Defence Minister condemns malicious campaign against armed forces

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Defence Khawaja Muhammad Asif has condemned the malicious campaign against institutions on social media platforms, saying the armed forces were the protectors of the country.

“Some people launched a campaign on social media against institutions on the Lasbela helicopter crash which is highly condemnable. People who blame the institutions are working on enemy’s agenda,” he said in a presser at Sialkot.

While paying rich tribute to the martyrs of the helicopter crash, the Defence Minister said they laid their precious lives for security of the country. He said security institutions are inevitable for defence and are the guardians of our borders and pride of nation.

Khawaja Asif said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan ended the politics of tolerance in the country. “Do not insult the sacrifices of those who gave their lives for the country and the nation,” he said.

He regretted the smear campaign over the helicopter incident. “Dragging martyrs in political issues is not a good thing for the country. Making them (martyrs) the subject of discussion by using such language is highly condemnable. This is not at all politics,” he said.

He said for the last 75 years, our enemy across the border wants to see us weak. “But people from among us are targeting institutions and spreading false rumors to weaken us. This is an insults for the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for this country and people.”

“These institutions are the protectors of our borders, airs and seas. There may be differences in a society, but abandoning morality, using such vulgar language on social media is against the social and political norms.”

“Despite differences, criticism on institutions should be within the limits of ethics. Do not make a mockery of the institutions. We are proud of the sacrifices of the armed forces.”

While paying tribute to armed forces, the minister said that they were proud of the sacrifices rendered by the armed forces.  He said it was duty of political elders to promote decency in politics rather than destroying our tradition and culture of tolerance.

Responding to a question, he said it was the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to take action against such elements under cybercrime laws. It was tantamount to disgracing those who protect integrity of the country, he remarked.

The minister said it was not enough that a 17-year-old boy confessed that he was ashamed of such a tweet. Such a culture was being promoted which ultimately would destroy the nation’s unity, he said.

Khawaja said promoter of such culture were not political workers rather they have lust for power corridor. Such people believed that the country could only survive if they were in power, he said.

He went on to say that General Sarfraz would be remembered in the history of Balochistan with golden words as he helped improve the situation and established goods relation between Baloch and Pashtuns.

Regarding the president absence in the funeral of martyrs officers, the minister said it was his personal act and the entire nation acknowledged the sacrifices of the martyrs.

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