LONDON: Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider has publicly hailed Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, as “a gift from Allah” and a “very honest person,” offering a strong defence of the country’s military and political leadership during a ceremony in the UK capital.
Addressing an event in London, Governor Haider extended praise to the armed forces, particularly the leadership of General Asim Munir. He linked this leadership to Pakistan’s recent diplomatic achievements, stating, “For the first time after winning the war, the whole world is listening to us.” He contrasted this with the past, alleging, “Our President and Prime Minister had to pay money to have breakfast with American rulers,” while now “the American President himself is inviting the Pakistani leadership.”
On foreign policy, the Governor asserted, “Pakistan does not want war,” but accused India of always imposing it. His remarks come in the aftermath of Pakistan’s recent defeat to India in a high-profile cricket match, a context he did not directly address but which was noted.
Shifting to domestic politics, Governor Haider commented on the post-election government formation. He claimed that former President Asif Ali Zardari had initially offered the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) a chance to form the federal government, and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) only allied with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) after PTI’s refusal.
In a note on provincial harmony, he stated that the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Ali Amin Gandapur, “got respect in Punjab and Sindh, and he did not pass it up,” suggesting positive inter-provincial relations.
The Governor’s sweeping remarks, made on foreign soil, are likely to stir significant political debate back in Pakistan.
