Pakistan army tells Imran Khan's rivals it'll offer 'chai-paani' if they march on its HQ

On a day when Opposition in Pakistan took out an anti-government rally at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lashing out at Imran Khan-led government, country's army issued a statement. Pakistan army's chief spokesperson - DG-ISPR - on Monday said that Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) leers will be offered 'chai-paani' and looked after if y march towards Rawalpindi, asserting that country's powerful institution was t interfering in politics.

PDM, especially Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz chief and former PM Nawaz Sharif, has often accused Army of meddling in country's politics and controlling 'puppet' Prime Minister Imran Khan. Major General Babar Iftikhar, spokesman of army's media wing - Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), me remarks during a press conference in Rawalpindi, where Pakistan Army's General Hequarters is located.

'We will offer m chai-paani'

"I don't see a reason for (m) coming to Pindi. And if at all y want to come, we will offer m chai-paani (refreshments) and look after m. What more can I say?" Maj Gen Iftikhar said while responding to a question about threat of PDM to march on Rawalpindi.

According to a PTI report, his remarks came days after PDM president Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that opposition alliance's movement would longer be directed only at Prime Minister Imran Khan-led government but also "his backers", in an apparent reference to army. He hinted that a possible long march to capital "could also be to Rawalpindi".

PDM, an alliance of 11 opposition parties, was formed against Pakistan Army's interference in politics and installing "puppet" Prime Minister Khan through a manipulated election.

'We are t worried': Pakistan Army

When asked why action was t being taken against those targeting army, spokesman said armed forces were doing ir job and t worried about such criticism. "When it comes to criticism or allegations levelled, army is doing its job. As to why are we t responding to that, only such allegations are responded to which have some weight or are based on facts.

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"We have our hands full and we neir want to get involved in such things r will we. We have stayed course [and] we will stay course. re is thing to worry about; we are t worried," he ded. military has constantly denied meddling in country's politics. Imran Khan also denies that army helped him win election in 2018. 

Prime Minister Khan faces a serious challenge as PDM set a January 31 deline for him to step down or face a "Long March" to Islamab. PDM has held massive rallies in major cities to seek Khan's ouster and press powerful military to stop interfering in politics.

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