the defence secretary”. Mr Sethi is considered to be close to Mr Gilani.
Sources here claim, however, that despite the air of confrontation, the Army might not actually intend to take over the government, but Gen. Kayani has made it repeatedly clear that the Army would not compromise on “matters of national interest”.
Gen. Kayani has called a meeting of the Army’s principal staff officers as well as the powerful corps commanders in Rawalpindi on January 12 (Thursday).