Pakistan: Rumors Of Coup Silenced
By KUNA
Rumors of possible military coup in Pakistan were silenced as the military chief Ashfaq Pervez Kayani telephoned President Asif Ali Zardari and inquired about his health. Also, the Prime Minister shrugged off all reports of pre-scheduled elections.
According to official press statement, Kayani telephoned Zardari and inquired about his health. The President last week suffered a brain stroke and was rushed to a hospital in Dubai, UAE.
He was shifted to his home from hospital but doctors advised him for rest and more medical tests, told his spokesman Farhatullah Baber to media. He said the President will arrive back in Pakistan in next two weeks.
Meanwhile, the President’s absence has sparked rumors that the military wants to replace him for his alleged role in Memogate scandal. The Memogate scandal has pitted military against civilian leadership.
The President reportedly sought America’s support against military through Pakistan’s Ambassador in US Hussain Haqqani. The ambassador resigned from his post and is currently being tried in the court.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani talking to newsmen on Saturday ruled out any threat to the government from military and also the possibility of elections before 2013.
Noteworthy, the Prime Minister and the military chief on Friday night held three-hour long meeting to discuss the current political situation.
An official press statement, released after the meeting, said that the prime minister took serious note of rumors regarding a confrontation between the civil and military institutions over the memo issue and strongly rejected them.
Prime MinisterGilani reiterated that the government and its institutions remained committed to their constitutional roles and obligated to the democratic and prosperous future of the country.
