Rawalpindi: Talking about PTI’s alleged foreign conspiracy, President Alvi said that he was not convinced that United States had lodged a conspiracy to oust Imran.

Ever since his ouster, Imran has said that no-confidence motion against him was part of a foreign conspiracy, claiming that cable received from ambassador on March 7, a day before opposition officially filed the no-trust move against him, was evidence of conspiracy.

During interview with a private TV channel, Alvi said, “I sent that letter to Chief Justice. I am convinced that there must be a probe on it. I am not convinced on fact that a conspiracy was hatched. But I have my doubts and there must be a probe.

“I also said that you won’t get a smoking gun on it,” he stated, adding that he had requested Supreme Court to take into account circumstantial evidence.

Moreover, President Dr Arif Alvi said that “Broader consultation” on appointment of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) was a must so that a consensus could be developed.

In an interview with private TV channel, president desired that a summary of appointment be sent to him after consultation has been completed.

Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa is set to retire on November 29. Outgoing COAS ended all speculations about him getting another extension when at an event in Washington he confirmed that he would be stepping down at end of his extended tenure in November. Next Army Chief’s appointment is at times mentioned as one of major subplots in ongoing political crisis engulfing country. Responding to a question about his role in decision, President Alvi said that he would approve appointment of next COAS in line with procedure laid out in Constitution. He said that in past, too, opposition was consulted on appointment of Army Chief. A similar discussion with then-opposition was held when PTI Chief Imran Khan extended three-year term of General Bajwa in 2019, President pointed out.

In 2019, Alvi went on, National Assembly had approved a law to extend Gen Bajwa’s terms after questions were raised before Supreme Court of Pakistan. “Law must have been introduced in Parliament after closure was reached during a consultation.”

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 11 2022

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