After criticism, ex-premier Imran Khan says his party wants Pakistan Army to be 'strong'
The Hindu
The powerful army, which has ruled the coup-prone country for more than half of its 75-plus years of existence, has hitherto wielded considerable power in the matters of security and foreign policy.
After criticism over anti-army remarks, former prime minister Imran Khan said on Sunday that his party wants the Pakistan Army to be "strong" and his "constructive" criticism was not intended to harm the powerful force as he demanded early elections to end the political impasse in the country.
On the third day of his long march dubbed as Haqeeqi Azadi March, the 70-year-old chief of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led his supporters towards Islamabad while addressing them at various places, targeting his opponents for alleged corruption.
Addressing his supporters, Mr. Khan said that his criticism against the establishment had been constructive.
"I want the army to be strong. We need a strong army. My constructive criticism is not [intended] to harm them," he asserted.
Mr. Khan also clarified that he was being misunderstood, days after he was criticised by the government for his anti-army stance that made headlines in Pakistan and India.
"India don't misunderstand, we stand with our army," he said, adding that the neighbouring country was celebrating after the spy agency ISI chief Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum's press conference as it believes that the army and Imran Khan are having "a face-off".
"I want to tell India that this army is ours and I can never be against it," he said.