No Evidence Of Any Conspiracy Against Previous Govt: DG ISPR.

ISLAMABAD -- Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Babar Iftikhar said Tuesday that both the National Security Committee's meetings were told in explicit words that there is no evidence of conspiracy.

Talking to a private news channel on Tuesday, he said freedom of expression is the right of everyone, but no one should distort the facts and resort to lies. He said Pakistan and China have strong strategic and defense ties and the security of China Pakistan Economic Corridor has not been reduced.

The military's spokesperson lamented that propaganda was initiated against the army and the military leadership on social media. '[They were] briefed that there was no conspiracy or evidence of any kind [against the then government], nothing like that happened. Participants were told in detail that there was no evidence of any conspiracy,' said the DG ISPR.

He acknowledged that the army and its leadership were being targeted through 'baseless rumours' and propaganda which is very unfortunate and shouldn't happen. He said that everyone was entitled to their opinion, but no one had the right to 'reject facts and target an institution and its personalities on the basis of lies.'

The DG ISPR said there has been no increase in the defense budget since 2020 and Pakistan Army is reducing its expenditure. He said Pakistan Army returned Rs6 billion to the government during the Corona pandemic last year.

About the reports of former president general retired Pervez Musharraf's ailing health condition, Major General Babar Iftikhar said that the military leadership believes that the former army chief should return to Pakistan.

'In such a situation the institution and leadership's stance is that Pervez Musharraf should return,' said DG ISPR. The military's spokesperson, during an interview with a private television channel, said the final call for the return of the ex-president - who resides in the United Arab Emirates - to Pakistan would be made by his family.

'We have contacted his family. Once his family responds, we can make the required arrangements,' the military's spokesperson said as he prayed for Musharraf's speedy recovery.

The Pakistan Army's spokesperson further highlighted that the Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa's visit to China was very important and added that China has played a crucial role in increasing Pakistan's defence prowess.

Maj Gen Iftikhar emphasised that ties between Islamabad and...