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Army is an asset: Aziz

Nirupama Subramanian

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Monday warned against criticism of the Pakistan Army, describing it as an "asset" of the nation that had an unshakeable place in the heart of the Pakistani people.

"It does not suit to any Pakistani to talk against the country's army, as it affects our defence, integrity and prestige. It is an important asset of the nation," the Prime Minister told journalists in response to a question at a press conference.

Among the many slogans heard in the Supreme Court on Saturday at an event in which ousted Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary spoke on the independence of the judiciary, some targeted the army.

Most of the slogans raised at protests triggered by the March 9 ouster of Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary have been aimed at President Pervez Musharraf, but protestors have also attacked the "uniform."

Many observers have said this is the first time that people are coming out openly against the army and its pre-eminent position in Pakistan.

Mr. Aziz condemned the slogans against the army at the Bar Association and urged the Supreme Court to take up the matter. He said the Court had allowed the Supreme Court Bar Association, which had organised the event, to use the auditorium on condition there would be no politics or character assassination.

The army always came to the rescue when the nation faced problems, Mr. Aziz said, "be it an earthquake, flood or any natural disaster."

Mr. Aziz said the feelings of Pakistani people towards the army would always remain positive, and no one could change that. We have lot of respect for the army," he said.

Benazir's cases

Meanwhile, the Pakistan People's Party has responded strongly to a statement by Mr. Aziz to CNN that Benazir Bhutto could not participate in elections even if she returned as a number of cases were pending against her.

Mr. Aziz said Ms. Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif should consult their legal advisers before returning to the country.

Leader of the Opposition in the Senate or the Upper House, and a leading member of the PPP Raza Rabbani said Ms. Bhutto would return before the election and also participate in the polls.

In a statement, Mr. Rabbani said the cases were politically motivated, and "despite 10 years of witch hunting, media trial and squandering of taxpayers' money on tarnishing her image", she had not been convicted in a single case.

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