ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Association, headed by Retired Vice Admiral Ahmed Tasnim, jumped into the fray on Tuesday by supporting the call for dissolution of assemblies, formation of a caretaker government, introduction of electoral reforms and appointment of an independent election commission to hold fresh elections.

The association’s executive council held a meeting in Rawalpindi to discuss ‘current crises-like political situation prevailing in the country’. The participants said political leaders had failed to rise above party affiliations at the cost of country’s interests,” says a press release issued by the association.

Also read: Islamabad march: Imran threatens to storm PM House unless Nawaz steps down

According to it, the government and parliament have failed to perform their institutional functions and fulfil their responsibilities to address serious issues being raised through public protests.

The ex-servicemen, who call themselves ‘former military strategists’ expressed concern at the failure of the government to implement orders of the additional session judge of Lahore to register the FIR of the Model Town killings, and termed it an instance of contempt of court and breach of fundamental rights of people enshrined in the constitution.

They urged the Punjab government to immediately issue directives for implementation of the court orders and said the accused could claim innocence at the trial.

They said enough doubts had been raised regarding the fairness of last year’s general elections. The continuing process of disqualifications of elected members, including some ministers, is a testimony to those doubts.

They advised the federal government to take initiative and resolve the crisis through political and constitutional means while avoiding use of force.

The association also offered its services to act as facilitator to defuse the political crisis.

The meeting was attended by retired Admiral Fasih Bokhari, Lt Gen (retd) Naeem Akbar, Air Marshal (retd) Masood Akhtar, Brig (retd) Mohammad, Brig (retd) Mian Mahmud, Brig (retd) Masud ul Hassan, Brig (retd) Simon Sharaf and Major (retd) Farouk Hamid Khan.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2014