ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army is in favour of peaceful dialogue for putting an end to the protracted Faizabad Interchange sit-in, said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major Gen Asif Ghafoor Bajwa on Wednesday amid calls by the opposition for army’s intervention.
However, it was the government’s prerogative what line of action it wanted to take on the issue, said the army’s media wing chief, while talking to a private news channel.
Maj Gen Ghafoor’s statement came following the suggestion of army’s intervention to settle the dispute by opposition leader in National Assembly Khurshid Shah. He said it was the government’s constitutional right to call the army when in need.
Expressing the Pakistan Army’s commitment to upholding the constitution, the major general said the armed forces would not let anarchy prevail in the country, adding that the Pakistan Army had always worked for the welfare of the country and it would continue to do so.
The ISPR spokesperson said the army discouraged institutional conflicts as it made the country wake; however, state’s safety “outweighs all institutions”.
Meanwhile, a major breakthrough is expected anytime as officials have reported positive progress in talks between the government and protesters to end the blockade of Faizabad Interchange.
More than 2,000 protesters have been blocking the crucial flyover linking the federal capital with Rawalpindi for over two weeks.
The situation has been causing immense trouble for the commuters and dwellers of the twin cities.
An official of the religious affairs ministry familiar with the development told a media outlet on Wednesday evening that “good news” was expected soon.
When asked if Tehreek-e-Labbaik would call off the protest, the official, who wished to remain anonymous, asked to “wait for the official announcement”.
The development comes a day after government notified a six-member clerics committee, headed by Pir Haseenuddin Shah, to hold talks with the protesters. The committee only includes clerics from the Barelvi sect and has no representative of the government.
Published in Daily Times, November 23rd 2017.
