- ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s army chief has denied accusations that the military is seeking to oust the country’s civilian government amid tension over a secret memo scandal.
Gen. Pervez Ashfaq Kayani said in a statement released Friday the army would continue to support democracy and respect the constitution.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani claimed on Thursday there was a conspiracy under way to oust the government. He did not specifically point to the military, but said the army cannot operate as a “state within a state.”
The army is the strongest institution in Pakistan and has ruled the country for much of its history after carrying out a series of coups.
Current tension was generated by a memo sent to Washington in May asking for help in averting a supposed coup.
