ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military on Thursday called out senior politicians for what it called “imprudent” remarks about the institution and a top officer, Lieutenant General Faiz Hameed, the current corps commander in Peshawar and a former chief of the powerful Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) spy agency.
The statement from the army, the second in just days cautioning politicians against dragging the military in politics, came in the wake of public remarks about Hameed by senior politicians, including former president and Pakistan Peoples Party leader Asif Ali Zardari, and ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz party senior leader Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
“Peshawar Corps is an illustrious formation of Pakistan Army spearheading national war against terrorism for over two decades . One of the most competent and professional officers is entrusted with the responsibility to lead this prestigious formation,” the Pakistan army’s media wing said in a statement.
“Imprudent comments made by important senior politicians recently about Corps Commander Peshawar are very inappropriate. Such statements undermine the honour and morale of institution and its leadership.”
The military said it expected senior politicians to refrain from passing “objectionable remarks” against the army and its officers.
Hameed has variously been in the limelight in recent years, and was widely believed to have had a close relationship with former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who was ousted from power last month in a no-confidence vote in parliament.
The Pakistan army denies its officials interfere in politics and has urged politicians not to drag it into "political discourse."
On Thursday, PML-N Vice President Maryam Nawaz Sharif, when asked by reporters whether Hameed would be in the running for the next army chief, said the new chief should be a competent person with a “flawless” reputation.
Former president Asif Ali Zardari also took a jibe at Hameed earlier this week, saying “he is now sidelined.”
On Wednesday, defence minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif renewed debate on the new army chief’s appointment when he said in an interview that if the army recommended Hameed as a candidate for the chief's post, the government would consider it.
Pakistan’s current army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa, is scheduled to retire in November. Military spokesperson Maj Gen Babar Iftikhar has announced that Bajwa will neither be seeking, nor accept, an extension.