PPP denounces appointment of retired generals as ambassadors

ISLAMABAD March 15 (NNI): Pakistan Peoples Party on Wednesday denounced the appointment of seven retired army generals as envoys, saying it would prove detrimental to the moral of civil bureaucracy.

The step is detrimental to the morale of civil bureaucracy particularly the Foreign Office. Militarisation of the civil bureaucracy and diplomatic corps in detrimental both to the long term interests of army and the civil services," former interior minister Maj Gen (R) Naseerullah Babar said in a statement.

He said that seven retired generals are being appointed as ambassadors including Lt. General (r) Asad Durrani, who as ex-chief of the ISI, has been made respondent in a case before the Supreme Court pertaining to the distribution of the ISI funds among politicians on the eve of 1990 elections. Former Chief of the Air Force Air Marshal (R) Asghar Khan is the petitioner in the case.

Babar said Asad Durrani was being sent out as ambassador to protect the former army chief General Mirza Aslam Beg and others from prosecution and punishment in the said case.

He said the ISI funds distribution case was pending before the Supreme Court and the posting out of the country of General Asad Durrani was part of the cover up exercise by the present government. "I also ask Air Marshal Asghar Khan who has filed the petition in Supreme Court to take a clear stand on the issue, his position to support the present government because his son is a cabinet minister not withstanding."

Babar also asked the Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar to stand up firmly and protect the rights and interests of foreign service officers. "Abdul Sattar is morally bound to resist the appointment of seven generals on political consideration which will demoralize the regular foreign service officers."

"After taking over WAPDA, Foreign Office, Khidmat Committees, the Steel Mill and indeed the civil bureaucracy as a whole the military might as well take over the superior judiciary", the former Interior Minister remarked.