Pakistan Army withdraws tweet 'rejecting' Sharif's directive

The Pakistan Army on Wednesday "withdrew" a tweet rejecting a Prime Minister House enquiry report on the Dawn leaks story, indicating a thaw between the civil and military leadership in the country.

"The tweet on 29 April 2017 was not aimed at any government office or person," said an ISPR press release on Wednesday.

The ISPR said that recommendations of the Inquiry Committee Report, duly approved by the Prime Minister, "have been implemented, which has settled the Dawn leaks issue".

"Accordingly, ISPR's said Twitter post stands withdrawn and has become infructuous.

"Pakistan Army reiterates its firm commitment and continued resolve to uphold the constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and support the democratic process."

Reacting to the notification from the Prime Minister's House regarding Special Advisor Tariq Fatemi's dismissal, Director General ISPR Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor tweeted on April 29 that the Army had "rejected" the notification, calling it "incomplete".

In October last year, citing unnamed sources, Cyril Almeida of Dawn had reported that at a high-level meeting on national security, the civilian leaders had spoken about the "growing diplomatic isolation" of Pakistan for lack of action against some militant groups.

The news report had whipped up a storm, which the federal government denied as "fabricated and planted" and the military brass called it a breach of trust on national security.

--IANS

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