ISLAMABAD - Former army chief general (retd) Mirza Aslam Beg has claimed that PTI Chairman Imran Khan and PAT chief Dr Tahirul Qadri conspired with the US to create chaos in the country and pave way for military coup, however, Chief of the Army Staff General Raheel Sharif foiled their ‘conspiracy’.
In an interview with a private TV channel on Sunday, the former army chief claimed that the conspiracy was hatched by America in collusion with Britain, Canada and Iran, but the military leadership was aware of it.
Beg said that the ‘conspirators’ wanted military to intervene and seize power but General Raheel made correct decision at the right time, otherwise, the country would have to suffer a ‘huge loss’. He also termed Imran and Qadri’s demands as ‘extra-constitutional’.
Beg also claimed that the Army has never expressed willingness to form country’s foreign policy.
He said all those people who were with former military ruler Pervez Musharraf are now standing besides Imran and Qadri. Pervez Musharraf wanted a liberal government in the country, he added.
“Some politicians want a change in the country with the help of retired officers,” he maintained.
He lauded Army Chief General Raheel Sharif for his support to democracy. "Conspirators want to drag the Army into politics but they failed in their nefarious designs,” he stated.
"The democratic government should take pragmatic decisions and should not involve the Army into politics as PPP-led government tried to bring ISI under the control of Interior Ministry but later the decision was taken back," he said.