Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
Army to maintain distance
ISLAMABAD: The armed forces of the country would maintain a distance, for the time being, from tensions that have resurfaced between the country’s judiciary and the executive over the appointment of judges, according to defence sources. The sources said the armed forces considered it unnecessary to jump in to ease the tensions, as there was no immediate danger to the political system of the country and its institutions. “The army top brass know their limits and will follow the policy of wait and see, giving proper time to the civilian forces to sort out the difference on their own,” according to the sources. However, they said the army would also not let the current imbroglio linger on for unlimited period of time. “The role played by the armed forces at the time of mass movement for the restoration of the judiciary will be replicated, as the army would like to play the role of an honest broker and gain the respect of the masses,” they said. It is generally believed army chief Ashfaq Kayani has been playing a key role to avert showdowns between the government and the opposition. The sources said the military leadership was committed to its professional responsibilities, and had no mind of indulging in political issues. sajjad malik