By Aamir Latif
KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan's army on Monday said it is "aghast" at the "defamatory" and "uncalled for" statement about its senior leadership by former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
The military's strong exception came a day after Khan, addressing a rally in northeastern city of Faisalabad on Sunday, claimed that the coalition government of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif wanted to appoint an army chief of its choice because a "strong and patriotic army chief" would question about their "looted wealth."
The ex-premier, who has been on the streets since his government was ousted through a no-confidence vote in April, called for appointment of the new army chief, which is due in November, "on merit."
According to the Constitution, the president appoints the services chiefs on the recommendation of the prime minister.
Khan says he was removed from power in a US-sponsored conspiracy, and has also held Pakistan's powerful military indirectly responsible for his ouster.
"Regrettably, an attempt has been made to discredit and undermine the senior leadership of Pakistan Army at a time when the institution is laying lives for the security and safety of the people of Pakistan every day," the army said in a statement.
It termed attempts to "stir controversies" on the chief of army staff's appointment "most unfortunate" and "disappointing."
The army’s senior leadership, it added, has "decades-long, impeccable and meritorious service" to prove its "patriotic and professional credentials beyond any doubt."
"Politicizing the senior leadership of Pakistan Army and scandalising the process of selection of the COAS is neither in the interest of the state of Pakistan nor of the institution," it maintained.
Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, who was appointed in 2016, is set to retire in November. The army chief’s appointment is meant to be for three years, but Gen. Bajwa was given an additional three-year term in 2019.
Earlier this year, military spokesman Maj. Gen. Babar Iftikhar said the army chief will retire on Nov. 29 at the end of his tenure.
Leaders from Khan's party, meanwhile, claimed his statement never intended to cause harm to the reputation of the institution or its senior leadership.