If there was any doubt where the Pakistan Army stood with regards to the May general elections, army chief General Kayani cleared this on Tuesday evening when he addressed participants at the Youm-e-Shuhuda event in Rawalpindi.
The event, held every year to remember the country’s military martyrs, gave Kayani a chance to chide those who have been speaking in favor of the Taliban like PTI’s Imran Khan and PML-N’s Mian Nawaz Sharif. Both leaders advocate dialogue with the militant group.
“The menace of terrorism and extremism has claimed thousands of lives, including those of the army, and the innocent people of Pakistan,” said Kayani, adding that despite all this bloodshed, certain quarters still want to remain embroiled in the debate concerning the causes of this war and who imposed it on Pakistan.
“I would like to ask all those who raise such questions that if a small faction wants to enforce its distorted ideology over the entire nation, then does the fight against this enemy of the state constitute someone else’s war” he argued.
Kayani’s remarks also come at a time when the Taliban has issued a threat to three major political parties — the Pakistan Peoples Party, the Awami National Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, for pursuing a secular agenda. The TTP has said that it will continue to attack the political rallies of these parties. Kayani said that the army would not tolerate these attacks.
{{/usCountry}}Kayani’s remarks also come at a time when the Taliban has issued a threat to three major political parties — the Pakistan Peoples Party, the Awami National Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, for pursuing a secular agenda. The TTP has said that it will continue to attack the political rallies of these parties. Kayani said that the army would not tolerate these attacks.
{{/usCountry}}Candidate escapes suicide bombing
A suicide bomber blew himself up near National People’s Party’s candidate’s car. He escaped unharmed in a suicide bombing in southern Pakistan on Wednesday, which left two people wounded.