No threat to democracy from Pakistan Army: General Ghafoor

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army poses "no threat" to democracy in the country, a top army General said today as he cautioned the political leaders that there could be a danger to the democratic institution if feelings of the people are not met.     

Military spokesman Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor also defended Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa's remarks on the economy, saying the "economy and security are interlinked".     

"There is no threat to democracy from the Pakistan Army; [but] there could be a threat to democracy if its [democracy's] requirements are not being met," Ghafoor said.     

In Pakistan, there was a civilian supremacy and every decision ranging from appointment of army chief and military operations is coming from the head of the government and being implemented, he said.   

"Civilian supremacy is concerned about who appoints army chief and naval chief...All operations are approved by civilian government. All the state institutions work within law and the final decision is taken by the head of the government," he said, amidst growing unease between the military and the civilian government.

His remarks came a day after Interior Minister Ahsan Iqbal said that Pakistan Army should refrain from commenting on economic issues as "irresponsible" statements could tarnish the country's image globally.   

Iqbal's response came a day after Ghafoor told a private TV channel that, "If the economy is not bad, it is not doing so well either." The powerful army, which enjoys considerable influence over policy decisions in Pakistan, has ruled the country for much of its life since it gained independence 70 years ago. Earlier, the army chief had said that economic stability was tied deeply to Pakistan's security concerns.     

Bajwa had said that national security and economy were interlinked and called for broadening tax base and bringing in financial discipline.     

Reacting to Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif's statement that Pakistan was ready for a joint operation with the US in destroying safe havens of the Haqqani Network if it provides evidence, Ghafoor ruled out any such possibility of joint operations with any country against militants in the country.     

"The joint military operations in Pakistan were out of question. There is no concept of joint operation on Pakistani soil. There was never such cooperation (in the past) and there will not be such cooperation (in future). Full stop," he said. To a question, he said that cooperation in security matters with the US was an ongoing process.     

"Our cooperation with the US is ongoing and we will do everything which is in the interests of Pakistan and security cooperation (with US) is part of it," he said.     

Sharing details of the rescue operation to free the couple, held hostage since 2012, from militants, the spokesman said that the US approached Pakistan through it ambassador in Islamabad and "we moved troops in response." He also cautioned about the social media, saying it has become a tool of new warfare and it is the responsibility of everyone to be careful about it.